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)
Pegasus
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll take somewhere where you've never been
High on a mountain, deep down in the sea
To faraway lands, you can travel with me
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
Ride on my back and hold onto my wings
I'll take you by night to a time-leaping dream
Time has no value where we're going to
People are happy there, they're never blue
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
This can only happen to you
If you keep our secret
Don't tell anyone
About our magic horse
You can go where you want
I can take you anywhere
Because I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
Follow me, follow, see what you see
I'll take somewhere where you've never been
High on a mountain, deep down in the sea
To faraway lands, you can travel with me
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
The Hollies's song "Pegasus" is a playful and imaginative invitation to join the singer on a journey to faraway lands, high mountains, deep seas, and time-leaping dreams. The singer assumes the form of Pegasus, the mythical flying horse, and becomes the means of transportation for the listener. The song's structure is simple, and the lyrics are repetitive, reflecting the singer's desire to reinforce the idea of a magical journey. The lyrics suggest that this journey is both physical and emotional, promising a respite from the mundane and a momentary escape from the anxieties of everyday life.
The song invokes references to Greek mythology, where Pegasus was a symbol of freedom, power, and grace. Pegasus typically carried heroes on their adventures, from Bellerophon and Perseus to Zeus himself. In this song, however, Pegasus becomes a tool for everyday people seeking to escape their ordinary lives. The lyrics are an invitation to the listener to embrace a sense of adventure and abandon, to leave behind their worries and embrace the unknown.
"Pegasus" is a simple yet charming song that draws on the power of imagination and the longing for escape that is universal to the human experience. The song offers a reassuring message that, no matter how difficult or mundane our lives may seem, there is always the possibility of transcendence and transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow me, follow, see what you see
Come with me and witness things beyond imagination
I'll take somewhere where you've never been
I will take you to a place you have never visited before
High on a mountain, deep down in the sea
We will adventure to all the extreme heights and depths of the earth
To faraway lands, you can travel with me
We will travel to distant and exotic locations
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
I am a magical creature that can fly through the air
Ride on my back and hold onto my wings
Join me on my journey and hold on tight
I'll take you by night to a time-leaping dream
In the night, we will travel through time to a dream-like state
Time has no value where we're going to
Our destination exists outside of time and space
People are happy there, they're never blue
In this place, everyone is happy and never feels sadness
This can only happen to you
This magic can only occur for those who believe in it
If you keep our secret
Do not tell anyone about what we have experienced
Don't tell anyone
Remain silent about our adventure together
About our magic horse
Do not speak of Pegasus to anyone else
You can go where you want
We have the freedom to travel anywhere we desire
I can take you anywhere
I have the power to transport us to any destination
I'm Pegasus, the flying horse
I am Pegasus, the magical flying horse
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fred Cooper
Yes, and having Tony Hicks handling the lead vocal is a refreshing change. I've always liked his voice.
toocheaptobuyatripod
I can testify that the hollies are addicting. I rediscovered "Bus Stop" about three months ago and I now have about 300 Hollies songs on my Ipod! Very underrated group!
Mr Matt
Is it just me or does Tony sound a bit like Syd Barrett on this tune?
DerTeemeister
If you really want to hear someone singing like Syd, listen to Rene Aubry on his wonderful LP "Libre Parcours". And: I really love the Hollies! Butterfly is a great tune!
KieroUnasBotasAGoGo
I actually "discovered" this Hollies' phase, by looking for Syd's era PF tunes so you may be right lol
jamie wesson
its you no
Lenn Johnston
Right on! That's who I thought this was at first, as I'd not heard this one before. VERY Syd!
David Lee
Agree with toocheaptobuyatripod that the Hollies are addicting. I knew of their hits but started listening to albums about a year ago. There are so many great Hollies songs.
sapphiretaurus
I love it! Tony's got a nice voice! Thanks for posting this!
chakahfatah
tony had a nice voice its a shame he didnt sing more songs