The Hollies released their first record in 1963. All these years later, they are still touring and releasing records. In that time, the band from the north of England has scored more than a dozen Top 40 hits on both sides of the Atlantic, in addition to several hit albums. Here are the top 10 songs given to us by Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, Eric Haydock, Bernie Calvert, and Terry Sylvester – the fabulous Hollies.
10. On a Carousel (1967)
Composed by the Hollies’ in-house songwriting team of Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, and Graham Nash, “On a Carousel” features the trademark Hollies harmonies and fine lead guitar work by Hicks. The song likens the struggles of life and love to being stuck on the classic carnival ride. A Top 20 hit in both the US and the UK.
9. Gasoline Alley Bred (1970)
Recorded after Graham Nash had left the group, “Gasoline Alley Bred” features Terry Sylvester taking over the high harmony spot. Bernie Calvert contributes a creative bass line and understated piano grace notes. One of the finest songs of the Hollies’ post-Nash era.
8. Stop! Stop! Stop! (1966)
The star of “Stop! Stop! Stop!” is Tony Hicks’s banjo, not the usual choice of lead instrument for a 1960’s rock group. The song tells the story of a man falling in love with a dancer, going a bit too far, and getting thrown out of the club, an incident that actually happened to the Hollies.
7. Suspicious Look In Your Eyes (1966)
An album track from For Certain Because, “Suspicious Look in Your Eyes” is a beautiful pop song. Excellent twelve-string guitar playing and perfectly syncopated “bop bop” vocals make this track stand out in an album full of quality material.
6. Look Through Any Window (1965)
Tony Hicks begins and ends this song with one of the best guitar riffs of the 1960’s, played on his Vox twelve-string. “Look Through Any Window” was written by 10cc’s Graham Gouldman who also wrote “For Your Love” and “No Milk Today.”
5. Bus Stop (1966)
“Bus Stop” was a first for the Hollies in two ways – their first record to feature Bernie Calvert on bass (replacing founding member Eric Haydock) and their first big American hit. This song was also written by Graham Gouldman.
4. Pay You Back With Interest (1966)
Bernie Calvert’s piano drives this song about the guilt felt by the singer over abandoning his family for the life of a touring musician. An album-only track in England, it was a Top 20 hit in the States.
3. King Midas in Reverse (1967)
Graham Nash wrote the Hollies’ deepest foray into psychedelia. King Midas in Reverse” features dark, brooding lyrics and Beatles-style orchestration, both of which were not what the record buying public expected from the Hollies. The single’s failure and the Hollies’ resultant return to poppy love songs sowed the seeds of Nash’s departure for Crosby, Stills, and Nash the next year.
2. Carrie Anne (1967)
Originally conceived as “Hey Mr. Man” by Tony Hicks, Graham Nash has claimed “Carrie Anne” to be a veiled love note to Marianne Faithfull. Nash, Hicks, and Allan Clarke share lead vocals on this song which may be the first pop record to include a steel drum solo.
1. I Can’t Let Go (1966)
Written by Chip Taylor and Al Gorgoni, “I Can’t Let Go” is the Hollies’ masterpiece. A thumping opus of power pop, the track is an example of all the things the Hollies did best – a driving beat (supplied by the fantastic rhythm section of Bobby Elliott on drums an Eric Haydock on bass), superb guitar work, and the greatest harmonies they ever committed to vinyl.
The Hollies have released dozens of albums and singles, featuring hundreds of songs, during their career. Did I miss your favorite Hollies song? Tell me in the comments section.
