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)
Musical Pictures
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Touching the feelings writing my thoughts down
Something that I can share with you
I can get carried away carried away carried away by the melody
Cause I can't say what I really mean with words
I'm trying so hard to reach you
I hope that I'm getting through
Musical pictures scenes from a song
You're instrumental
You're where it comes from
It's easy to play along
[Chorus]
Silence is my canvas I can paint a sad song - blue
And make musical pictures any way I want to
I'm trying so hard to reach you
I hope that I'm getting through
[Chorus: x2]
The Hollies's song "Musical Pictures" is a poetic reflection on the power of music to communicate emotions that are difficult to articulate through words. The opening lines "Musical pictures coloring in the sound / Touching the feelings writing my thoughts down" liken the experience of listening to music to a form of painting, where the colors and textures of the sound combine to create vivid images in the mind. The lyrics suggest that these musical pictures are a way for the singer to share something deeply personal with the listener, since words alone cannot fully convey what the artist is feeling.
As the song progresses, the singer confesses that he often gets "carried away" by the melody, suggesting that he is fully immersed in the experience of making music. The repetition of this phrase creates a sense of urgency and passion, as if the artist is struggling to capture something essential in his music. Despite this intense emotion, however, the singer acknowledges that "silence is my canvas," implying that the absence of sound is just as important as the music itself. This recognition of the power of silence mirrors the themes of absence and loss that often characterize the blues, a genre that is referenced in the line "And make musical pictures any way I want to." Overall, "Musical Pictures" is a deeply introspective song that celebrates the power of music to bridge the gaps between people, even when words fail.
Line by Line Meaning
Musical pictures coloring in the sound
The music is creating vivid images in my mind
Touching the feelings writing my thoughts down
The emotions are so strong, I need to express myself through writing
Something that I can share with you
I want to connect with you through the experience of music
I can get carried away carried away carried away by the melody
The melody is so captivating, I get lost in it
Cause I can't say what I really mean with words
Words cannot express the depth of my emotions like music can
I'm trying so hard to reach you
I want to connect with you on a deeper level through music
Musical pictures scenes from a song
The music creates visual scenes in my mind
You're instrumental
You are the inspiration behind the music
You're where it comes from
The music stems from my feelings for you
It's easy to play along
I can express myself through the music with ease
Silence is my canvas I can paint a sad song - blue
The absence of sound allows me to create music that expresses my sorrow
And make musical pictures any way I want to
Through music, I have the freedom to express myself in any way
Chorus
The refrain reiterates the power of music to connect and communicate emotions
I'm trying so hard to reach you
The singer is deeply invested in connecting with the listener through music
I hope that I'm getting through
The singer is unsure if the listener is understanding the emotions being conveyed through the music
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL BLISS, STEPHEN KIPNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
veraluciasc
This beautiful music! thanks for posting the video. ALLAN's voice is very, very, very nice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ther51
I love the hollies great band.thanks