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)
Magic Woman Touch
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All my life thrown away
Keep searching for the same old clue
How can I get to you
[Chorus:]
Cast your spell upon me one more time
I wanna feel your magic woman touch
I wanna feel your magic woman touch
2. I know there's been a change in me
Ask me why I don't know
My friends no longer speak to me
Pass me by I don't know
[Chorus]
3. I've made up my mind
On what I'm gonna do
This feeling inside
Making it all right, making it all right
Making it all right with me
[Chorusx2 1/2]
The Hollies's song "Magic Woman Touch" is a song about a man who is in search of something or someone that can give meaning to his life. He is looking back at his past and feels like he has wasted his life trying to find the same old thing that he can't seem to find. He wants to feel like he has a purpose and he is asking for the magic woman touch to help him get to where he needs to be.
In the chorus, he is asking for the magic woman touch one more time. He wants to feel the power of this woman who can cast a spell on him and give him direction in his life. He has been searching for a long time and he is ready for a change. He wants to feel alive again and he believes that this magic woman touch will give him that.
The third verse shows that the man has made up his mind on what he wants to do. He finally feels like he has found the right path and he is making everything right with himself. He doesn't need to search anymore because he has finally found what he was looking for.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking through at yesterday
Reflecting on the past, the singer feels like their life has been wasted.
All my life thrown away
The singer feels like they've wasted their life and missed opportunities.
Keep searching for the same old clue
Despite feeling like they've missed opportunities, the singer is still searching for a way to feel complete.
How can I get to you
The artist is searching for a way to connect with someone they desire.
Cast your spell upon me one more time
The artist wants to be enchanted by someone's magic once again.
I wanna feel your magic woman touch
The singer desires to feel the touch and influence of a woman who is magical to them.
I know there's been a change in me
The singer recognizes a shift or transformation within themselves.
Ask me why I don't know
Despite recognizing the change, the artist doesn't know the reason behind it.
My friends no longer speak to me
The artist's relationships with their friends have changed and they no longer communicate.
Pass me by I don't know
People who the artist used to be close to are now distant and disconnected from them.
I've made up my mind
The singer has made a decision about something.
On what I'm gonna do
The artist has decided what actions they will take.
This feeling inside
The singer has an intense feeling within them.
Making it all right, making it all right
The intense feeling inside the singer is helping them to feel better or more complete.
Making it all right with me
The singer feels like they are coming to terms with their past and present due to the intense feeling inside them.
Cast your spell upon me one more time
The artist wants to be enchanted by someone's magic once again.
I wanna feel your magic woman touch
The artist desires to feel the touch and influence of a woman who is magical to them.
Cast your spell upon me one more time
The singer wants to be enchanted by someone's magic once again.
I wanna feel your magic woman touch
The singer desires to feel the touch and influence of a woman who is magical to them.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
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.