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)
Signs That Will Never Change
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Robins weep and watch them sail away
Floating on the water now is autumn's last farewell
Signs that will never change
Rivers once were frozen now they're free
Showing winter's going rapidly
Tadpoles turning into frogs in winter's last farewell
These are signs that will never change
Signs that will never change
The changing faces of the seasons
Are those that cannot be compared
Except in love it sometimes happens
Love grows but all too soon it dies
Tadpoles turning into frogs in winter's last farewell
These are signs that will never change
Signs that will never change
Signs that will never change
The Hollies's song Signs That Will Never Change is a reflection of the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The opening lines describe the falling leaves on a winter's day, symbolizing the end of one season and the start of another. The robins weeping and watching the leaves sail away further emphasize this transition as nature prepares for a new cycle. This sentiment is echoed with the image of autumn bidding its final farewell, floating on the water. The chorus reinforces the idea that these are "signs that will never change," indicating that change is a constant and that nature's cycles will always repeat themselves.
The second verse emphasizes the swift pace of winter as rivers once frozen are now flowing freely. The tadpoles turning into frogs symbolize another transition as winter takes its final bow. The bridge of the song introduces the idea that the faces of the seasons are constantly changing, much like the faces of love, which sometimes grows and sometimes fades away. The final chorus repeats the sentiment of the first, highlighting that some things will never change - like the cycles of nature and the inevitability of change.
Line by Line Meaning
Leaves come falling on a winter's day
The arrival of winter is signaled by the fall of leaves which will not return until the next spring.
Robins weep and watch them sail away
The robins, affected by the winter season, contemplate the loss of life and vigour in their environment.
Floating on the water now is autumn's last farewell
The transition from autumn to winter is symbolised by the final display of the beauty of autumn's fallen leaves resting on water.
These are signs that will never change
These natural phenomena are indicative of the inevitable cycle of changes in the environment that people must accept and adapt to.
Rivers once were frozen now they're free
The thawing of frozen rivers reflects the end of winter and the imminent arrival of spring, freeing the flow of life in the water habitats.
Showing winter's going rapidly
The quick thawing of the previously frozen rivers indicates that winter is rapidly coming to an end.
Tadpoles turning into frogs in winter's last farewell
As winter transitions to spring, the transformation of tadpoles into frogs is a sign of the growth, change and renewal in nature.
The changing faces of the seasons
The transitions between seasons are characterised by unique and varying external appearances, revealing the complexities of the environment.
Are those that cannot be compared
The seasons, each with its own unique appearance, are incomparable to any other due to the distinctive activities, weather patterns and changes in nature brought about by each season.
Except in love it sometimes happens
The comparison of each unique season can, on some occasions, be applied to the diverse experiences of love that we might encounter.
Love grows but all too soon it dies
Despite it’s less predictable nature, love also undergoes changes and transformations until it is inevitably extinguished or defeated, like the seasonal changes in nature.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
n00se
Leaves come falling on a winter's day
Robins weep and watch them sail away
Floating on the water now, is autumn's last farewell
These are signs that will never change
Signs that will never change
Rivers once were frozen now they're free
Showing winter's going rapidly
Tadpoles turning into frogs is winter's last farewell
These are signs that will never change
Signs that will never change
The changing faces of the season
Are those that cannot be compared
Except in love it sometimes happens
It blooms but all too soon it dies
Tadpoles turning into frogs is winter's last farewell
These are signs that will never change
Signs that will never change
The changing faces of the season
Are those that cannot be compared
Except in love it sometimes happens
It blooms but all too soon it dies
Leaves are turning brown they fade and die
Geese start flying home across the sky
Nights are getting shorter now and summer's had its day
These are signs that will never change
Signs that will never change [2x]
Robbie Cadwell
One of the best b sides ever!!!! This is why you should never ignore your b sides!!
sapphiretaurus
One of my favorite Hollies songs. Another sign that will never change: The Hollies' everlastingly wonderful music!
Jackophil
The first record I ever bought, with my pocket money.. I always preferred this to the A side. It's nice to hear it again.
imkluu
I love the Hollies, second only to the Beatles in my mind, tho I grew up too late to experience and buy their records, so had never heard this song before. It is very good. Not one of their bests, but they, like the Beatles, didn't put too much trash as fillers on their albums as many in the 60s did, so most of their songs were very good.
Jarski J.
After 10 years, nobody objects this great song, thank god.
Tony Craddock
Thanks for posting this gem , If you like Hollies B-Sides buy a great CD called "The Other Side Of The Hollies" . I know Jim was wondering if it was on an album. This song is included on the set.
Bryan Palmer
I bought the LP of this comp back in the 90s-every track a gem!
powersled
Summer of -67!! Great and wonderful memories. To bad we cant put time in reverse! Sven Sweden
Gary Maher
Yeah, criminally overlooked -- amazing harmonies!
meenos3
Will never let you go hollies as long as l breath air !!!