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)
Yesterday's Gone
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where people livin just to make ends meet
And lookin back over their shoulders
At the road they should be on
It gets me wishin I could catch a wave
I'm drinkin red wine in the sunshine
And sleeping away too long
Lotsa strange things can change, ain't that the way
And blows you away
Yesterday's gone baby don't you know
You'll never get it back, gotta let it go
Yesterday's gone, it's a one night show
But you got tomorrow yea
Yesyerday's gone, look at how you've grown
Never give it up cos you're not alone
Yesterday's gone
Don't have a heart of stone yea yea yea
Ain't it a pity the way we live
Always thinkin that there's more than this
Getting sick and tired of tryin to find
Someone else we can get along
Reminiscin about the long lost days
Like a movie that I might replay
When every day lasted a lifetime
And summer went on and on
Lots of strange things can change
Ain't that the way
You think you got it figured out
And knows your own away
Yesterday's gone baby don't you know
You'll never get it back, gotta let it go
Yesterday's gone, it's a one night show
But you got tomorrow yea
Yesyerday's gone, look at how you've grown
Never give it up cos you're not alone
Yesterday's gone
Don't have a heart of stone
Yesterday's gone baby don't you know
You'll never get it back, gotta let it go
Yesterday's gone, it's a one night show
But you got tomorrow yea
Yesyerday's gone, look at how you've grown
Never give it up cos you're not alone
Yesterday's gone
Don't have a heart of stone
The lyrics of The Hollies' song "Yesterday's Gone" is about feeling stuck in a city where people are forced to live just to make ends meet. The first verse paints a picture of people who have lost their way, looking back on the path they should have taken but didn't. The singer feels alienated from this environment and longs for something different, wishing they could "catch a wave." They drink red wine in the sunshine and sleep away the day, dreaming of a better tomorrow. The second verse talks about how people are always looking for something more in life, getting tired of trying to find someone they can get along with. They reminisce about the days when time seemed to last forever and nothing was impossible.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that yesterday is gone and can never be regained. The past is just a one-night show that has passed, but there is always tomorrow. The lines "look at how you've grown" and "never give it up 'cause you're not alone" suggests that despite the struggles, the person has grown stronger and should not give up in the face of adversity. The last line "Don't have a heart of stone" is a reminder to stay open and compassionate even in the face of difficult circumstances.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing what we have in the moment. It encourages us to look towards a brighter future while still remembering where we came from.
Line by Line Meaning
In a city where nobody speaks
In a place where people never communicate
Where people livin just to make ends meet
Where people struggle to meet their basic needs
And lookin back over their shoulders
Reflecting on their past mistakes
At the road they should be on
Regretting not taking the right path in life
It gets me wishin I could catch a wave
Makes me long for carefree days
I'm drinkin red wine in the sunshine
Enjoying the simple pleasures of life
And sleeping away too long
Spending time in a state of relaxation
Lotsa strange things can change, ain't that the way
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns
You think you got it figured out
Feeling confident about your life plans
And blows you away
Suddenly ruining your plans
Yesterday's gone baby don't you know
The past cannot be changed
You'll never get it back, gotta let it go
To move forward, one must let go of the past
Yesterday's gone, it's a one night show
Life is fleeting
But you got tomorrow yea
The future offers new opportunities
Yesyerday's gone, look at how you've grown
Reflecting on personal growth over time
Never give it up cos you're not alone
Don't give up because others are in the same boat
Don't have a heart of stone yea yea yea
Stay compassionate and caring despite challenges
Ain't it a pity the way we live
It's unfortunate how we live
Always thinkin that there's more than this
Feeling unsatisfied with current circumstances
Getting sick and tired of tryin to find
Feeling exhausted from searching for something
Someone else we can get along
Struggling to connect with others
Reminiscin about the long lost days
Thinking fondly of past memories
Like a movie that I might replay
Memories flashing like a film reel
When every day lasted a lifetime
Days felt longer and more memorable in the past
And summer went on and on
Summer seemed endless and carefree
And knows your own away
Reality can throw a wrench in plans
Contributed by Jeremiah N. 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.