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)
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
The Hollies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My, my, my, my, my what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Mr Bluebird on my shoulder
Well, it's true now, well, it's factual
Oh, oh, every thing's gonna be satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, my, my, my, my what a wonderful day
Mr Bluebird on my shoulder
Well, it's true now, well, it's factual
Oh, oh, every thing's gonna be satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, my, my, my, my what a wonderful day
Mr Bluebird on my shoulder
Well, it's true now, well, it's factual
Oh, oh, every thing's gonna be satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, my, my, my, my what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah now, zip-a-dee-ay
Zip-a-dee-doo-darling now
Zip-a-dee-ay
"Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" is a joyful, optimistic song that encourages us to look on the bright side, to see the beauty in even the most mundane things. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a carefree, joyful day full of sunshine and bluebirds.
The theme of the song is that life is full of wonderful things, and we should embrace them with enthusiasm and gratitude. The lyricist uses "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" as a kind of happy-go-lucky mantra, a simple phrase that encapsulates the spirit of the song.
The reference to "Mr. Bluebird" is a metaphor for happiness, and the song suggests that we should seek happiness in even the smallest things. It emphasizes the power of positive thinking to change our outlook on life and to help us overcome our troubles.
Overall, the song is a testament to the power of optimism and the importance of finding joy in life's simple pleasures. Its upbeat melody and catchy lyrics have made it a beloved classic, inspiring generations of listeners to see the world through the eyes of a child.
Line by Line Meaning
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Expressing excitement and joy about the day ahead
My, my, my, my, my what a wonderful day
Emphasizing how great the day is going to be
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Expecting good things to happen and a bright future
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah now, zip-a-dee-ay
Repeating the joyful expression from before
Mr Bluebird on my shoulder
Feeling lucky and happy to have a bird as a companion
Well, it's true now, well, it's factual
Asserting the reality of the situation
Oh, oh, every thing's gonna be satisfactual
Everything will work out and be just fine
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Repeating the joyful expression again
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Continuing to anticipate a good day
Zip-a-dee-doo-darling now
Adding affection and love to the joyful expression
Zip-a-dee-ay
Ending the song with the joyful and optimistic expression
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.