Frequent releases during the mid-60s included many cover versions of popular songs, as well as a few group-penned hits and many songs written especially for them by professional songwriters.
The Hollies were formed in 1962 in Lancashire, England. By 1965,the group had been established as one of Britain's pre-eminent singles bands. As part of the British Invasion, they enjoyed huge chart success in many countries in the mid-Sixties, releasing a string of classic harmony-pop hits including Bus Stop I'm Alive, a UK No. 1, I Can't Let Go, Stop Stop Stop, Carrie Anne, On A Carousel, Look Through Any Window, and Jennifer Eccles.
In 1972, the hit Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress reached #2 in the US. Their last mega hit was He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, hitting #1 in the UK in 1988 (albeit 19 years after its first release).
The band are noted for their longevity, with their 2006 tour chalking up 45 years. Despite numerous changes in line-up, Tony Hicks & Bobby Elliott have been with the band almost from its inception.
Lead singer Allan Clarke left The Hollies in 1971, though he rejoined the band at later times. He was eventually replaced by Carl Wayne, ex lead singer of The Move, who passed away in 2004. Wayne was replaced by Peter Howarth. The 2007 line up is, Ian Parker on keyboards, Ray Stiles (Ex Mud, remember 'Tiger Feet') on bass guitar and Alan Coates on guitar and vocals by Steve Lauri.
Original bass player Eric Haydock died in January 2018.
The Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2010.
Allan Clarke (vocals, 1962-71, 1973-99), Graham Nash (guitar, vocals, 1962-68, 1983), Eric Haydock (bass, 1962-66), Vick Farrell (guitar, 1962), Don Rathbone (drums, 1962-63), Tony Hicks (guitar, banjo, mandolin, electric sitar, vocals, 1963-present), Bobby Elliott (drums, percussion, 1963-present), Bernie Calvert (bass, 1966-81), Terry Sylvester (guitar, vocals, 1969-81), Mikael Rickfors (vocals, 1971-73), Denis Haines (bass, 1981-86), Alan Coates (guitar, 1981-2004), Ray Stiles (bass, vocals, 1986-present), Ian Parker (keyboards, vocals, 1991-present), Carl Wayne (vocals, 2000-04), Peter Howarth (vocals, acoustic guitar, 2004-present), Steve Lauri (guitar, vocals, 2004-present)
Lucy
The Hollies Lyrics
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He said hold on, my friend
You've gotta know what I'm knowing
Please come right away
He said Lucy's been seeing me
And things just ain't right
You'll have to hold things together
Now should I tell her or keep it inside
Making her happy by feeding her lines
How am I gonna tell the children
That Mama's goin' away
I couldn't love another woman
Oh Lucy, please stay
If I'm gonna lose you
After all this time
I'm gonna make life more beautiful
I'm gonna make you, make you feel fine
If we make tomorrow
We'll make it better every way
We'll keep on building
'Cause we're living day to day
Now should I tell her or keep it inside
Making her happy by feeding her lines
How am I gonna tell the children
That Mama's goin' away
I couldn't love another woman
Oh Lucy, please stay
I couldn't love another woman
Lucy please stay
Baby, baby
Baby, Lucy, please oh, won't you stay
I need you, I need you
Please don't go, please don't go
Lucy please, please won't you stay
I want you to know that I love you
I love you
I'm gonna miss your sweet love
The Hollies’ song “Lucy” tells the story of a man receiving devastating news about his wife, Lucy, from the doctor. He is told that Lucy’s health is declining rapidly, and she doesn’t have much time left. The man is now tasked with the difficult decision to either tell her the truth or keep it inside and make her happy by feeding her lines. He is also faced with the challenge of telling their children that their mother is dying. The man struggles to come to terms with the possibility of losing the love of his life, and he vows to make every moment count for the rest of their time together. The song is a touching portrayal of the heartbreak and sorrow that comes with losing a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a call from the doctor
Received a phone call from the doctor
He said hold on, my friend
Doctor asked to wait for a moment
You've gotta know what I'm knowing
Doctor wants to share information that is important to know
Please come right away
Doctor requested immediate presence
He said Lucy's been seeing me
Doctor informed about Lucy being his patient
And things just ain't right
Doctor found something wrong with Lucy
You'll have to hold things together
Doctor suggested to keep everything stable
'Cause Lucy ain't much time
Lucy is running out of time
Now should I tell her or keep it inside
Uncertain about whether to inform Lucy or not
Making her happy by feeding her lines
Pretending to be happy to calm Lucy down
How am I gonna tell the children
Worried about the way to inform children about Lucy's deteriorating health
That Mama's goin' away
Informed children about their mother's sickness and that she won't be with them for long
I couldn't love another woman
Can't imagine loving another woman
Oh Lucy, please stay
Begging Lucy to stay
If I'm gonna lose you
Acknowledgment of Lucy's deteriorating health
After all this time
After the time spent together for so many years
I'm gonna make life more beautiful
Will try to make life more beautiful for Lucy in her remaining days
I'm gonna make you, make you feel fine
Will help Lucy feel the best she can
If we make tomorrow
Planning for the future
We'll make it better every way
Will try to make every day better
We'll keep on building
Will continue to work towards a positive life
'Cause we're living day to day
Life is unpredictable, so we should cherish each day
Baby, baby
Affectionate call to Lucy
Baby, Lucy, please oh, won't you stay
Begging Lucy to stay
I need you, I need you
Expressing dependency on Lucy
Please don't go, please don't go
Begging Lucy not to leave
Lucy please, please won't you stay
Begging Lucy to stay
I want you to know that I love you
Expressing love for Lucy
I love you
Reiterating love for Lucy
I'm gonna miss your sweet love
Will miss Lucy's love and affection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, TERRY SYLVESTER, TONY HICKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Carrie Anne
A nice and catchy song by The Hollies.
Philip Kassabian
on Bus Stop
Yet another great Hollies song.
Philip Kassabian
on Stop Stop Stop
One of the best bands from the 60's no doubt.