Man With No Expression
The Hollies Lyrics


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There's a man I know with no expression no not none at all

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
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

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

Overall Meaning

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.
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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.