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)
Man With No Expression
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you ever ridden horses through a rainstorm
or led a lion through a busy street bazaar
There are many things I'd like to turn you on to
but somehow I feel you're safer where you are
If you're looking for examples to refer to
there are many things to make your life much brighter
and I'd bet there's many more inside your mind
There's a man I know with no expression no not none at all
There's a man I know with no expression no not none at all
But I've never seen this man laughing
and come to think of it I've never seen him cry
But I might by sitting hear him singing
By and by he'll stop and sigh
he'll feel a breeze and then begin to freeze
as he thinks goodbye
Have you ever ridden horses through a rainstorm
or led a lion through a busy street bazaar
There are many things I'd like to turn you on to
but somehow I feel you're safer where you are
There's a man I know with no expression no not none at all
There's a man with no expression
man with no expression
man with no expression
The Hollies's song "Man With No Expression" is a reflective piece about a man who shows no emotion or facial expression. The first verse describes this man as having a completely blank face, with no hint of any feeling or emotion. The second verse is an invitation to the listener to experience new things, but the singer gets the sense that the man with no expression is content to stay where he is, even though there are many things that could make his life brighter.
The chorus repeats the central theme: the man has no expression, the singer has never seen him laugh or cry, and he seems frozen in his emotions. The third verse adds a bit more color to the character by suggesting that he occasionally sings and sighs, but is still largely cut off from his emotions. The final repetition of the chorus feels more desperate, as though the singer is trying to will some sort of feeling out of the man.
In some ways, the song feels like a warning against becoming too closed off from one's emotions, but it's also acknowledging that not everyone experiences the world in the same way. At its heart, "Man With No Expression" is a contemplative piece about the complexities of human emotion and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a man I know with no expression no not none at all
I am acquainted with a man who displays no emotions whatsoever.
Have you ever ridden horses through a rainstorm or led a lion through a busy street bazaar
Have you ever experienced something exhilarating and profound?
There are many things I'd like to turn you on to but somehow I feel you're safer where you are
Although there are many exciting things in life to explore, I sense that you prefer to stay within your comfort zone.
If you're looking for examples to refer to take a look around yourself I'm sure you'll find there are many things to make your life much brighter and I'd bet there's many more inside your mind
If you seek inspiration, there are plenty of positive things around you and within your imagination that can enhance your life.
But I've never seen this man laughing and come to think of it I've never seen him cry
It is curious that despite knowing this man well, I cannot recall observing him expressing joy or sadness.
But I might by sitting hear him singing By and by he'll stop and sigh he'll feel a breeze and then begin to freeze as he thinks goodbye
However, I have noticed that he can become emotional by singing and can feel melancholic when sensing the passing of time.
There's a man with no expression man with no expression man with no expression
Once again, I emphasize that this man does not exhibit any emotions.
Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.