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)
Rain On The Window
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reminds of her
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
It was raining hard
The trees looked bare the night I met her
She was wet her hands were cold
The wind blew through her hair
Though I`d known her quite a long time
We were just good friends
So it didn't seem so strange
Inviting her back home
We sat by the fire
The flames brought out something in her
Melting all the cold
Projecting warmth I never knew
As the rain beat on my window
Did she understand
That in the glow of dying embers
Everything was planned
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
We made love later on that night
While the rain beat on my window
I can`t forget the things that happened
While the rain beat down on my window
Next time I saw her
I knew she didn't want to know me
If I disappointed her
I think she should have told me
Can`t she understand
I only tried to be a man
She made me feel so ashamed
Of everything I am
When I hear pitter-patter
The rain on the window
Reminds of her
The Hollies's song, "Rain on the Window," is a love song that tells the story of a man who fell in love with a woman he met one rainy night. The lyrics describe the setting of the night they met, with the rain beating down on the trees and the wind blowing through the woman's hair. Despite the fact that they had known each other for a long time, they were just good friends, but the man invited her back home to take refuge from the rain. The two of them sat by the fire, where the woman's warmth and affection melted the man's heart. Together, they made love as the rain continued to beat against the window.
The lyrics take on a sad tone in the second half of the song, with the man reflecting on the fact that the woman seemed to have lost interest in him after their night together. He expresses his disappointment and feelings of shame, wondering if he had done something wrong to destroy their friendship and the chance for a romantic relationship. The rain on the window becomes a symbol of his memories of her and the lost opportunity for love.
Line by Line Meaning
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
The sound of raindrops falling on the window reminds me of a specific memory.
Reminds of her
This memory is related to a woman.
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
The sound of raindrops falling on the window takes me back in time to a specific moment.
It was raining hard
There was a heavy rainfall happening at the time.
The trees looked bare the night I met her
The weather was not ideal when I first laid eyes on her.
She was wet her hands were cold
She got caught in the rain and was very wet and cold.
The wind blew through her hair
The wind was strong enough to move her hair around.
Though I`d known her quite a long time
I had been acquainted with her for a significant amount of time prior to this moment.
We were just good friends
Our relationship was purely platonic until this moment.
So it didn't seem so strange
Bringing her back to my place didn't feel out of the ordinary since we were friends.
Inviting her back home
I took her back to my residence with me.
We sat by the fire
We spent time next to a fireplace.
The flames brought out something in her
The warmth generated by the fire had a positive effect on her mood and demeanor.
Melting all the cold
The warmth dissipated the coldness she had been experiencing from being out in the rain.
Projecting warmth I never knew
She exuded warmth and affection that I hadn't previously experienced from her.
As the rain beat on my window
Throughout this experience, there was a constant sound of rain hitting the window.
Did she understand
I wonder if she comprehended my intentions and feelings at the time.
That in the glow of dying embers
As we sat in front of the fireplace, the embers were burning out and the light created a specific ambiance.
Everything was planned
It was all part of my plan to bring her back to my place and start a romantic relationship with her.
We made love later on that night
Our relationship became intimate that night.
While the rain beat on my window
The sound of raindrops kept on throughout the night.
I can`t forget the things that happened
I have vivid memories of that night and our intimate experience.
Next time I saw her
After that night, I had another encounter with her.
I knew she didn't want to know me
It was clear to me that she was not interested in continuing a romantic relationship with me.
If I disappointed her
I may have done something to negatively affect her perception of me.
I think she should have told me
It would have been more appropriate for her to communicate her feelings to me instead of cutting off contact.
Can`t she understand
I am struggling to comprehend her decision and actions.
I only tried to be a man
I was attempting to fulfill societal expectations of having a romantic relationship and intimacy with a woman.
She made me feel so ashamed
Her reaction to our encounter has caused me to feel embarrassed and self-conscious.
Of everything I am
Her verdict has led me to doubt and question my own identity and worth.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, GRAHAM NASH, TONY HICKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adelardo De Narbardi
LYRICS:
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
Reminds of her
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
It was raining hard
The trees looked bare the night I met her
She was wet, her hands were cold
The wind blew through her hair
Though I'd known her quite a long time
We were just good friends
So it didn't seem so strange
Inviting her back home
We sat by the fire
The flames brought out something in her
Melting all the cold
Projecting warmth I never knew
As the rain beat on my window
Did she understand
That in the glow of dying embers
Everything was planned
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
Reminds of her
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
We made love later on that night
While the rain beat on my window
I can't forget the things that happened
While the rain beat down on my window
Next time I saw her
I knew she didn't want to know me
If I disappointed her
I think she should have told me
Can't she understand
I only tried to be a man
She made me feel so ashamed
Of everything I am
When I hear pitter-patter
The rain on the window
Reminds of her x3
Låtskrivare: Alan Clarke, Graham Nash och Tony Hicks.
jim a
One of the best groups of all time!
Michelle Lambert
Something about Allan's voice makes this situation more relatable.
Natalie Gordon
this is my favorite song from the album
Mag Pie
Yes, any more songs from Hollies this good?
Adelardo De Narbardi
LYRICS:
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
Reminds of her
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
It was raining hard
The trees looked bare the night I met her
She was wet, her hands were cold
The wind blew through her hair
Though I'd known her quite a long time
We were just good friends
So it didn't seem so strange
Inviting her back home
We sat by the fire
The flames brought out something in her
Melting all the cold
Projecting warmth I never knew
As the rain beat on my window
Did she understand
That in the glow of dying embers
Everything was planned
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
Reminds of her
When I hear pitter-patter the rain on the window
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
Pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter pitter-patter
We made love later on that night
While the rain beat on my window
I can't forget the things that happened
While the rain beat down on my window
Next time I saw her
I knew she didn't want to know me
If I disappointed her
I think she should have told me
Can't she understand
I only tried to be a man
She made me feel so ashamed
Of everything I am
When I hear pitter-patter
The rain on the window
Reminds of her x3
Låtskrivare: Alan Clarke, Graham Nash och Tony Hicks.
tevevid
Maybe the best song on this exquisite Hollies album
The King and The Warrior
I actually like the Hollies music more than the Beatles.
Sotis175
The Kinks, The Zombies, The Hollies are all better than the beatles in my opinion
Profesora Nut
Seconded!
MeloLand
Wonderful song...