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 Without A Heart 1972
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pick yourself off the floor, it don't suit you so don't be blind
One lonely with four walls closing in
You've been on your own since she told you to go
I'm telling you why and what for
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart, yeah
Just a lonely
Man, can't you see what you did to yourself
Thinking it was so big at the time?
I could have told you but I wasn't there
You shout her the wrong kind of line
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart, yeah
Just a lonely
Pick yourself off of the floor
It don't suit you to be in that frame of mind
Try to be more like a man with respect
Get on the right track, don't be blind
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart, yeah
Just a lonely
Man in a room with four walls closing in
It's a room without any door
You've been on your own since she told you to go
I'm telling you why and what for
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart, yeah
Just a lonely
Man in a room, can't you see what you did?
Pick yourself off the floor, it don't suit you so don't be blind
The lyrics of "Man Without A Heart" by The Hollies depict a man who is struggling to come to terms with his actions that have led him to be alone without love. The line "Man in a room, can't you see what you did?" suggests that the man is in a state of regret and is incapable of acknowledging his mistakes which have led him to be in the current state. The following line "Pick yourself off the floor, it don't suit you so don't be blind" is motivational and urges him to take control of his life and rise above his faulty behavior.
The next verse portrays the struggles of the singer who is isolated in a room with "four walls closing in" and could not find a way to escape because there is no door. The line "You shout her the wrong kind of line" implies that he said something that hurt the person he loved, which eventually led to her leaving him. The recurring chorus "You're a man without a heart, just a lonely man without a heart" emphasizes his feelings of isolation and loneliness due to his past mistakes.
Overall, the song is trying to tell the listener to learn from past mistakes, take responsibility, and work toward becoming a better person. It portrays the consequences of actions that can lead to loneliness if not taken care of.
Line by Line Meaning
Man in a room, can't you see what you did?
You are trapped in a room, surrounded by the consequences of your actions. Can't you see the mess that you have made?
Pick yourself off the floor, it don't suit you so don't be blind
You need to get yourself together and face your problems. Don't let your current state blind you from finding a solution.
One lonely with four walls closing in
You are completely alone and isolated, with nowhere to go and no one to turn to.
It's a room without any door
You are truly trapped in your situation, with no escape or easy way out.
You've been on your own since she told you to go
You have been alone and lost ever since she left you. You have lost your way and your sense of self.
I'm telling you why and what for
I am here to give you the tough love you need. I am telling you why you are in this situation and what you need to do to get out of it.
You're a man without a heart
You have lost touch with your emotions and your ability to love. You have become cold and distant, and it is pushing people away from you.
Just a lonely man without a heart, yeah
You are just a shell of a person, with no love or companionship in your life. You are completely alone and disconnected from the world.
Man, can't you see what you did to yourself
You are the only one to blame for your situation. Your actions and choices have led you to where you are now.
Thinking it was so big at the time?
Did you really think that everything you did was justified, and that there wouldn't be any consequences?
You shout her the wrong kind of line
You said or did the wrong thing, and it has cost you dearly. You were not able to express your true feelings and emotions, and it has cost you the love of your life.
Try to be more like a man with respect
You need to start respecting yourself and your decisions. Only when you value yourself can you expect others to value you as well.
Get on the right track, don't be blind
You need to start making better decisions and taking responsibility for your life. Don't let your past mistakes dictate your future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
n00se
Man in a room, can't you see what you did
Pick yourself off the floor, it don't suit you, don't be blind
One lonely with four walls closing in
It's a room without any door
You've been on your own since she told you to go
I'm telling you why and what for
[Chorus:]
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart
Man can't you see what you did to yourself
Thinking it was so big at the time
I could have told you but I wasn't there
You shout her the wrong kind of line
[Chorus:]
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart
Pick yourself off the floor
It don't suit you to be in that frame of mind
Try to be more like a man with respect
Get on the right track, don't be blind
[Chorus:]
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart
One lonely with four walls closing in
It's a room without any door
You've been on your own since she told you to go
I'm telling you why and what for
[Chorus:]
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart
Man in a room, can't you see what you did
Pick yourself off the floor, it don't suit you, don't be blind
Early Bird
workonapp.weebly.com
Sylvia Illingworth
Another gem of theirs. It does appear on the Hollies Special Collection box set of 3 discs. One to recommend!
n00se
Man in a room, can't you see what you did
Pick yourself off the floor, it don't suit you, don't be blind
One lonely with four walls closing in
It's a room without any door
You've been on your own since she told you to go
I'm telling you why and what for
[Chorus:]
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart
Man can't you see what you did to yourself
Thinking it was so big at the time
I could have told you but I wasn't there
You shout her the wrong kind of line
[Chorus:]
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart
Pick yourself off the floor
It don't suit you to be in that frame of mind
Try to be more like a man with respect
Get on the right track, don't be blind
[Chorus:]
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart
One lonely with four walls closing in
It's a room without any door
You've been on your own since she told you to go
I'm telling you why and what for
[Chorus:]
You're a man without a heart
Just a lonely man without a heart
Man in a room, can't you see what you did
Pick yourself off the floor, it don't suit you, don't be blind
heymaryann1
Another wonderful song by Allan Clarke & Terry Sylvester.
DMoriarty
Fantastic tune, what a power!
MeloLand
Wonderful piece!
Ton Lips
One of the best of the hollies
signature50
Yes, excellent song and superb arrangement. I don't think this was ever a hit in the UK but in the early 70s it was championed by RNI and may have had success in Holland and elsewhere in Europe?
John Robertson
25 in holland
Barry Hughes
Greatest group ever........bar none.