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)
Very last day
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the very last day
When they hear that bell
Ring the world away
Everybody's gonna pray to the heavens on the Judgment Day
Well you can sing about the great King David
And you can preach about the wisdom of Saul
When the trumpet sounds the call
All equal and the same
When the Lord, He calls your name
Get ready brothers for that day
Everybody's gonna pray
On the very last day
When they hear that bell
Ring the world away
Everybody's gonna pray to the heavens on the Judgment Day
Well one day soon all men will stand
His words will be heeded in all the land
Men shall know and men shall see
We all are brothers and we all are free
Mankind was made of clay
Each of us in the very same way
Get ready brothers for that day
Everybody's gonna pray
On the very last day
When they hear that bell
Ring the world away
Everybody's gonna pray to the heavens on the Judgment Day
Break
Well the law is given and the law is known
The tale is told and the seed is sown
From dust we came and dust we'll go
You know the Lord once told us so
Each brother take His hand
Heed the meaning of the Lord's command
Get ready brother for that day
Everybody's gonna pray
On the very last day
When they hear that bell
Ring the world away
Everybody's gonna pray to the heavens on the Judgment Day
Judgment Day
Judgment Day
Judgment Day
The Hollies' song "The Very Last Day" is a meditation on the inevitability of Judgment Day, a time when all people will be judged by God. The song is filled with religious imagery, including references to King David and Saul, and a trumpet sounding the call for Judgment Day. The song acknowledges that all human beings are equal in the eyes of God and will be judged equally on that final day.
The lyrics highlight the need for individuals to be ready for Judgment Day, urging listeners to take the meaning of the Lord's command to heart and be prepared for when the bell rings: "Get ready brothers for that day / Everybody's gonna pray on the very last day / When they hear that bell, ring the world away / Everybody's gonna pray to the heavens on the Judgment Day." The song also emphasizes the power of prayer, as it's suggested that everyone will pray to the heavens on Judgment Day.
Overall, "The Very Last Day" is a song that seeks to inspire individuals to live a life that's prepared for eternal judgment, while also serving as a reminder of the universality of human beings and their ultimate equality in the eyes of God.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's gonna pray
All humans will pray
On the very last day
On the day of Judgment
When they hear that bell
When the trumpet sounds
Ring the world away
When the world ends
Everybody's gonna pray to the heavens on the Judgment Day
Everyone will pray to the heavens on Judgment Day
Well you can sing about the great King David
People talk about King David frequently
And you can preach about the wisdom of Saul
And they also talk about the wisdom of Saul
But the Judgment falls on all mankind
Judgment affects everyone
When the trumpet sounds the call
When Judgment Day arrives
All equal and the same
Everyone is equal
When the Lord, He calls your name
When God calls you
Get ready brothers for that day
Prepare for Judgment Day
Well one day soon all men will stand
One day all people will face Judgment
His words will be heeded in all the land
God's word will be respected everywhere
Men shall know and men shall see
Everyone will understand
We all are brothers and we all are free
We are all siblings and we are all free
Mankind was made of clay
Humans were created from clay
Each of us in the very same way
Equally created from clay
Break
Instrumental break
Well the law is given and the law is known
The law is established and familiar
The tale is told and the seed is sown
The story is shared and the message spread
From dust we came and dust we'll go
We were created from dust and will return to it
You know the Lord once told us so
This is what God told us
Each brother take His hand
Everyone takes God's hand
Heed the meaning of the Lord's command
Listen to what God commands
Judgment Day
Day of Judgment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sapphiretaurus
Thanks for putting this up, Lynn! This is a one-of-a-kind live performance as only the Hollies can do. Allan's introductions are hilarious, especially when they start clapping during Tony and Graham's parts. Allan's voice is stunning and electrifying, as is the man himself!
Tess Flores
Absolutely fantastic!
Ann Canekral
I love this performance. Allan Clarke was just great, fantastic singer. All the Hollies were awesome musicians. One of the best bands ever, The Hollies.
Profesora Nut
This is one of my VERY FAVORITE live videos of the Hollies... there's so much I could say, it's the best! You know what they say, a picture's worth a thousand words... well, this video must be worth a million :3
Jean Cargen
Pure takent!!!
Anita Högman-Plodek
❤
Joaquim francisco de oliveira
Alan Clarke uma das vozes mais extraordinárias e melódicas do rock clássico...
Reg Prata
FABULOUS: Allan has been underrated for his excellent vocals. There is absolutely NO recording one can get of him where his vocals are less than excellent. OK there were the Beatles, but I really cannot understand why The Hollies had less projection than them. Guys are amazing, and even when Allan - who is retired - comes back to sing something, his performances are always just perfect.
Paul Chow
The Hollies are great.Especially the 3 vocals in every song
oughton oughton
Paul i like your comment , these divine guys had voices and harmonies to match ,, long live the 60s era i was their lol Jane x