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)
This Is It
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the playground to the dance hall
From the same old dirty housing
I call her friend
All her friends I will call my friends
All the time we call our own
Well, we used to stand together
Now I stand alone
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, it's touch and go
Well, I should've seen it coming
Well, I should've read the signs
She was gone in the morning
Left me with red eyes at night
Well, she couldn't even tell me
Didn't tell me I'm out of line
'Cause my courage must've failed her
Turning out the light
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, it's touch and go
What if I should find you
Drag you to your room
That's the trouble you've been struggling go too soon
Well, I hope you make it big time
Well, I hope you got it right
That the way you got no heart to put up a fight
Maybe I'm new to this small town
But I still got more than you
Why don't you just try and call me
When you're passing through
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, it's touch and go
What if I should find you
Take you to a movie
That's the trouble you've been struggling go too soon
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, it's touch and go
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is it, it's touch and go
The Hollies's "This is It" is a poignant song about lost love and heartbreak. The lyrics recount the story of a boy who has known a girl since childhood and has always considered her a friend. They have shared many memories, from playing on the playground to partying in the same old housing estate. But now he stands alone, having missed the signs that she had fallen out of love with him. He wonders why he was the last to know that their relationship was over. The chorus repeats the refrain of "This is It" that underscores the finality of the situation.
The verse continues with a sense of regret as he realizes that he should have seen the breakup coming. He sees her leaving in the morning, and he is left with red eyes and tears of frustration at night. She didn't even tell him what had gone wrong, and he feels that his courage failed him in this relationship. As the chorus repeats, the sense of disbelief and hurt are palpable.
The bridge of the song is a plea to find her and reconcile, to have one last chance to put things right. However, there is also an underlying sense that he knows that this may not be possible. The final verses express the wish that she has made it big in the world and that she got things right. There are also suggestions that she may not have had the heart to break up with him in person- she may have simply left without saying goodbye. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the finality and emotional turmoil that he feels.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've known this girl forever
I have known this girl for a long time
From the playground to the dance hall
We have spent time together in different places
From the same old dirty housing
We come from the same poor living conditions
I call her friend
She is my friend
All her friends I will call my friends
I know and am friends with all of her friends
All the time we call our own
We spend time together
Well, we used to stand together
We used to be close
Now I stand alone
I am alone without her
This is it, how was I the last to know
This is the end, and I am surprised I didn't see it coming
This is it, it's touch and go
This is the end, and it may not end well
Well, I should've seen it coming
I should have noticed the signs
Well, I should've read the signs
I should have paid attention to what was happening
She was gone in the morning
She left without saying goodbye
Left me with red eyes at night
I cried all night after she left
Well, she couldn't even tell me
She didn't even have the decency to tell me
Didn't tell me I'm out of line
She didn't tell me I was wrong
'Cause my courage must've failed her
I didn't have the courage to ask her what was wrong
Turning out the light
She left without turning off the light
What if I should find you
What if I were to see you
Drag you to your room
Take you to your room
That's the trouble you've been struggling go too soon
That's why you left too soon
Well, I hope you make it big time
I hope you become successful
Well, I hope you got it right
I hope you made the right decision
That the way you got no heart to put up a fight
You left without trying to fight for our relationship
Maybe I'm new to this small town
Maybe I am not familiar with this town
But I still got more than you
I still have more than you do
Why don't you just try and call me
Why don't you try to contact me
When you're passing through
When you are in the area
Take you to a movie
Go to a movie together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MALDWYN POPE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
carrieanne1967
Thanks Guys - I just love this brilliant song - Allan is so animated and Tony is totally electric - Hollies Forever !!!!!!!
Doris May
Great song love this
Poopaloo55
They nailed the mid-80's sound and vibe! Allan's looking good at 45. Thanks for this...xx
Peter K.
such a great rockin song from Hollies....simply wonderful...
Diana Taylor
Great, great song. Allan looking mighty fine and, adorable Tony just never aging.
ther51
Love it..great one from the Hollies...
Brenda Naschinski
Love you babydoll Allan Clarke love that voice and he's always been a fantastic performer. Love him from head to toe
Jd Mc
i remember this..my dad bought this single to add to his amazing Hollies collection
jasann54
Couldn't have said it better, Carole - Hollies Forever! Thanks for continuing to post your vids.
redhairkid
Fantastic! Why was this not a hit? Incidentally, the song's writer, Maldwyn Pope, also sang the theme to the UK children's program 'Fireman Sam'!