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)

She Gives Me Everything I Want
The Hollies Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Life ain't worth a-livin'
People just been givin' me
Friendship happiness is what everybody deserves
But she gives me everything I want

Oh I don't have to ask for everything I get
Everyone just lets me down
Tries to make me look like a fool

Won't accept me for what I am
They say I got to live by the rules
But she gives me everything I want

Oh I don't have to ask for everything I get
It's gotta end sometime
How's it gonna be yeah
Are we wrong or are we right

It's gotta end sometime
Calling you and me yeah
It's gonna take a long long time

Seems like they don't give a damn
Won't let me live just how I want
They say I'm a down-and-out
But it's them that's wrong
But she gives me everything I want

Oh I don't have to ask for everything I get

Cos' she gives me everything I want (We don't need nobody else)

Overall Meaning

The Hollies describe a feeling of rejection and disappointment from the people around them, as they portray themselves as being treated like a fool and continuously let down. The writer is seeking genuine friendship and happiness with others, but cannot seem to find it. But then comes along a person, most likely a woman, who provides them with everything they have been searching for. This person seems to understand them and does not require them to conform to any kind of societal expectations or rules. They are accepted and loved for who they are, without having to ask for it. This person provides them with everything they need and want, and they no longer have to rely on others who have failed them in the past.

The song seems to be a commentary on the individualistic nature of society, and how difficult it is to find genuine connections with others. It highlights the importance of finding those who accept us for who we are and do not try to mold us into someone we are not. The writer seems to have found solace in this person and is grateful for their presence in their life.

Line by Line Meaning

Life ain't worth a-livin'
Life seems meaningless and unimportant

People just been givin' me
People have been giving me things

Friendship happiness is what everybody deserves
Everyone deserves to have friends and be happy

But she gives me everything I want
But she gives me all the things I desire or need

Oh I don't have to ask for everything I get
I don't have to request or demand anything, everything is freely given to me

Everyone just lets me down
Everybody disappoints me

Tries to make me look like a fool
They try to embarrass me or make me appear foolish

Won't accept me for what I am
They refuse to acknowledge or embrace me for who I truly am

They say I got to live by the rules
They state that I must follow the rules and regulations

Oh I don't have to ask for everything I get
I don't have to ask or plead for anything, it is given to me voluntarily

It's gotta end sometime
Everything comes to an end eventually