Hey guys! We had this on a poll a way while back and decided it was time we looped back around to it!! Cheers guys we got some Neil Young coming Friday!! 🙌🏻🔥
I think that they were massively underrated largely just because they were so reliably excellent. No great traumas, no fuss, just another three or four major hit UK singles every year for years.
This song was done after Graham Nash left the band. The Hollies were a British Invasion band. Graham Nash left the Hollies after they rejected his song Marrakesh Express, moved to LA and joined up with David Crosby and Stephen Stills. Marrakesh Express becomes Crosby, Stills & Nash's first single.
I like that song, but it's not an obvious hit. IIRC, CSN's record label wasn't keen on it either. It just happened to catch people's fancy at a certain point in history. Probably wouldn't have done well a couple of years earlier or later.
@@michaelconnors8525 It cracked the Top 40, but yeah there were quite a few hits from 1969 that were head-scratcher's and would not have done well if released later.
My Hollies faves are from their Baroque Pop period of the late 60s where Graham Nash was very prevalent but that stuff might be a little bit too wimpy for your tastes. You guys should check The Air That I Breathe or He Ain’t Heavy next. Nothing else they do that I’ve heard really sounds like this song.
It’s interesting they rejected Marrakesh Express. “Stop! Stop! Stop!” was WAY more experimental but maybe they were trying to move away from that eastern feel. I can’t believe they rejected that, it’s as much a classic rock radio staple as this song is.
He Ain’t Heavy is a rock classic as is Long Cool Woman. Which one I prefer oftentimes depends on my mood. During the unrest these days I prefer He Ain’t Heavy.
@@Ianmackable Fogerty filed a lawsuit against the Hollies for plagiarising his song "Green River". It was settled out of court with Fogerty receiving half of the proceeds for the song.
@@betsyduane3461 Soon afterward Fogerty was sued by Little Richard's publishers over "Travelin' Band" and settled out of court. So, maybe he broke even. Anyway, the two songs that were deemed too derivative were two of my favourite songs of that era. Lesson: if you're going to steal, at least make a great record.
@@Ianmackable In fact when this song first came out, people mistaken that for a Creedence Clearwater Revival song and requested it on radio station says that credence song that just came out
Bus stop, The Air that I Breathe both classics and not at all similar. The Air That I Breathe also pioneered the yearning/cringing chord progression (I-III-IV-iv) that Radiohead's Creep later borrowed (and had to give cowriter credit to The Hollies for)
Well it's about time!! The Hollies are such an incredible band - part of the British Invasion! That opening riff alone is worth the price of admission. Solid A tune for me. Where to go from here: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, The Air That I Breathe, Bus Stop, Just One Look, Long Dark Road - that's just for starters...so many amazing tracks!!
The opening riff is probably one of the top 10 Guitar Center customer "performances". One song is actually banned in some guitar stores. Can't remember which one though. I'm old! Cut me some slack! Jack! TThat reminds me Aretha, "THINK"!!!
B+? No way! That snaking guitar line at the beginning, the cool riffs, catchy but dark melody and lyrics, fantastic guitar sound, and great production touches put this in A territory.
They are entitled to their opinion, but I agree with you. Alex and Andy didn't seem moved at all by the opening riff, which for me is nothing short of iconic.
I think that, with time, their assessment of this song may change. It was the first time they’d ever heard anything by The Hollies. Once they hear more, they may come to understand them in a different way. The Hollies weren’t an acquired taste for me - I loved them outright. But I’m much older and grew up in a different era.
If "Turn the Page" which is a slow jam is worthy of a reaction, then "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" absolutely is. The most important song The Hollies ever did.
Lyrics: Saturday night I was downtown Working for the FBI Sitting in a nest of bad men Whiskey bottles piling high Bootlegging boozer on the west side Full of people who are doing wrong Just about to call up the D.A. man When I heard this woman singing a song A pair of forty fives made me open my eyes My temperature started to rise She was a long cool woman in a black dress Just a 5'9" beautiful 'n' tall Just one look I was a bad mess 'Cause that long cool woman had it all I saw her heading to the table Well, a tall walking big black cat Charlie said, I hope that you're able, boy 'Cause I'm telling you she knows where it's at Well, suddenly we hear the sirens And everybody started to run Jumping under doors and tables Well, I heard somebody shooting a gun Well, the D.A. was pumping my left hand She was holding my right Well, I told her, don't get scared 'Cause you're gonna be spared I've gotta be forgiven if I wanna spend my living With a long cool woman in a black dress Just a 5'9" beautiful 'n' tall Well with just one look I was a bad mess 'Cause that long cool woman had it all Had it all, had it all, had it all Had it all, had it all, had it all (she had it all)
The weirdest thing about the lyrics is they paint such a vivid scene - and because of the band name I always picture a Buddy Holly type guy going from Mr. Clean Cut to maybe cutting loose a little all because of this woman. Great storyline :D
Buffalo Springfield is one of the best American bands of the 60s, in my opinion. They couldn’t go wrong picking any song off of Retrospective. GREAT SUGGESTION
💯 This song came out in 1971 and was a staple on AM Top Forty radio back in the day. The song is nearly 50 years old and still rocks! The Hollies also had hits with “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” and “The Air That I Breathe”.
These guys were as popular as the Beatles in GBR. They weren't as big in North America but have literally dozens of great tunes! "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother." is IMO one of the greatest tunes ever
GRAHAM NASH wasn't on this tune. But, this was a hugely successful period (phase II) for this Rock-n-Roll band. You should check out THE AIR THAT I BREATHE. From this same time period.
30 charting singles on the British charts. He Aint Heavy He's My Brother is probably their most widely played song, Bus Stop, Carrie Anne, The Air That I Breathe, Just One Look, Sorry Suzanne, Look Through Any Window, and more.
@@thatoneguyagain2252 I remember my brother buying the 45 "Stop, Stop, Stop". The Hollies has SO many different sounds that evolved with the times. The Hollies, in my opinion, are the exact opposite to the definition of the word "derivative".
It's been consensual for a while! Let's see, so far you've listened to the Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks, Animals, Hollies, and are planning on doing some Yardbirds. The British band that should follow would naturally be the Zombies. The Zombies' excellent "Odessey and Oracle" experienced a rebirth, and is now hailed as one of the best albums of the 60s. It's a psychedelic pop dream delight. Give "Time of the Season" a listen at least. Then get back to the Kinks ;)
The Hollies evolved from one album to the next...this was near the end of their musical evolution. Had the 8-track in my '68 Firebird and used to rattle the windows something fierce with this tune.
I’m trying to remember that B+ is a good rating. You should read the lyrics and give some recognition to what a tightly packed story it is (for a approx. 3 minute song). Also, “Derivative”? Do you mean derivative from songs before 1971 or it sounds derivative now that there has been nearly 50 years of music since it was released?
Excellent choice. This is a hard driving, dance inspiring song. When I hear this song while I'm driving, I immediately start tapping my feet and shifting my hips back and forth in my seat.😁
Such a great band. Long Cool Woman is their CCR inspired hit and an anamoly in their catalogue, being a solo showcase for singer Allan Clarke in contrast to their usual marvellous Harmony led poprock.
I think you guys sometimes lose site of the fact that you are reviewing songs that are over 50yrs old. The initial thought shouldn't be that you've heard this all before, but rather "oh, so this is where it came from".
Yeah this song is 1971.. If a band tossed it out in 1981 as a new wave bop it would fly. Crisp, to the point. Now I love progressive but this pushes back hard in its time. "The air that I breathe" is my fav Hollies. I'm just a hopeless romantic I guess.
Well said. Trust me, in 1972 (not '71), when this song was blasting out of every radio, absolutely nobody was thinking, "This is good. What a shame it's so derivative."
I wish I could hit the thumbs up a hundred times on your comment. It's easy to lose sight of a song's age and context. By reacting to each song as a standalone entity there's little or no appreciation of the state of music, nor what the competition was doing, at the time the song was released.
The Hollies were in the same boat as The Kinks, The Animals, Jerry and the Pacemakers, etc...They were competing for radio airplay with The Beatles which was a Herculean task. Allan Clarke sang most of their hits and was a fine vocalist. I really love "Bus Stop" and "Air That I Breath". He also sang "Breakdown" for The Alan Parsons Project.
My grandpa used to always play and sing this song to me and my brothers on his Gretsch. I still get goosebumps every time I hear that intro and guitar riff.
"He Aint Heavy, He's My Brother" by the Hollies (the Vietnam War Veterans tribute video) is a very touching video that will make you want to cry. Please react to that!
The coolest thing about this song, is there is literally 3 rhythm guitars playing at the same time. When you first sit down to try and play this, you quickly find its impossible to get the right sound.. it's because they have 3 players playing a different thing, but it sounds like 1 guitar.... It's genius...
Exactly. That was a big oops.Did they not check the date of the song or band, or even tell just by the sound? Love these guys, but they did not place this song in context at all.
@@scottmcrae3355 Keep in mind that this song was a hit a couple of years after CCR's heyday. To a lot of kids hearing it on AM radio it would have been totally fresh. Besides, to my ears Allan Clarke doesn't sound anything like John Fogerty. The similarity is in the guitar sound and the echoey production. A style that Fogerty intended as a tribute to the Sun Records sound of the 50's.
@@cazgerald9471 Yes, I always thought that was small-minded of him. That same year Little Richard's publishers sued Fogerty over "Travelin' Band". It was settled out of court.
Their song Carrie Ann great song was about Mary Ann Faithful, Mick Jaggers old flame. She was a underage runaway groupie. All the boys had a crush on her. Old Mick won though. As tears go by Jagger wrote for Mary Ann to sing and she really does a great job nice voice. Lots of tidbits from the past. 👍😊✌
@@kdpflush I guess "eh" could be taken as "meh," which wasn't my intent. They have a good catalog, but I think compared to their contemporaries, it was "good," not great. They had some GREAT songs, but - in my opinion, and that is all it is :) - it isn't a band that I would sit through every album, then start at the beginning and repeat. Probably will get flack for saying this... but I feel the same way about the Doors, when they had a great song, it was GREAT. The rest? Just good. In their defense, the mid-60s right up to the disco era was an amazing time to listen to music, the diversity and innovation was at its peak, to be "good" isn't a slight, just there was so much great stuff across the spectrum. I'd love to see A&A hit some of the great storytellers (I think Long Cool Woman is one of those story-songs that really hits the imagination and is what makes it so special) like Jim Croce, Gerry Rafferty, Gordon Lightfoot, Jackson Browne, Cat Stevens, Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor, Bread, Harry Chapin, Loggins (Dave and Kenny). I love me a good banger, though as I get older the darker, more brooding music really strikes a chord :). Stay safe, listen to good (and great) music :)
Hollies kind of had two good runs,their early stuff was very much a mod 60's sound and when they came out with this LP and song it was definitely 70's vibe.This song Radar Love, Drivers Seat,and about 50 more were great driving songs and still are.
With this cut, there's only one out of the first 3 community polls (12 total) that hasn't been hit despite promises to do so. Kinda fitting that it has two of your favorite things - one of the most iconic guitar riffs and wall to wall cowbell. Nazareth Hair of the Dog deserves to be heard.
@Dale DeLarm Oh damn I’m sorry man, I must have forgot. Either way my point stands that it’s not fair/cool to come at it with that attitude, we’re both interested in hearing the track.
@@andyandalex tell this dude you’re gonna play “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” for him and call it a day. People need to understand these guys have a life outside this channel and devote a hell of a lot of time on it. They can’t do every single request from everyone. Chill and enjoy FFS. Great job boys. Carry on....🙄
I’m cracking 70 and I remember from about the age of 15 hearing songs like Bus Stop and Cary Ann. They were an iconic band of the day, and went to see them in concert about 5 years ago and they were still rocking the hall.
Cat Stevens “Father and Son” followed by many classics such as “Peace Train” or “Morning Has Broken” or “Oh Very Young” or “Moonshadow’ or “Wild World” and more I can’t remember.
Check out the extended version. It kills! Also, if you feel like you've heard it before, it's because everyone who's come after were influenced by it. This is early 70s and just about everyone loved, and still loves, this song!
Nice reaction guys, trying to think of some early 70s rockers that are under the radar. How about Jump Into The Fire by Nilsson? The bass line is just wow!
Yes, they need to hit Jackson Browne. He was a solo act, but he had the best of the best for backing musicians. Wrote catchy, snappy songs with deep, thought-provoking lyrics. 'Doctor My Eyes' would make a great start.
So glad you got to one of the all time great songs. But your youthful perspective is showing and tripping you up here. The Hollies were leading with this sound at that time. Take into account the time it was done. Of course you hear stuff similar in decades later! It doesn’t make this band less, it made them at the FOREFRONT! No way it is just a B+. Respectfully, NO. That’s like saying the Beatles were good, but just a B+ because you have heard that sound many times since (who influenced whom...Hmmm?)You also can’t compare it to the very developed sounds and better equipment that bands have in recent decades. These bands were creating completely new music. Innovators. Not copycats. And their early music was far different than this. Sweet little radio tunes teen girls would love (bubblegum).Here, they really stepped into their own groove on this one. I love so much of their later mature work. (Although Bus Stop in 1966 is a favourite). You will see those songs requested in the comments. Very talented and diverse sound. Thanks for reacting to this song! Bang A Gong by T- Rex would be awesome sometime
Their greatest hits album is choked full of hits. Maybe not all rockers but every one of them tell a story and make you sit back and think and without a "formula" or "set sound" each song is unique in style and sound. Bus Stop, He Ain't Heavy, King Midas in Reverse, Carousel, et al, all great songs.
Always loved this song! I've heard it said that The Hollies did this as a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, but I don't know if that's really the case. However, if you listen to "Green River" by CCR you will certainly hear how similar they sound. I would also recommend "Bus Stop," "The Air That I Breathe", "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," and "Carrie Anne." All great songs that will give you an idea how their sound changed through the years. I also recommend two of their lesser known hits that I dearly love: "King Midas In Reverse" and "Long Dark Road."
this song was not supposed to be a Hollies song. It was recorded to be on Allan Clarke's solo album, and if you notice, it has no harmonies, just Clarke who also played the guitar. Unfortunately for him, he was still under contract and the song was put on the Hollies album
So after the Hollies it makes sense to do something from CSNY, which had a ton of hits and some great classic rock iconic tunes. Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Wooden Ships, Wasted on the Way, Treat Your Children Well, Woodstock, so many great tunes.
This song was a little atypical for the Hollies. The guitar riff, for instance, was written and played by the lead singer, Allan Clarke, who rarely played guitar on their songs. Also, it was one of their first songs NOT to have the lush three part vocal harmonies, that was their trademark. This change was due to Graham Nash, who was a natural at singing the high harmony lines, having left. One of the main reasons that Nash did leave the band, was record label pressure to keep churning out pop hits, like their earlier breakthrough Bus Stop, where as Nash wanted to be more innovative, as he showed on songs like Dear Eloise, or King Midas in Reverse. Some of their early covers like Just One Look are very good. Other favorites in the pop vein, Look Through Any Window Stop, Stop, Stop, Carrie-Anne (a love song where they changed Marianne (Faithful) to a different name), and On a Carousel. One funny story, in an instance that paralleled The Turtles experience with the song Eleanor, the Hollies wrote a cliched trite song, out of spite, in response to the Record Label demand for a disposable pop "hit". Much to their horror, the song, Jennifer Eccles, which they performed in the most cynically saccharine style, became a hit. Other great songs from the period after Nash's departure include He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, and Air that I Breathe.
This song seems to live on forever. I heard the opening riff on a TV commercial not long ago. Check out "The Air that I Breathe". It will make you wonder if it's the same band.
Always gave the volume a twist up when this came on the radio; come to think of it all their hits were turn-it-ups;) A good alternative in the same groove is Time Of the Season by the Zombies. Radio bliss.
This slinky, sexy tune has been on my playlist for decades! Yup, I'm a 70's girl. Play it loud in my car. Got my son hooked on it as well. He plays it on his guitar now.
I'm very fond of The Hollies. "The Air That I Breathe" is on more than one of my playlists. I really like "Bus Stop" as well. I've been trying for a while (years) to write a poem based on the 'umbrella' from "Bus Stop."
So glad y’all enjoyed that song. It’s catchy, for sure, and one that you might find yourself going back to sooner than expected. The Hollies were phenomenal, and more innovative than one might realize. In their song “Stop Stop Stop” you’ll hear a banjo made to sound like a sitar. It’s crazy. But the song I think you should hear next is “The Air That I Breathe.” Since you asked us to share, here’s the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EozcNss6A8U.html 🎧
Hey guys thanks for keeping this great music alive how about some Ten Years After with the great Alvin Lee --- I'd LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD or I'M GOING HOME blistering guitar.
Take some time to do Don McLean’s “American Pie.” A classic that chronicles the early days of Rock and Roll. You will love the references to all of the early greats. Check out the song’s meaning at flashback.com.
@J Wil It happens... Young people can easily go through life without hearing a lot of The Beatles' music. They might have just heard the chorus. I'd love a reaction to the whole song.
@J Wil Thanks for the reply. When the song came out, Don McLean played a gig at my father’s High School In NJ. (no kidding) At 11 years old, I was blown away. All of these great reactions serve to look back and re-energize the classics. This is, and I agree with you, one of the greatest rock songs lyrically, ever. That’s enough for me to let the boys give it a swing. It’s a history lesson. Best Regards!
The Stooges - "Down on the Street" or "Search and Destroy" Iggy Pop is lead singer who you may have heard of, they are considered influential but they generally don't get the same shine as many of their contemporaries.
Hey guys, when this song came out it was played over and over on AM radio, and I never got tired of listening to that opening guitar riff! Always fun to listen to... still is!
