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)
Say It Ain't So Jo
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's not what I wanna hear Jo
And I got a right to know
Say it ain't so Jo, please, say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Jo
Please tell us it ain't so
They told us that our hero has played his trump card
We're clinging to his charm and determined smile
The good old days have gone
The image and the empire may be falling apart
The money has gotten scarce
One man's word held the country together
But the truth is getting fierce
Say it ain't so Jo, please, say it ain't so
We pinned our hopes on you Jo
And they're ruining our show
Ooh, baby don't you think
We're gonna get burned
Ooh, baby don't you think
We're gonna get burned
We're gonna get turned
We're gonna get burned
Yes, we're gonna get turned
We're gonna get burned
We're gonna get turned
Yes, we're gonna get burned
We're gonna get burned
We're gonna get burned
Yes, we're gonna get turned
We're gonna get burned
Say it ain't so Jo, please, say it ain't so
That's not what I wanna hear Jo
And I got a right to know
Say it ain't so Jo, please, say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Jo
Please tell us it ain't so
Say it ain't so Jo, please, say it ain't so
That's not what I wanna hear Jo
And I got a right to know
Say it ain't so Jo, please, say it ain't so
I'm sure they're telling us lies Jo
Please tell us it ain't so
The Hollies's song "Say It Ain't So Jo" is a heartfelt plea addressed to a public figure named Jo, whose identity is unclear. The opening lines of the song set a serious and somber tone: "Say it ain't so Jo, please, say it ain't so / That's not what I wanna hear Jo / And I got a right to know." The singer of the song is clearly disappointed and disheartened by what they have heard about Jo, suggesting a betrayal of some kind.
The lyrics go on to suggest that Jo was once viewed as a hero or authority figure, but something has changed: "They told us that our hero has played his trump card / He doesn't know how to go on / We're clinging to his charm and determined smile / The good old days have gone." We get the sense that Jo's empire, perhaps political or social, is unraveling or has already collapsed. The verses are marked by a melancholy sense of loss.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the opening lines, emphasizing the singer's desperation for Jo to deny what they've heard: "Say it ain't so Jo, please, say it ain't so / I'm sure they're telling us lies Jo / Please tell us it ain't so." The final lines of the song express a sense of foreboding, suggesting that those who have put their trust in Jo are in for a rough ride: "Ooh, baby don't you think / We're gonna get burned / We're gonna get turned / Yes, we're gonna get burned."
Line by Line Meaning
Say it ain't so Jo, please, say it ain't so
Expressing disbelief and seeking confirmation that the rumors are untrue.
That's not what I wanna hear Jo
The rumors are unwelcome and go against the expectation.
And I got a right to know
As a citizen, there is a sense of entitlement to know the truth.
I'm sure they're telling us lies Jo
There is suspicion that the information being spread is not factual.
Please tell us it ain't so
A plea and hope for reassurance that the claims are false.
They told us that our hero has played his trump card
The leader of the country has reached his limit in political power.
He doesn't know how to go on
The leader is facing a challenge and is unsure of how to proceed.
We're clinging to his charm and determined smile
People are relying on the leader's charisma to maintain hope and positivity.
The good old days have gone
A sense of nostalgia and longing for the past.
The image and the empire may be falling apart
The country's reputation and power may be declining.
The money has gotten scarce
Financial resources are becoming scarce or depleted.
One man's word held the country together
The power and unity of the country relied on the words and actions of a single individual.
But the truth is getting fierce
The truth is becoming harder to ignore or cover up.
We pinned our hopes on you Jo
Relying on the leader to provide guidance and solutions.
And they're ruining our show
The alleged rumors or circumstances are negatively impacting the current situation.
Ooh, baby don't you think
Expressing concern or anxiety.
We're gonna get burned
Consequences or negative outcomes are expected.
We're gonna get turned
A change in direction or attitude is anticipated.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MURRAY HEAD
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.