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)
Quit Your Low Down Ways
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can fall down on your knees
Pretty mama, and pray to the Lord
But it ain't gonna do you no good
You're gonna need
You're gonna need my help someday
Well, if you can't quit your sinnin'
Well, you can run down to the White House
You can gaze at the Capitol Dome
Pretty mama, you can pound on the President's gate
It'll do you no good
You're gonna need
You're gonna need my help someday
Well, if you can't quit your sinnin'
Please quit your lowdown ways
Well, you can run down to the desert
Throw yourself on the burnin' sand
You can raise up your right hand, pretty mama
But you better understand
You're gonna need
You're gonna need my help someday
Well, if you can't quit your sinnin'
Please quit your lowdown ways
You can hitch hike on the highways
You can stand alone by the side of the road
You can try to flag a ride back home, pretty mama
But you can't ride in my car
You're gonna need
You're gonna need my help someday
Well, if you can't quit your sinnin'
Please quit your lowdown ways
Oh, you can read out of your Bible
You can fall down on your knees
Pretty mama, and pray to the Lord
But it ain't gonna do you no good
You're gonna need
You're gonna need my help someday
Well, if you can't quit your sinnin'
Please quit your lowdown ways
Quit your lowdown ways
Quit your lowdown ways
Quit your lowdown ways
Quit your lowdown ways
Quit your lowdown ways
Quit your lowdown ways
Quit your lowdown ways
Quit your lowdown ways
The Hollies' song "Quit Your Low Down Ways" is a cautionary tale directed at someone who appears to be irredeemable. The song's narrator warns the subject that all the praying, protesting, proselytizing, and flag-waving in the world will do them no good if they cannot change their "lowdown ways." No matter what they do, the subject will need the singer's help someday, so they should quit their sinnin' before it's too late. The repeated chorus of "quit your lowdown ways" serves as both a plea and a warning, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the importance of heeding advice.
The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, but they could be seen as a comment on the destructive nature of sin, particularly when it involves hurting others or living a dishonest life. The singer offers a way out, a chance for redemption, but also acknowledges that change is unlikely without significant effort. The song's upbeat, almost cheerful sound belies its serious message, causing the listener to take notice of the cautionary tale being told.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you can read out of your Bible
You may try to seek guidance from religion
You can fall down on your knees
You can pray for help and guidance
Pretty mama, and pray to the Lord
You can appeal to a higher power for help
But it ain't gonna do you no good
However, it won't be helpful
You're gonna need
At some point, you will require
You're gonna need my help someday
You will eventually need my assistance
Well, if you can't quit your sinnin'
If you cannot give up your immoral ways
Please quit your lowdown ways
Please abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
Well, you can run down to the White House
You can go to the seat of government
You can gaze at the Capitol Dome
You can stare at the symbol of power
Pretty mama, you can pound on the President's gate
You can knock on the door of the most powerful individual in the country
It'll do you no good
However, it won't be helpful
Well, you can run down to the desert
You can flee to a barren and isolated place
Throw yourself on the burnin' sand
You can immerse yourself in extreme conditions
You can raise up your right hand, pretty mama
You can make an oath or swear with a raised hand
But you better understand
However, you need to comprehend
You're gonna need
At some point, you will require
You're gonna need my help someday
You will eventually need my assistance
Well, if you can't quit your sinnin'
If you cannot give up your immoral ways
Please quit your lowdown ways
Please abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
You can hitch hike on the highways
You can try to get a ride on the road
You can stand alone by the side of the road
You can wait alone on the roadside
You can try to flag a ride back home, pretty mama
You can try flagging down a ride to return home
But you can't ride in my car
However, you won't be able to use my vehicle
Quit your lowdown ways
Abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
Quit your lowdown ways
Abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
Quit your lowdown ways
Abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
Quit your lowdown ways
Abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
Quit your lowdown ways
Abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
Quit your lowdown ways
Abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
Quit your lowdown ways
Abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
Quit your lowdown ways
Abandon your deceitful and despicable behavior
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Carrie Anne
A nice and catchy song by The Hollies.
Philip Kassabian
on Bus Stop
Yet another great Hollies song.
Philip Kassabian
on Stop Stop Stop
One of the best bands from the 60's no doubt.