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)
Stop Right There
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't ever let me be
It's always holding me to you
And the strange things you say to me
Why do you play with me
It's just too sad to see
[Chorus:]
Tell me what you're doing to my mind in there
Tell me what you're doing Am I blind
Long ago everything about you was for me to hold
Now my thoughts about you won't stay cold
And in time I might slip away
Into the light of day
But with you I must stay it's true
Wishful thinking will just bring me down
It's plain to see you own
The ground I'm standing on
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
The Hollies's song "Stop Right There" is a poignant ballad that describes the overpowering hold that someone has over the singer. The lyrics "And the power you have over, Won't ever let me be, It's always holding me to you" reveal the singer's feelings of being trapped in a relationship. They are unable to break free and are constantly drawn to the other person. The lyrics "And the strange things you say to me, why do you play with me, It's just too sad to see" hint at the manipulative behaviour of the other person, who uses words to entangle the singer.
The chorus of the song is a plea from the singer for the other person to explain what they are doing to their mind. The lyrics "Stop right there, Tell me what you're doing to my mind in there, Tell me what you're doing Am I blind" show the singer's confusion and vulnerability. They have lost control of their thoughts and are unable to see the situation clearly. The lyrics "Long ago everything about you was for me to hold, Now my thoughts about you won't stay cold, And in time I might slip away, Into the light of day, But with you I must stay it's true" highlight the singer's inner conflict. They know that they need to leave, but they are unable to do so because of the intense emotional connection they have with the other person.
Overall, "Stop Right There" is a powerful and emotional song that portrays the complexity of human relationships. It highlights the struggle of breaking free from an overwhelming emotional bond and the confusion that arises from it.
Line by Line Meaning
And the power you have over
Your hold over me is so strong
Won't ever let me be
I can't escape your hold on me
It's always holding me to you
I'm constantly drawn to you
And the strange things you say to me
Your words confuse and bewilder me
Why do you play with me
Why do you toy with my feelings
It's just too sad to see
It's painful to witness your emotional games
[Chorus:]
The chorus begins
Stop right there
Please pause and explain yourself
Tell me what you're doing to my mind in there
Explain the effect you have on my thoughts and emotions
Tell me what you're doing Am I blind
Am I oblivious to your manipulations
Long ago everything about you was for me to hold
Once upon a time, I thought I had you all to myself
Now my thoughts about you won't stay cold
Now my feelings towards you are complicated
And in time I might slip away
I may eventually try to distance myself
Into the light of day
Towards a clearer awareness of reality
But with you I must stay it's true
But I know I can't quit you completely
Wishful thinking will just bring me down
Hopeful fantasies about us won't help me
It's plain to see you own
It's obvious that you have control over
The ground I'm standing on
Every aspect of my life, even my basic footing
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CLARKE, GRAHAM NASH, TONY HICKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Claudia Gonzalez
Como canta Graham Nash... lo adoro, su voz es muy dulce, al igual que él
blackcladlizard
This album and the Association's Birthday are a great pair together!
theshameofthesun
i just discovered this album, love Birthday Morning
francois huglo
Ces voix ! ces cordes ! Ce son ! Un sommet.
Ken Grew
Incredible song!
TheHarmonicWheel
This is absolutely unbelievable! So great!
Rick Retas
I always thought that Nash, Still and Co could harmonize ALMOST as good as Simon and Garfunkl - after hearing this, I am convinced, they are STILL ALMOST etc.
Norma Tible
No. The voice harmonies are Nash, Allan Clarke, tony hicks ,the Hollies
Josh Davis
Best Hollies song. Period.
American Born Patriot.
Gosh, another new song I've never heard of before and I feel strongly for and is happening to me. Thank you so much.