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)
Star
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saw a thumb going up, I said driver go back
Played her a track from my latest LP
Getting bad vibes she hadn't recognized me
She said she didn't know me but my name's been in lights
Giant size neons on the strip every night
The camera man did the best that he can
I'm a star, yeah
I'm a star (baby, bathe in my glow)
I'm a star anyway
I was trying to be nice, but I'm not into that
I usually make it without any chat
She was taking it easy, taking it slow
I said, "Come on baby, I'm ready to go"
I'm a star, yeah
I'm a star (baby, bathe in my glow)
I'm a star anyway
She said, "Drop me off here"
And to my surprise
You wouldn't believe it, it was Beverly Drive
Some sort of commotion, what's happening here
We've arrived at her premiere, I shouldn't be here
She's a star, yeah
She's a star, I didn't know it
She's a star anyway
The Hollies' song "Star" is about a popular musician who is out driving in his luxurious Cadillac when he sees a young woman hitchhiking. He decides to give her a ride, hoping to impress her with his music. As he plays a track from his latest album for her, he realizes that she doesn't recognize him or his music, and he becomes frustrated. The woman tells him that she doesn't know him, despite the fact that his name is in lights every night. Eventually, the musician becomes impatient and tries to convince the woman to come with him, but she insists on getting out of the car. As they reach her destination on Beverly Drive, he realizes that she is a star in her own right and feels embarrassed for his earlier behavior.
The song reflects the pressures of fame and success in the music industry, and the importance of recognition and validation. The singer is disheartened when the woman doesn't recognize him, showing how important it is for him to be acknowledged and appreciated for his work. Meanwhile, the twist at the end of the song highlights the idea that everyone has their own unique successes and talents, and how important it is to recognize and appreciate those differences.
Overall, "Star" is a catchy and upbeat song that explores the complexities of fame and recognition in the music industry, as well as the importance of valuing and supporting the work of others.
Line by Line Meaning
I was jiving along in my big Cadillac
The singer was driving in his big car feeling good
Saw a thumb going up, I said driver go back
He saw someone hitchhiking and asked the driver to turn back
Played her a track from my latest LP
He played a song from his new album for her
Getting bad vibes she hadn't recognized me
He sensed that she didn't recognize him and felt uneasy
She said she didn't know me but my name's been in lights
She claimed not to know him, even though he's famous
Giant size neons on the strip every night
His name is prominently displayed in lights on the street at night
The camera man did the best that he can
The photographer tried to capture his essence
Still she said, "I don't know you, I just can't understand"
Despite all this, she still denied knowing him
I'm a star, yeah
The artist is a famous person
I'm a star (baby, bathe in my glow)
He's proud of his fame and wants her to bask in it
I'm a star anyway
He's confident in his fame even if she doesn't recognize it
I was trying to be nice, but I'm not into that
He was trying to be polite, but he doesn't like rejection
I usually make it without any chat
Usually he doesn't need to talk to get what he wants
She was taking it easy, taking it slow
She was going at her own pace
I said, "Come on baby, I'm ready to go"
He urged her to pick up the pace
She said, "Drop me off here"
She wanted to get out of the car
And to my surprise
The next thing that happened was unexpected
You wouldn't believe it, it was Beverly Drive
The location was on Beverly Drive, which he found surprising
Some sort of commotion, what's happening here
There was some kind of excitement or frenzy going on
We've arrived at her premiere, I shouldn't be here
They arrived at her movie premiere, which he felt was awkward
She's a star, yeah
He realizes that she's also famous
She's a star, I didn't know it
He wasn't aware of her fame before
She's a star anyway
He acknowledges her stardom and importance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN (GB CLARKE, TERRY SYLVESTER, TONY HICKS
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.