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)
Touch
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the cold sea the sun went down
Bright stars on the blue water
In the hours of the night
All the sweetness touched by hands
Everything's close but so far away
Everything's given to people as a law
The wind rests
The creek is like a mirror
And the sailor takes down the sails
Over the meadow
The mist is dancing
You can't believe it
But this is all yours
All the sweetness touched by hands
Everything's close but so far away
Everything's given to people as a law
Break
Quiet shadows plays in the evening
In the cold sea the sun went down
Bright stars on the blue water
In the hours of the night
All the sweetness touched by hands
Everything's close but so far away
Everything's given to people as a law
The lyrics to The Hollies' song "Touch" paint a serene yet somehow melancholic picture of a peaceful evening setting. The "quiet shadows" and the "cold sea" where the "sun went down" evoke a sense of tranquility and closure. The imagery of "bright stars on the blue water" suggests the vastness of the universe and our small place in it. The second stanza continues with the theme of nearness and distance, with the paradox that everything is "close but so far away." This seems to suggest a longing for something beyond our reach, despite it being all around us. The final stanza captures the essence of the song, with the idea that all of this beauty and serenity is "yours," yet it is also given to "people as a law." This juxtaposition speaks to the idea that we have access to so much beauty and wonder in the world if only we take the time to notice it.
Line by Line Meaning
Quiet shadows plays in the evening
The peaceful tranquility of a calm evening sets in with shadows starting to form.
In the cold sea the sun went down
The sun sets in the sea, creating a chilly atmosphere.
Bright stars on the blue water
The stars shine on the serene blue water enhancing the beauty of the night.
In the hours of the night
This is happening during the night time.
All the sweetness touched by hands
All the great things in life are attainable by anyone who reaches for them.
Everything's close but so far away
While everything looks attainable, it can be much harder to actually obtain it.
Everything's given to people as a law
The universe has rules or laws that dictate how everything functions.
The wind rests
The wind settles down and gives way to a peaceful environment.
The creek is like a mirror
The water is so still that it reflects back as if it were a mirror.
And the sailor takes down the sails
The sailor realizes that there is no wind left and decides to take down the sails.
Over the meadow
The sailor is on the sea surrounded by the land and nature.
The mist is dancing
A thin fog or mist is hovering over the water and appears to be dancing.
You can't believe it
The beauty of the moment is so overwhelming it's hard to comprehend.
But this is all yours
You have the opportunity to experience all this beauty and serenity.
Break
The song takes a momentary pause or break here.
Quiet shadows plays in the evening
The tranquility of a calm evening continues.
In the cold sea the sun went down
The sun has ultimately set and the night is becoming colder.
Bright stars on the blue water
The stars are shining even brighter now, illuminating the blue water.
In the hours of the night
This is still happening during the night time.
All the sweetness touched by hands
This line is repeated to emphasize the importance of it- that greatness in life is attainable.
Everything's close but so far away
The same line is used again to reiterate that while things are attainable, it can still be difficult to obtain them.
Everything's given to people as a law
The last line is repeated for the final time to reinforce that nature and the universe operates in a very specific way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MIKAEL RICKFORS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sam P
I bought this album on 8 track and played it constantly. Sounds as good now as back then! Great song!
adm712
One person severely overlooked on this great album was Bernie Calvert. His bass playing in this album is right up there with any great bass player of this era
carrieanne1967
Thanks Marc - Mikael Rickfors was only with The Hollies for a short space of time but he sure left his mark musically - Fantastic lead vocals on this track and harmonies to die for !!!
XO MtHood
I originally bought this album when it came out expecting more of Distant Light. It wasn't what I expected and I shelved it for a long time but after reviewing my entire collection lately, I find it is quite a good album.
Jesse Hale
Great song, I only discovered a few months ago on my Romany CD, thanks!
Agostino Apicelli
fantastico brano.magia pura
psychobollox
And this was his song on the album too. But, absolutely left a mark on the band's history. If this stuff were played to most, though, I'd have to wonder how many would actually get it that this was the Hollies if there were no clues as to the band's name.
Jon Dickinson
The Hollies did some great music.
Kevin Harkin
Absolutely superb vocalist from a brilliant album it was a great diversion but theres only one Allan Clarke
lennart2089
+Kevin Harkin this song is sung and was written by the bands second vocalist, Mikael Rickfors. Thereaft the diversion!