I don't think it's intended to be about an actual brother but about the brotherhood of man, men and women, and how anyone is worthy of love and support in times of stress.
He ain't heavy, he's my brother was a slogan for Boy's Town, an orphanage for boys in i believe Nebraska. They had a poster of a big kid with his little brother on his back at the door. This goes back to the 1930s. Nice to meet your wife. You do enjoyable work!
Supposedly, a visitor to Boy's Town noticed a boy carrying a smaller boy on his back and asked him if he was too heavy for him to carry. The boy responded, 'he ain't heavy, mister, he's my brother!'
This song always chokes me up but I can go into a full cry hearing this song sung by the Osmond Brothers. They used this as their closing song during their shows and now that they’re older it has deeper meaning since some of them had health struggles. Thanks for adding your beautiful wife to react to such a memorable song.
So cool you guys are doing a reaction together - loved the one you did previously for this. Such an important song from the turn of the decade into 1970. And still as beautiful and haunting today as it was then. They don't make harmonies like this anymore sadly. Also, you could take it literally to be about someone's actual brother, but I think it was mostly perceived in a more general sense, especially since the Vietnam War was raging at the time, and this is considered to be one of the anthems of that era.
Hello, the both of you. This is a heavy song indeed. I could not hope to guess how many times I have heard it play on the radio or television. So much feeling. Peace out.
Indeed this song is about how we as humans should be concerned about the welfare of mankind, and how we should all not only share each others burdens, but understand as Beethoven said, "All men are brothers". With this then there is no room or need for hatred, division, poverty, or loss but rather a love and respect for one another. Beliefs that are needed in this world now more than ever.
The song refers to the surviving combatants of the Vietnam War who, upon returning home, manifested nervous disorders and psychological imbalances such that being too often judged as crazy ("He Ain't Heavy") by the family, those around them and the community, they experienced inhumane exclusion ("He's My Brother"). On this issue, it is the most beautiful and moving song to have been composed and recorded. Thanks. [NB: Two musical instruments were favored by the fighters sent to Vietnam: the guitar and the harmonica.]
Hi Shana glad your back. This song tugs at my 9th grade school dance self,, waiting at the bleachers for that boy to ask me to dance. The lyrics " The road is long, with a many winding turns ". Turns out life is just like that. The message back then at the time during the Vietnam war it touched everyone's heart " He ain't heavy, he's my brother. The two of you are such a lovely couple, I wish I had neighbors like you guys.
Nice to meet you Shana, you guys look great together. This is one of my favorite anthems of all time. I saw this live in concert at the ripe old age of14, and I was instantly changed. I knew I wanted to be involved and awake and do my part to make a difference. Whenever I hear it again, the clarion call still touches me.
Graham Nash and Allan Clarke, the two main singers, were heavily influenced by, and adored, the Everly Brothers -- having once met them on the outside of a venue in England before the Hollies were famous, and having a wonderful and inspiring conversation with them (per an anecdote in Nash's autobiography).
“He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” is a line from the 1930’s movie “Boys Town”. In the movie, Mickey Rooney carries his crippled little brother around. When he is asked whether his load is heavy he responds with the line.
Allan Clarke, the lead singer in the Hollies also did the Harmonica track on the song, and Bobby Elliot, the drummer had few equals...he was truly a technician of his craft. I have a set of his used 'sticks' from one of their concerts. This group was so unique and were as good live as in the studio. They were so underrated.
There is an old movie called Boys Town, starring Bing Crosby, I think back in the 40s.... And I think there was a line in the movie where a boy said "he ain't heavy father he's my brother" . So I always thought that this song was a nod to that movie. Let me know if I'm wrong 😉
A classic! If you want to hear a true love song message, the Air That I Breath, 1974 is spectacular. The Hollies nailed that one too. Nice to see you share the spotlight with your wife.
The drummer, Bobby Elliot, was regarded as one of the very best. He was just pretending here. Listen to Bus Stop, my favorite Hollies tune. He drives it. Van Gogh had mental health issues to put it mildly. Some sort of severe bipolar disorder with psychosis. It was, paradoxically, the source of his genius. He sold one painting during his lifetime, to his brother Theo for the equivalent of 75 dollars. Today his paintings sell at auction for 40-50 million. His last painting was Wheatfield With Crows. It was where he took his own life. A profoundly sad story
Bright Angel Shanna, it was lovely to see you again. You are more than welcome to visit again whenever you can. Thank you so much for coming. Shawn has spoken about you often when his heart is touched by a song - so we've seen him fall in love with you again a 100 times (laugh). Thank you for taking the time, we know it hard for a shy and demur Angel like yourself to come on RU-vid. Your views on the songs and heartfelt commentary is greatly appreciated. Beautiful song. Shawn, you're a lucky man.
I was 18 at the time this came out, and it became a theme for many peace marches and sit ins during my 1st year in college. It is as powerful today as it was all those years ago, and a lesson for how we should live. Wonderful pick. Welcome back Shana. Blessings.
It was a song of its time, but it's also the perfect song for now. A little more of considering each other to be all brothers and sisters, ready to carry each other and let others carry us as needed.
This song always takes me back to when I was 11 years old. My brother is 3 years older than me, and he and I were wrestling on the kitchen floor one evening. (Horsing around, as kids do) Now, I'm female and he's a male but I was athletic and he wasn't. He was just 3 years older than me. At one point he was on top of me on the floor and he was trying to pin me. My mother walked into the kitchen. She yelled, "Get off of her!! You'll hurt her!" I said, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother." Well, my brother got laughing and in a split second, I did a complete reversal on him and pinned him. It was fun 😉 and I've never let him forget it. Thanks for the trip back in time... Take care and be well. Peace.
Funny. Reminds me of my brother( also 3 years older)and I age 11 would also always wresting around and goof off as kids. When the song Get Together would come on radio with the line “come on people now smile on your brother….” either one would jump on top of the other and smile like an idiot. Yep pretty stupid and dorky but we made up our own fun back then and those types of silly things we did those 55 years ago we still bring up and laugh about today.
@bradsense7431 Yeah...you're right about the simple and silly things we did back then. I just turned 68 and my brother turned 71 yesterday. Next time I hear your song, I know I'll smile. 😁 Thanks for sharing your memory. Take care...Peace.
I have heard these songs all my life but what is fun is hearing them through your ears and as you point out the bass line I get to hear it better and appreciate things I had not noticed before. Great job!!! Nice reaction:)
It was back in the mid to late 60's when I first heard this song, and though I've heard it sung by others and used in movies, I forgot until I heard this that it really was the Hollies song.
I love your reactions…your face just beams with every tune…you’re rocking and swaying and it’s apparent what songs you are into…your wife, not so much. She’s kind of expressionless…she just has a flat expression throughout the whole song…maybe she’ll get more into it as time goes on.
"While we're on the way to there... Why not share?" Perfect first song to share with Shanna. I'd love to see her share a favorite song with you, as she will have had a long time to think about it, and know certain facts and so on. I'd also suggest watching the competition, or rather your peers, since the first days of television. George and Gracie Burns. I Love Lucy. Nick-n-Lex. Shows like yours are in the vanguard of videotainment, for lack of better word. Experiment. Get sponsors. Relax into it. Cheers!
Neil Diamond also covers this song on his Tap Root Manuscript album, side one, right after "Done Too Soon". Side one opens with the magical musical ride "Cracklin' Rosie". Side two is The African Trilogy (A Folk Ballet). It's like the album gets you ready for next song experiences. Albums were what we experienced long before it was easy to see TV and movies that we wanted to see at home. So they were crafted to be like movies or plays to enjoy at home. What the Internet introduced was being able to play most any song or piece of music at any time.
It 's not really specific to a brother with difficulties, it's more about helping anyone who needs it without considering it a burden. just being a good person really. The band come from an area (The North of England) which has a rich tradition of trade unionism and socialism. 'His welfare is my concern' is the bedrock of a good community, in my opinion.
Love this group. The Hollies are a British pop rock group formed in 1962 & known for their great harmonies. They had so many hit songs such as "Bus Stop", "Stop Stop Stop", "The Air That I Breathe", "On A Carousel", "Carrie Anne", "Here I Go Again", "Look Through Any Window", "King Midas In Reverse", "Jennifer Eccles", "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" etc. "Graham Nash" was originally in this group & left in 1968 to form "Crosby, Stills & Nash".
Hi Shana! Welcome to the channel! This is my favorite Hollies song. When this song came out, we talked about our brothers and sisters, meaning we are a society of brothers and sisters, very strong feeling among the hippies. 🌻
With tje backdrop of the Vietnam War raging on, when the song was released we sat in stunned silence as they delivered the message that impacted us to our core....no one spoke afterwards, as we understood exactlu what the meaning was...
The phrase originated from the book The Parables of Jesus by James Well, published in 1884. Within the book there is a tale of a little girl carrying her baby brother. When someone asked her if she was getting weary and tired from carrying her brother, she replied : “No, he's not heavy; he's my brother.” It is also the motto of Boy’s Town.
It's ironic that at the time of this song ~ the counterculture was at it's peak ~ we were considered bizarre because we advocated for a brotherhood & sisterhood of all humanity ~ 'United We Stand ~ Divided We Fall' 'Suppose they threw a War & Nobody Came' was one of our anthems
Awesome once again! Shanna, it’s SO nice to have you on here! 😀 I’m definitely looking forward to more reactions seeing you both together! Another great Holly’s song that I love is “Carrie Anne.” It has great harmony & cool drumming! Thank you both! 😀
💜I am glad that you chose this group to react to as your second video together! 💜 Shanna would probably love " the air that I breathe" It is worth another re-listen! You are doing great as a team! It's great to see!
I had two brothers that died 3 weeks apart one of them was a coroner in Los Angeles for the LA County Coroner's department and we believe he was poisoned and murdered and my other brother died of cancer 3 weeks prior my oldest brother Michael was going to fly back to Maine and sing with us as a family honor of Gary dying of cancer little did we know that Michael would be gone 3 weeks later but we played this song along with a video at their funeral they had spent quite a bit of time together over the 2 year period of Gary suffering with cancer so we had a lot of pictures and stuff but I must tell you my brother Mike was in a band in the 60s and he loved the Hollies and this song right now will make me cry it always does so I don't know why I'm listening to it and watching you lol but I love The Hollies if you get a chance delve into a bunch more of their stuff look through any window was a song that my brother's band the corvelles used to play and On a Carousel was another song they used to play and they also used to play Carrie Ann so I love the reaction from your wife she was awesome she adds a lot to your show maybe have her on more great job always enjoy watching you keep spreading the music around❤
Shawn, check out the Hollies' "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) or The Air That I Breath, two GREAT songs by the Hollies. Good to see your wife back!
Hi again, Shanna. 😁My brother is 13 months younger than me. We've been close our whole lives. He's my best friend. This song chokes me up when I hear it. It was rumored the lyrics had to do with the Vietnam soldiers, but it's actually from an anecdotal story from 1918. It's a little Scottish girl carrying a young boy almost her size. When asked how does she carry this boy, her reply was, "'He's na heavy. He's mi brither " Great song!! ❤❤
Hey Shawn!!! In the 70s, the "Brothers" Group called the OSMONDS, did an Appropriate Version of this Classic, and their Unique Harmonies, made it their "Theme Song"!!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8f8vfl2uYFo.html
A suggestion...if you don't know them, please both listen to the band Renaissance from their peak years of 1973 to 1978. I highly recommend their studio version of "Can you Understand?" from 1974. You'll love it.
Yes! I remember decades ago there was a radio station that played whole albums at midnight. They played their live double album. I was stunned & was determined to stay awake to find out who it was but I fell asleep & didn’t find out who they were until a couple years later. When I found out I immediately went to the store & bought the album. Anne has in incredible 5 octave range. Beautiful music!
Random suggest: .."I thought of you again" by Poppy family......"Did she mention my name" by Gordon Lightfoot...."Burning bridges" by Mike Curb congregation...."Life is a rock" by Reunion
Thid is one of the stories behind He Ain't Heavy:- He ain’t heavy, Father… he’s m’ brother.” Those iconic words have symbolized the spirit of Boys Town for decades. But many people don’t know how it originated. Back in 1918, a boy named Howard Loomis was abandoned by his mother at Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, which had opened just a year earlier. Howard had polio and wore heavy leg braces. Walking was difficult for him, especially when he had to go up or down steps. Soon, several of the Home’s older boys were carrying Howard up and down the stairs. One day, Father Flanagan asked Reuben Granger, one of those older boys, if carrying Howard was hard. Reuben replied, “He ain’t heavy, Father… he’s m’ brother.”
I liked your reactions by yourself but it's good with your wife also as long as she wants to do it. She's pretty and has a nice personality and there are a couple of married couples that I'm subscribed to that do music reactions. The biggest one is Rob Squad reactions with Jay and Amber that I've been subscribed to for a few years and they have around 500k subscribers now.
You might also enjoy reactions by the husband/wife couple Merchant of Alba. They are adorable and very loving and their love of music is wonderful to see.
You're not getting it at all. He's my brother is not directly referring to a family member. Brother refers to a friend or anyone who needs help. It's a term used to show caring for someone else like you would family.
Oh I wish you would listen to The Osmonds doing this song!! In my opinion they do it better, closer harmonies and because they’re brothers it feels more real..
