The Hollies are a well-respected British beat and pop band that formed in t… Read Full Bio ↴The Hollies are a well-respected British beat and pop band that formed in the early 60s. Initially they had a squeaky-clean image and were famous for their rich vocal harmonies, rivaling those of The Beach Boys. Between 1964 and 1969, only two Hollies songs failed to reach the UK Top 10. Their most famous member was Graham Nash, who left in 1968 to form the folk supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash. Two of the core members, drummer Bobby Elliott and lead guitarist Tony Hicks, still perform with The Hollies into the new millennium.

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)

Mr Moonlight
The Hollies Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You came to me one summer night
And from your beam you made my dream
Woah let me tell you now
And from the world you sent my girl
And from above you sent love

Now she is mine
I think you'll find

Because she loves you
Mr Moonlight

Mr Moonlight
Come and again please
Here I am on my knees
Begging you to please

The night you don't come my way
I pray each day
Because she loves you
Mr Moonlight

Break
The night you don't come my way,
I pray each day
Because she loves you
Mr Moonlight

Mr Moonlight
Come and again please
Here I am on my knees
Begging you to please

The night you don't come my way,
I pray each day

Because she loves you
Mr Moonlight

Overall Meaning

The Hollies's song Mr Moonlight starts with the singer reminiscing about a summer night when, with the help of Mr Moonlight, his dream came true, and the girl he loves became his. The singer believes that Mr Moonlight, who came from above and sent love to him and his girl, is responsible for his happiness. He is so grateful for Mr Moonlight's help that he is on his knees begging him to return, and he prays every day when Mr Moonlight doesn't come his way because he knows that his happiness is linked to Mr Moonlight's presence.

Mr Moonlight's metaphorical role in the song could represent the happiness that the singer feels in his love life. The brightness of the moonlight symbolizes the brightness of their future together. The singer is so ecstatic about his newfound love that he thinks of Mr Moonlight as his savior. The song depicts the depth of the singer's gratitude towards Mr Moonlight, whose presence he considers essential to his happiness.

Line by Line Meaning

You came to me one summer night
One night in the summer, I had a visit from you, Mr. Moonlight.

And from your beam you made my dream
The moonlight shining down on me made my dream come true.

Woah let me tell you now
I'm overwhelmed and want to express my gratitude to you.

And from the world you sent my girl
Thanks to your power, I met the love of my life.

And from above you sent love
Your heavenly light brought me the feeling of love.

Now she is mine
I am blessed to have her as mine.

I think you'll find
I believe that you, Mr. Moonlight, played a role in making her mine.

Because she loves you
I know that my girl loves and admires you, Mr. Moonlight.

Mr Moonlight
Addressing and praising the moonlight.

Come and again please
I hope that the moonlight returns.

Here I am on my knees
I am sincerely and humbly asking for your return.