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)
Pay You Back With Interest
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got so much
So much to do
But when my traveling is over
I'll pay you back with interest
I'll pay you back with interest
It seems unfair to leave you
And sell myself the way I do.
I'll pay you back with interest
I'll pay you back with interest
Most of my life I've been moving
And when I tire out I'll come home to you.
But until then I'll be waiting
I'll pay you back with interest
I'll pay you back with interest
How cold is my room, (How cold is my room)
Without your love beside me?
We look at the same old moon (Looking at the moon)
But you're not here beside me
I'll pay you back with interest
I'll pay you back with interest
The Hollies's song "Pay You Back With Interest" is a tale of a person who has a lot of responsibilities and duties and is finding it hard to manage their time. They are constantly on the move, traveling and selling themselves to earn a living, which makes it difficult for them to focus on the people they love. The song talks about the guilt they feel for abandoning someone they care about and their eagerness to pay them back with interest once their wandering comes to an end.
The lyrics convey the feeling of longing and loneliness, as the person's room feels cold without the warmth of their love beside them. The melancholic tone of the song is heightened by the lines "We look at the same old moon, but you're not here beside me," which emphasize the distance and separation between the two.
The song reflects the dilemma faced by many people who are striving to achieve their goals while maintaining relationships. It addresses the age-old conflict between career and personal life, and the need to strike a balance between the two, as expressed in the lines "I've got so much to do... It seems unfair to leave you."
Line by Line Meaning
Too many people need me
I have a lot of people who rely on me and need my help and attention.
I've got so much
I have a lot of responsibilities and things to take care of.
So much to do
I have a lot of tasks and duties to fulfill.
But when my traveling is over
After I finish my journeys and obligations,
I'll pay you back with interest
I will repay you for your kindness and care with added benefits and gratitude.
It seems unfair to leave you
It feels unjust and cruel to depart from you.
And sell myself the way I do.
And promote myself without taking you into consideration.
But when my wandering is over
Once I am done with my wandering and exploring,
I'll pay you back with interest
I will compensate you for your support and affection with extra benefits.
Most of my life I've been moving
I have been traveling and on the move for the majority of my existence.
And when I tire out I'll come home to you.
When I become weary, I will return to you for comfort and rest.
But until then I'll be waiting
But until that moment, I will be anticipating our reunion.
How cold is my room, (How cold is my room)
My room feels chilly and barren without your presence.
Without your love beside me?
Without your affection and care by my side?
We look at the same old moon (Looking at the moon)
We both gaze upon the same moon each night.
But you're not here beside me
But unfortunately, you are not here physically next to me.
I'll pay you back with interest
Nonetheless, I will still try to repay you for your love and kindness with added appreciation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, GRAHAM NASH, TONY HICKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariomalbano2718
Love this short song !
Why can't we find bands that produce this kind of music today?
@TheRobbs
Listening to this song takes me back to a hot summer day just being a kid. Why is it when we are young we wish to be older. Then, when we are older we wish to be younger. Awesome song. Haven't heard it in 30 years, Thanks for posting.
@nigellewis6279
One brilliant track The Hollies never recorded one bad song and that's a fact
@vinkleman
From the opening chord to the beautiful bells, a classic that sounds like no other song.
@janfromnycsavesmoney8723
So true! Very underrated tune!
@robertmasina4610
Subtract the singing from the song, the instrumentation is neat.
@Bloomfield246
Love this song. The Hollies were one of the very best groups out of the UK.
@ratoig
Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks, Hollies, Animals, DC5, Bee Gees, Searchers, Pacemakers, Herman's Hermits, Manfred Mann, Them, Yardbirds & Zombies ---- They RULED America from 1964-1969! (Apologies to other 'lesser' British Groups not listed) love them too!
@josephblough7509
and the US as well!!!
@steffanjennyburrup5801
My lifelong fave fantastic group...seen them few years ago in Nottingham fabulous...wish Alan Clarke was still lead singer 😊