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)
Sandy
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight for I may never see you again
Hey, Sandy girl, my, my, my, my baby
Sandy, the fireworks are hailin' over Little Eden tonight
Forcin' a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this warm July
And the boys from the casino dance
Chasin' all those silly New York virgins by the score
Sandy, the aurora is risin' behind us
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight and I promise I'll love you forever
Oh, I mean it Sandy girl, oh my baby
Hey, Sandy girl, my, my, my, my baby
Sandy, the waitress I was seein' lost her desire for me
I spoke with her last night
She said she won't set herself on fire for me anymore
Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie
For tellin' fortunes better than they do?
For me, this boardwalk life is through
You ought to quit this scene, too
Sandy, the aurora is risin' behind us
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight for I may never see you again
Hey, Sandy girl, my, my, my, my baby
Hey, Sandy girl, oh my baby
Hey, Sandy girl, my, my, my, my baby
Hey, Sandy girl, oh my baby
Hey, Sandy girl, my, my, my, my baby
The lyrics of The Hollies's song Sandy depict a nostalgic and romantic mood, taking the listener through a carnival and boardwalk scene on a warm July night. The singer, addressing a girl named Sandy, expresses his feelings of love and attraction, but also hints at a sense of fleetingness and potential loss. The aurora rising behind them and the pier lights create a magical and dreamlike atmosphere, enhanced by the fireworks raining down over Little Eden. The boys from the casino dance with their shirts open, creating an image of carefree and sensual pleasure, while the silly New York virgins are left chasing after them.
However, amidst the festive and lively environment, the singer also acknowledges some darker elements. He mentions a waitress he was seeing who has lost her desire for him, indicating a sense of rejection or disillusionment. He also refers to Madame Marie, a famous fortune teller who was eventually busted by the police. This could suggest that the singer is questioning the authenticity and reliability of the things he might have believed in, including his own feelings and hopes. Nonetheless, he urges Sandy to seize the moment, to love him tonight, and promises to love her forever. As the aurora continues to rise behind them, the song ends on a wistful and romantic note.
Line by Line Meaning
Sandy, the aurora is risin' behind us
The sunrise is behind us
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
The lights from the pier represent the fun times we've had together and will continue to have in the future
Oh, love me tonight for I may never see you again
I want you to show me your love tonight because I don't know if we'll have another chance to be together
Hey, Sandy girl, my, my, my, my baby
Addressing Sandy affectionately
Sandy, the fireworks are hailin' over Little Eden tonight
There are fireworks over Little Eden tonight
Forcin' a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this warm July
The fireworks are lighting up the faces of the unmoved people in Little Eden
And the boys from the casino dance
The boys from the casino are dancing
With their shirts open like Latin lovers on the shore
The boys from the casino are showing off their chests while they dance
Chasin' all those silly New York virgins by the score
The boys from the casino are pursuing the young women from New York who are inexperienced in love
Sandy, the aurora is risin' behind us
The sunrise is behind us
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
The lights from the pier represent the fun times we've had together and will continue to have in the future
Oh, love me tonight and I promise I'll love you forever
If you love me tonight, I promise to love you forever
Oh, I mean it Sandy girl, oh my baby
I'm serious, Sandy
Sandy, the waitress I was seein' lost her desire for me
The waitress I was seeing is no longer interested in me
I spoke with her last night
I talked to her last night
She said she won't set herself on fire for me anymore
She won't go out of her way for me anymore
Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie
Madame Marie, an infamous fortune teller, was arrested by the police
For tellin' fortunes better than they do?
Because she was better at telling fortunes than the police
For me, this boardwalk life is through
I'm done with this boardwalk lifestyle
You ought to quit this scene, too
You should quit this lifestyle as well
Sandy, the aurora is risin' behind us
The sunrise is behind us
Those pier lights, our carnival life forever
The lights from the pier represent the fun times we've had together and will continue to have in the future
Oh, love me tonight for I may never see you again
I want you to show me your love tonight because I don't know if we'll have another chance to be together
Hey, Sandy girl, my, my, my, my baby
Addressing Sandy affectionately
Hey, Sandy girl, oh my baby
Addressing Sandy affectionately
Hey, Sandy girl, my, my, my, my baby
Addressing Sandy affectionately
Hey, Sandy girl, oh my baby
Addressing Sandy affectionately
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sandracooke4496
As a young women at the time I pretended it was sung for me ! It was such a song that made me feel good when things we tough at times! Thank you sooo much DEAR HOLLIES
@nasbyszbrown1656
Love the Hollies.Thank- you for the pleasure of your voices
@daviddeborahgreen9731
The old adage" you never know what you had until it`s gone" no-one can replace them!
@carlybowers-smith8088
I love the open shirt style on Allan Clarke. And I love watching him sing and I love his smile š ā¤ just so amazing
@goneatlast
The concert '70's Hollies cast such a melodious spell Those harmonies are second to none, in my opinion. Thanks for this post. Peace,
@rosaliecooper3707
Love the Hollieās all handsome guys better than the Beatlesā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤
@SandyFetoshi
Mein Lied š¶ š
@1962LIBBY
Had no idea they covered this Bruce tune. Nice. š
@uilliam52
first class .
@paulahunt2737
Absolutely fantastic Allan is so good Xox š