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)
Suspended Animation
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't see the forest for the trees
My doctor says I'm wasting my life away
I'm dying for a girl who just wants to play
And still I'm begging baby
Won't you take me please
They say you can never rise above your station
You're always screening all my calls
You've got me bouncing off your walls
If love is being patient until the day
I'm never gonna touch no one else again
But first you've gotta let me
Calm you, one time please
They say you can never rise above your station
But girl you've got me hanging in suspended animation
My doctor says I'm wasting my life away
I'm dying for a girl who just wants to play
And still I'm begging baby
Won't you take me please
They say you can never rise above your station
But girl you've got me hanging in suspended animation
The Hollies's song "Suspended Animation" is an emotional portrayal of a man who's desperately trying to find his place in a relationship. He's trapped in a dream-like state where he can't see the bigger picture, and everything around him is hazy. His doctor tells him he's wasting his life away for a girl who only wants to play, but he can't help but keep begging for her affection. The man is deeply in love and can only focus on her, and he's willing to do anything to make the relationship work, even if it means being patient and waiting for her.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the man's feeling of being stuck in a state of inaction - "They say you can never rise above your station, but girl you've got me hanging in suspended animation". He's stuck in a place where he's not progressing or moving forward, and the girl he loves is the only one who can make him feel alive again.
Overall, the song is a tragic tale of how love can be both a blessing and a curse. The man is so deeply in love that he's willing to sacrifice everything to make it work, but in doing so, he's lost sight of what's truly important - his own happiness and well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
You got me caught up in this dream
You have entranced me in a dreamlike state.
Can't see the forest for the trees
I am unable to see the bigger picture and am focused on small details.
My doctor says I'm wasting my life away
My doctor believes that I am not living up to my full potential.
I'm dying for a girl who just wants to play
I am desperately seeking a girl who is not interested in a serious relationship.
And still I'm begging baby
Despite everything, I am still pleading with my love interest.
Won't you take me please
Can you please accept me?
They say you can never rise above your station
People claim that you can never surpass your predetermined status in life.
But girl you've got me hanging in suspended animation
Yet you have me frozen in time and waiting for you.
You're always screening all my calls
You constantly ignore my attempts to contact you.
You've got me bouncing off your walls
You have me feeling overwhelmed and confused.
If love is being patient until the day
If true love means waiting until the right time, then I am willing to do so.
I'm never gonna touch no one else again
I will never be with anyone else besides you.
But first you've gotta let me
However, you need to allow me to do something first.
Calm you, one time please
Calm you down when you are feeling overwhelmed at least once, please.
Contributed by Zoe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.