The Hollies are a well-respected British beat and pop band that formed in t… Read Full Bio ↴The Hollies are a well-respected British beat and pop band that formed in the early 60s. Initially they had a squeaky-clean image and were famous for their rich vocal harmonies, rivaling those of The Beach Boys. Between 1964 and 1969, only two Hollies songs failed to reach the UK Top 10. Their most famous member was Graham Nash, who left in 1968 to form the folk supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash. Two of the core members, drummer Bobby Elliott and lead guitarist Tony Hicks, still perform with The Hollies into the new millennium.

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)

Whatcha Gonna Do 'Bout It
The Hollies Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Our love yeah yeah yeah
Is slowly going on the rocks now yeah yeah yeah
Tell me, tell me baby
Whatcha gonna do 'bout it
Whatcha gonna do 'bout it

Our love yeah yeah yeah
Is in double jeopardy yeah yeah yeah yeah

Show me, show me sugar-pie
Whatcha gonna do 'bout it
Whatcha gonna do 'bout it

You know I try to keep you satisfied
But you just won't comprehend
And if you keep on doin', doin' what you're doin'
You know our love will surely end

Don't you know that our love yeah yeah yeah
Is slowly going on the rocks now yeah yeah yeah yeah
Tell me, tell me baby
Whatcha gonna do 'bout it
Whatcha gonna do 'bout it

You know I try to keep you satisfied
But you just won't comprehend
And if you keep on doin', doin' what you're doin'
You know our love will surely end

Don't you know that our love yeah yeah yeah
Is slowly going on the rocks now yeah yeah yeah yeah
Tell me, tell me baby
Whatcha gonna do 'bout it
Whatcha gonna do 'bout it

Oh tell me, tell me baby,
Whatcha gonna do 'bout it

Overall Meaning

The opening chorus of The Hollies' classic hit song "Whatcha Gonna Do 'Bout It" starts off with a clear indication of the state of the relationship - that the love between the couple is slowly going on the rocks. The first verse then poses the question to the partner - "Whatcha gonna do 'bout it?" - asking them what actions they plan to take to save the relationship? The phrase "yeah yeah yeah" is repeated after each line of the chorus and the verses, which serves as a sign of exasperation.

The second verse takes things a step further - by pointing out that the relationship now faces "double jeopardy" - which means that the couple's love is facing risks from two separate triggers. The chorus reiterates the problem, and the singer again asks, "Whatcha gonna do 'bout it?"

The final verse reveals that one partner (the singer) has already tried to address the issues by attempting to make the other person happy ("You know I try to keep you satisfied"). However, despite the efforts made, the partner has not responded accordingly. As the song reaches the conclusion, the singer laments the apparent conclusion of their love story unless the other partner makes amends.

Overall, the song is a commentary on the fragility of love and the importance of communication in relationships. It highlights the need for both partners to be active in repairing their relationship and saving their love story.

Line by Line Meaning

Our love yeah yeah yeah
The love between us has started to suffer.

Is slowly going on the rocks now yeah yeah yeah
Our love is gradually deteriorating.

Tell me, tell me baby
Please communicate with me.

Whatcha gonna do 'bout it
What are you planning to do to fix our relationship?

Whatcha gonna do 'bout it
What actions will you take to save our relationship?

Our love yeah yeah yeah
The love between us is in serious danger.

Is in double jeopardy yeah yeah yeah yeah
Our love is in a dangerous and uncertain state.

Show me, show me sugar-pie
Prove to me that you care.

Whatcha gonna do 'bout it
What steps will you take to fix our relationship?

Whatcha gonna do 'bout it
What are your plans to save our relationship?

You know I try to keep you satisfied
I make an effort to ensure your happiness.