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)

Non Prego Per Me
The Hollies Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Quanti uomini han vissuto prima ch'io nascessi
E perché hanno vissuto
Quante cose che han lasciato e quante altre no
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh...

È venuto il mio momento di partire per la vita
Fate quello che potete
Perché io creda in qualche cosa

Perché io creda in voi
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh...

Non prego per me e e e e e e
Ma per tutti
Non prego per me e e e e e e...

Voi che state combattendo
In silenzio e senza gloria
Per un mondo in cui credete
Non fermatevi davanti a chi vi colpirà
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah...

Non prego per me e e e e e e
Ma per tutti
Non prego per me e e e e e e...

Qualcuno di voi
Potrebbe non credermi ma
Il mondo è sincero
Il vero è in un mondo più buono...

Non prego per me e e e e e e
Ma per tutti

Non prego per me e e e e e e...
Ah ah ah ah...

Overall Meaning

The Hollies's song "Non Prego Per Me" is a poignant and reflective piece about the passing of time and the search for meaning in our lives. The lyrics describe the singer's contemplation of those who came before him, and the choices they made in their lives that led them to leave behind certain things and take others with them into eternity. The chorus follows with an uplifting message for the listener to take ownership of their own life and make something meaningful of it, not just for themselves, but for everyone else in the world who may come behind them. The refrain "non prego per me" (I don't pray for myself) serves as a reminder that we should aspire to be selfless and think beyond our own individual desires.

As the song continues, it becomes a call to action for those who are fighting for what they believe in, reminding them to stay strong and not be deterred by those who would try to stop them. The singer speaks directly to these fighters, encouraging them to keep going and not give up, even when things seem impossible. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the affirmation that the world is sincere and that there is something true and good to be found in it, if we are willing to search for it.

Line by Line Meaning

Quanti uomini han vissuto prima ch'io nascessi
How many men have lived before I was born

E perché hanno vissuto
And why they have lived

Quante cose che han lasciato e quante altre no
How many things they have left and how many they haven't

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh...

È venuto il mio momento di partire per la vita
My moment has come to start living

Fate quello che potete
Do what you can

Perché io creda in qualche cosa
So that I can believe in something

Perché io creda in voi
So that I can believe in you

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh...

Non prego per me e e e e e e
I don't pray for myself

Ma per tutti
But for everyone