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 Me
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Until you came and liberated me
And taught my soul much about humanity yea yea yea
I needed you to know
I'm more than just a one night stand
And girl with your permission
Maybe you can give me your hand
I'm at your command
It's just the way you touch me baby
Oh it's the way you touch me baby
We can walk we can talk all night long
It's the way you touch me baby
I was alone grasping for my sanity
Your beauty came free of vanity
Wo blew my mind gave me your anatomy yea yea yea
And if you didn't know
I'm more than just a one night stand
I need some supervision
I'm losing all control of my hands
They're at your command
It's just the way you touch me baby
Oh it's the way you touch me baby
We can walk we can talk all night long
It's the way you touch me baby
And if you didn't know
You got me feeding from your hand
My chef is gonna blow
And baby it ain't going to end until your command
It's just the way you touch me baby
Oh it's the way you touch me baby
We can walk we can talk all night long
It's the way you touch me baby
The Hollies's song "Touch Me" is a love song about a man who has been liberated and taught about humanity by a woman he loves. In the first verse, he describes how he was alone, weighing all his fantasies until she liberated him. She has taught him much about humanity, and he wants her to know that he's more than just a one night stand. In the second verse, he is grasping for his sanity, but her beauty free of vanity blew his mind and gave him her anatomy. He is losing control of his hands and needs supervision. They are at her command.
Throughout the song, the man is grateful for the woman's touch. He loves the way she touches him because it can make them walk and talk all night long. The lyrics express intense desire and passion for the woman, as he is feeding from her hand and chef is about to blow. He acknowledges that everything will end with her command.
The song's lyrics are simple, but they convey a profound meaning. The man is grateful for the woman in his life, and her touch has liberated him, taught him about humanity, and given him a new lease of life filled with love and passion. The song is an ode to the beauty of love and the transformative power of a loving touch.
Line by Line Meaning
I was alone weighing all my fantasies
I was by myself, contemplating all of my desires and daydreams
Until you came and liberated me
Until you showed up and freed me from my own thoughts and limitations
And taught my soul much about humanity yea yea yea
And showed me a lot about human nature and life in general
I needed you to know
I wanted to tell you that
I'm more than just a one night stand
I am not someone who you can use for a brief time and discard
And girl with your permission
And, if you allow me
Maybe you can give me your hand
Perhaps you could offer me your companionship
I'm at your command
I am willing to do whatever you would like
It's just the way you touch me baby
It's the manner in which you physically interact with me that excites me
We can walk we can talk all night long
We can spend time together, talking and enjoying each other's company into the wee hours of the morning
I was alone grasping for my sanity
I felt like I was losing my grip on reality when I was alone
Your beauty came free of vanity
You are naturally attractive and don't seem to be focused on your own appearance too much
Wo blew my mind gave me your anatomy yea yea yea
You impressed me so much that I was left in awe and admiration of your physical form
I need some supervision
I require guidance and assistance in controlling myself
I'm losing all control of my hands
I am having trouble controlling my urge to touch you
They're at your command
My hands are yours to direct and control
And if you didn't know
In case you were unaware
You got me feeding from your hand
You have me wrapped around your finger, completely under your influence
My chef is gonna blow
My excitement and desire are reaching their peak
And baby it ain't going to end until your command
This feeling and willingness to please you will continue as long as you desire it to
Contributed by Stella I. 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.