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 You`ll Be Mine
The Hollies Lyrics
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How it would be
If I could live without you
Something I just can't seem to visualise
When I look into your eyes
I only hear the words I want to hear
Say that you'll be mine
You don't have to tell the truth
But I want you to
Say that you're mine
Say that you'll be mine
For ever and ever
Let me live a fantasy
Gotta lie to me won't you please
Say that you're mine
Deep inside me
I hear a warning voice
Speak softly to me
Asking how I could ever be so blind
I've been trying to read your mind
Why don't you say the words I want to hear
Why don't you
Say that you'll be mine
For ever and ever
You don't have to tell the truth
But I want you to
Say that you're mine
Say that you'll be mine
For ever and ever
Doing all I can to make you see
Ooh, baby what you do to me
Don't you know my heart's in jeopardy
The effect you havin' over me
Say that you'll be mine
For ever and ever
You don't have to tell the truth
But I want you to
Say that you're mine
Say that you'll be mine
For ever and ever
Say that you'll be mine
For ever and ever
You don't have to tell the truth
But I want you to
Say that you're mine
Say that you'll be mine
For ever and ever
The Hollies' song "Say You'll Be Mine" is a classic tale of unrequited love. The singer is deeply in love with someone who doesn't seem to feel the same way, and he is struggling to come to terms with that fact. The lyrics express his desperation and his longing for her, and the chorus is an appeal for her to give him some hope that they can be together.
The song's verses describe the singer's obsession with the object of his affections. He can't imagine living without her, and he is mesmerized whenever he looks into her eyes. But despite his strong feelings, he is plagued by doubt and insecurity. He hears a "warning voice" inside him that tells him she doesn't feel the same way, and he is struggling to understand why she won't just come out and say it.
The chorus is the singer's plea for some kind of certainty from the object of his affection. He is begging her to tell him that she'll be his forever, even if it's not true. The repetition of the phrase "say that you'll be mine" reinforces his desperation, and the fact that he acknowledges that she doesn't have to tell the truth adds a layer of pathos to the song. Ultimately, the song is a poignant expression of the pain of loving someone who doesn't love you back.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinking about you
The singer is reflecting on their feelings for the person they're singing to
How it would be
They're imagining what it would be like to be with this person
If I could live without you
The singer is suggesting that they cannot live without this person
Something I just can't seem to visualise
The thought of being without this person is too difficult for the singer to imagine
When I look into your eyes
The singer is focused on the person's eyes because they reveal what the person is feeling
I only hear the words I want to hear
The singer is filtering out anything negative and only hears what they want to hear
Say that you'll be mine
The singer is asking the person to commit to a romantic relationship
For ever and ever
They want this relationship to last a lifetime
You don't have to tell the truth
The singer knows that they person may not truly feel the same way, but they still want to hear it
But I want you to
The singer is desperate to hear the words 'I love you' from the person
Let me live a fantasy
The singer is asking the person to pretend to love them, even if it's not true
Gotta lie to me won't you please
The singer is begging the person to pretend to have feelings for them, even if they're lying
Deep inside me
The singer is feeling something strong and intense
I hear a warning voice
The singer is questioning their own judgment because they know the person might not reciprocate their feelings
Speak softly to me
The singer is asking the person to tell them what they want to hear, even if it's not truthful
Asking how I could ever be so blind
The singer is wondering why they didn't see the truth sooner
I've been trying to read your mind
The singer has been trying to interpret the person's actions and emotions, without success
Why don't you say the words I want to hear
The singer is begging the person to say 'I love you'
Doing all I can to make you see
The singer is trying to convince the person that they're worth being with
Ooh, baby what you do to me
The singer is overcome with emotions for this person
Don't you know my heart's in jeopardy
The singer's emotions are so strong that their heart feels like it's at risk of breaking
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL BLISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brendanaschinski-bp9dj
Love that voice it stands out my love Allan Clarke you're the best singer
@brendanaschinski-bp9dj
Allan Clarke has the best voice I've ever heard
@stuartmenzies3928
I have this album I adore it...if I had not found it I was going to upload Great job!
@brendanaschinski-bp9dj
Wow what a hunk of Man