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)
Something To Live For
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the trains don't ever stop
Though we hear all night sounds
There's no side left to the shop
Nothing but changes of face
That life arranges
Nothing but strangeness that wastes
Anything it replaces
We've seen so many dreams
Floating out into the tide
They're never what they seem
And there's emptiness inside
Nothing but changes of face
That life arranges
Nothing but strangeness that wastes
Anything it replaces
Keep pushing tomorrow
You might just find
Something to live for
Keep hustling tomorrow
You might just find
That elusive something
We've got so many ways
To take the world apart
And almost no one stays
If they make it from the start
Nothing but changes of face
That life arranges
Nothing but strangeness that wastes
Anything it replaces
Keep pushing tomorrow
You might just find
Something to live for
Keep hustling tomorrow
You might just find
Something to live for
Keep pushing tomorrow
You might just find
Something to live for
Keep hustling tomorrow
Until you find that elusive something
The Hollies’ song “Something to Live For” is a poignant commentary on the transience and uncertainty of life. The opening lines speak of their travels and experiences of towns where the trains don’t stop, suggesting a disconnected and impersonal world, where it is hard to find a meaningful connection with other people. The refrain “nothing but changes of face that life arranges” suggests the futility of trying to build lasting relationships. The transience of life is further explored through the metaphor of dreams floating out into the tide and the emptiness inside that is left behind. The repetition of the phrase “nothing but strangeness that wastes anything it replaces” speaks of the sadness and futility of fleeting connections.
Despite the bleak mood of the song, the chorus contains a hopeful message encouraging perseverance and the promise of “something to live for”. The repetition of the line “keep pushing tomorrow, you might just find” suggests the possibility of optimism amidst life’s uncertainty. The lyrics present the idea that it is possible to find meaning through perseverance and an ongoing search for something that is just out of reach.
Overall, “Something to Live For” presents a powerful message about the struggle to find meaning in an unpredictable and transitory world. The lyrics capture the sadness of fleeting experiences and connections while also offering a shining glimmer of hope for those who continue to search for their elusive “something”.
Line by Line Meaning
We've seen so many towns
The song starts with a reference to the numerous towns the singer has visited.
Where the trains don't ever stop
These towns are so desolate that even the trains don't stop there.
Though we hear all night sounds
Despite hearing noises at night, the town remains quiet and empty.
There's no side left to the shop
The shop has lost all its customers and has no purpose anymore.
Nothing but changes of face
People come and go in these towns too often.
That life arranges
This is just a natural cycle of life.
Nothing but strangeness that wastes
These towns are strange and eerie, and it wastes anything that tries to inhabit them.
Anything it replaces
The strange atmosphere makes it difficult for anything to thrive there.
We've seen so many dreams
The singer has seen many dreams and aspirations.
Floating out into the tide
These dreams often fade away like a ship floating out to the vast ocean.
They're never what they seem
The dreams aren't what they appear to be, often leaving the singer feeling empty.
And there's emptiness inside
These failed dreams leave a void within the singer.
Keep pushing tomorrow
The chorus offers encouragement to keep going despite the hardships.
You might just find
There's still hope to find what the singer is looking for.
Something to live for
That elusive something that gives life purpose.
Keep hustling tomorrow
The same encouragement as before, just with a different phrasing.
You might just find
Reiterating the possibility of discovering that elusive something.
That elusive something
What the singer has been searching for throughout the song.
We've got so many ways
The singer has tried many paths in life.
To take the world apart
But none of the paths offered a solution to the emptiness they feel inside.
And almost no one stays
Everyone comes and goes, including the singer's companions.
If they make it from the start
Most people don't make it past the starting point of their journey in life.
Until you find that elusive something
The ultimate goal is still to discover that elusive something.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KieroUnasBotasAGoGo
Me gusta mucho esta canción tanto con Jack Bruce como con los Hollies, quienes hacen un excelente cover. Buenísima
emmadetten
Wow! This was a Jack Bruce song and these cats got all the chords right. Cool
Harrisonianne
That's because Bruce was a random studio Hollies' member (among others like s Jonesy and Klaus Voormann) in the mid 60s, when bassist Eric Haydock left lol
Paulo Capella
Viewtiful!
Brenda Naschinski
Cool hunk of Man love you babydoll hunkalicious Allan Clarke live your voice
davej1968
Anybody out there got the Jack Bruce version ? This is good but Jack is better