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)

Reunion Of The Heart
The Hollies Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Never thought there could be so much more
You picked me up when I was living down in Egypt
You let me in and opened up the door
Went and showed me just how much you thought my heart meant
I turned and walked away into the wilderness
Now who'd have guessed?

Hear you calling my name for a reunion

Hear you calling my name for a reunion
Thought I wandered too far away
But now I've got a brand new start
Reunion, reunion of the heart

Now I'm standing on the edge of the land
I want to go on in and take all that you gave me
But I'm frightened and you understand
I blew it last time, but I don't want a repeat
Still, when I'm quiet again, shelter from the noise
I just hear your voice

Hear you calling my name for a reunion
Hear you calling my name for a reunion
Thought I wandered too far away
But now I've got a brand new start
Reunion, reunion of the heart
Reunion, reunion of the heart

I hear you calling me
I've been so alone
Darling, darling, darling, darling, come on home

Hear you calling my name for a reunion
Hear you calling my name for a reunion
Thought I wandered too far away
But now I've got a brand new start
Reunion, reunion of the heart

Hear you calling my name for a reunion (I hear you calling)
Hear you calling my name for a reunion
Thought I wandered too far away

But now I've got a brand new start
Reunion, reunion of the heart

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Hollies' "Reunion Of The Heart" seem to be about finding redemption and second chances. The singer sings about being lost and alone, but finding someone who lifted them out of their despair and showed them love. However, the singer walked away from this person, into "the wilderness," likely making mistakes and living a life far removed from that love. But now, the person who they left is calling them back for a reunion of the heart. The singer is hesitant, admitting they are frightened and still haunted by their past mistakes, but they hear the other's voice in their quiet moments and they want to come home.

The lyrics could suggest a story of personal struggle, of losing oneself and the people who love them, before finding a route back to happiness through forgiveness and second chances. The repetition of "reunion," and the chorus of "thought I wandered too far away, but now I've got a brand new start" emphasizes this hope for redemption that exists through the reunion of two people's hearts. The line "darling, darling, darling, darling, come on home" at the end of the song drives home this message of love and forgiveness.

Reunion Of The HeartThe Hollies Lyrics

Philip Kassabian

on Carrie Anne

Philip Kassabian

on Bus Stop

Philip Kassabian

on Stop Stop Stop

Reunion Of The Heart
The Hollies Lyrics