1979. Driving my father home from the hospital, knowing he was going to die any minute and this came over the radio. Tears were pouring down my face, but by the end of the song I felt a weird sense of peace. He died a couple of days later but I always associate this song with bittersweet sadness and love ever since. Thank you Hollie’s.
Alan Clarke's voice is perfection. The title is based on the motto from Father Flanagan's Boystown. 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.When Father Flanagan asked one of the boys if it was difficult...the boys response was the title. If you haven't listened to other Hollies songs you should check out Bus Stop, The Air That I Breathe, Carrie Ann.
One reaction site did a poll of their Patreon's and asked them for a recommendation on which song they would pick that projected a positive message that they would want their kids to emulate . Not surprisingly, this was the pick.
There are published accounts of variations on the story, including the "he ain't heavy, he's my brother" line from earlier. One earlier account attributes it to a young Scottish girl carrying her toddler brother; that version was published in the 1987-0s or 80s, IIRC. It's a great slogan for Boys' Town, but the line is older than Father Flanagan.
I'm an Old Man, and this song has touched me since I first listened to it. The meaning has never changed. We are all connected and have a responsibility to help one another. The message of "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" is especially relevant in today's world, where there is so much division and conflict. The song was inspired by a painting in a boy's orphanage (Scotland or England) of one boy carrying another on his back, titled He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. It's not an impossible dream.
My brother Michael was struck by a car and passed away at the age of 13. I was only 7.I miss him every day.I just sang this song at the top of my lungs to him.If I could have him back,I would carry him,and he would not be heavy...💞
While the meaning of this song is so special, it's Allen Clark's amazing lead vocals, (he's a VERY underrated singer), and those wonderful, soaring Hollies' harmonies that turn this song into an almost gospel-like anthem. I've heard this song many, many times since it was released, and it hit just as hard today as when I first heard it. One for the ages, indeed.
This is my favorite Hollies song!!!! It IS big! I was in the 8th grade when it came out. Every day at lunch, 3 of us raced to my classmate's house, and we listened to this on her 45 record. I always think of those girls when I hear it now. It is positively one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Thanks so much for reacting to it!! ✌️🎶
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".
The good thing about great songs is, after the first listen they just keep getting better. This has to be an all-time rock anthem, in anyone's catalogue.
One of the best Vietnam era songs...no one was left behind hopefully....i did 2 tours and this song always brings me to my knees and a tear to my eye...great reaction..
Hearing this song today made me remember something I haven’t thought about for a long time. When I was young, I had a birthday book. I got friends to sign it so I could keep track of their birthdays. For each date, there was a short quote from A. A. Milne. When about 22, I met a woman - we didn’t fall in love, but she was a true friend, and she changed my life. On her page, the quote was: “Brains first, then hard work.” Without taking but a second to think, she signed her name but also wrote: “Dreams first, then heart work”. ❤. Thanks for this memory.
Shawn, I've been checking your reaction videos for 4 or 5 months now. Your content is pretty extensive and It seems like I may never get through it all. The thing I want to say though, is this. I'm just about to turn 70 and rock music has always been a major part of my life since I was 9 and fell asleep listening to the Beatles, Stones and Kinks with a transistor radio hidden under my blankets. So when I listen to your reactions, putting the actual songs aside, I feel like I'm in a discussion with my buddies back in the early 70's as we sit up in my apartment playing records and doing what us old guys did back in the 70's. You would have fit right in, Man.
I'm in my late 70s too, and I've told Shawn basically the same thing. He's like talking music with an old friend and bringing back memories. He's a great young man.
Oh Lord we need this song more than ever right now in this world!! Some of you, please stop loving to hate and hating to love, just LOVE ONE ANOTHER! it's so much more less stressful and much more positive! Notice how this black and white video turns to color at the very end? Interesting...
Others have already mentioned this, but this song became particularly meaningful to and loved by America's Vietnam vets -- it came out when we were still involved in the Vietnam War, and became an anthem for many of the U.S. troops, including many that were completely against our involvement in that war. It didn't come from and is not "about" the Vietnam War or our involvement therein, it was somewhat adopted by the veterans within the Anti-War Movement in the late 1960's and early 1970's.
This is one of the great songs of the 60s by ANY group. Since you love it so much, I suggest you watch a different live version where you see the lead singer play the harmonica in 2 sections of the song.
A young session musician named Reg Dwight played piano and sand backup on this record. He would soon change his name to Elton John and had some success.
The guy with the acoustic guitar is Graham Nash, who went on to join Steven Stills and Dave Crosby to form the incredible trio Crosby, Stills, and Nash. This is my favorite version of this song by far.
Big hit for them towards the latter part of the band in the early 1969They had some really good songs in the mid to late 1960’s with Graham Nash . Those songs are Bus Stop and Carrie Ann!The meaning of this has gotten lost over time as you do seem to understand it after listening and feeling the lyrics!
Though never written as such, a lot of people associate the song with the growing civil right movement. The idea of everyone helping others out when they were unable to cope by themselves struck a huge chord at that time, with several songs on the theme ("Bridge over Troubled Water" and "Let it Be" are other similarly themed classics from the same era). That haunting sound is a harmonica, played straight rather than with the usual blues sound. "The Air That I Breathe" should be your next Hollies song.
One story says that a young girl holding a large baby boy were walking out of a war torn city and another refuge saw her and thinking the young girl was burdened by what she was carrying asked, is he heavy, and the girl with a surprised look replied, He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother.
I love the powerful message of this song. We should never be a burden to one another and most importantly always look out for the person regardless. There should be zero boundaries when helping the other person. What a great song. I am sure this song is on many peoples favorite list. This is CLASSIC music.
This song was played at my oldest brother's funeral. He passed 4 years ago today (Mar 5th) of a tooth infection that traveled to his brain. I still can't believe he's gone. He was 9 yrs older than I and introduced me to The Beatles when I was a toddler still in diapers in 1965.
One of my favorite songs of all time! Glad you loved the music and the beautiful vibe whose message is timeless and very moving, heartfelt and one we should all try to follow. The music just fits the lyrics perfectly and along with their 3 part harmonies!
I'm surprised that your research didn't reveal the origin of the title. Two boys turned up at an orphanage, one was carrying the other on his back. When asked was he struggling the boy replied - He ain't heavy, he's my brother. There is a statue at the Boystown orphanage commemorating the incident now. Bobby Scott and Bobby Russel heard about it and wrote the song. Think it was the only one they collaborated on, but I could be wrong on that. It's a cracking song, we had the single. As well as a commercial, it was used as the theme of a charity fund raiser on TV. Think that's what propelled it to number one in the 80s. Mournful instrument is a harmonica. John Lennon played one in the Beatles, Bob Dylan blew one on his early hits. They turn up in 60s pop songs quite regularly. The great exponent of the instrument was Larry Addler. He was an absolute master, and was employed by film companies to produce the sound track for films like A taste of Honey, and Genevieve. Got to mention Alan Clarke's distinctive vocals. They were made for songs like this.
Love this. I never had any brothers. 58 year old woman and if it’s ok I’ll consider you my little brother for the day. 😃😉 Thanks for your kindness in your videos that you share with everyone in your greeting.
One of my favorite songs from my early teens. Great song, and the lyrics are incomparable, even after over 50 years. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, fantastic choice!
In 1993, I was a student in the Fire Academy, female Eskimo, they played this song at our class graduation, from day one to our last field day, a live burn ...they put me in nozzle, we went in on hands and knees, this 3 story house was a blaze! I then had to rescue my partner from a third story window, 6'3' ,265 pounds...they showed me taking off my helmet, my mask, smiling ear to ear and all of my classmates picking me up and hugging me. All of my brothers!
Structure, lyrics, chord progressions, this song is about as perfect as a song can get! And the message, THE MESSAGE, once a message to aspire to is now considered by many as a message for losers. How far we have regressed as a society. Very sad.
Alan Clarke about 2 yrs ago recorded this song again with just a piano and him singing solo. It is just as powerfull as the original. A must see on you tube.
I just read through all the comments, and it seems like people may have liked this little ditty. I jest... because I, like you and most of the commenters, understand both the timeless and timely message these British gentlemen beautifully conveyed to and for the ages. PinkFloyd's "On the Turning Away" is a similarly important song, with a beautiful message, travelling in a beautiful vehicle. I have no doubt that your channel will be one of the best repositories for such beloved epics. Peace, brother. And thanks again.
This was played at the end of my high school graduation ceremony, like so many other schools. We were all bawling our eyes out, even the tough guys and stoners.
❤ The instrument you lived byt didnt recognise was the harmonica (& we as little English kids growing up, would call 🎵"mouth-organs"🎵) ❤🏴🙂🖖 I'm glad you also mentioned the version by Neil Diamond - not sure if he released it as a 'single' but it was on his album called "Stones" - which also included a cover of the Joni Mitchell hit song, "Both Sides Now"🎵❤🏴🎵🇬🇧🖖
There are two really cool things about what this song refers to , 1. is its about a special school for kids and the proceeds went there 2 A guy in the US carried his brother on his back on a coast to coast walk , the brother had no arms or legs again a charity . Dont know for certain which one it is
In 2012 a charity single version of this song was released in aid of a football tragedy which mainly affected Liverpool and it's fans & families. It featured Paul McCartney and many other stars of the time. They called themselves 'The Justice Collective' and reached Number 1 for Christmas of that year. The original btw is also very good though Kelly Gordon is more noted as a producer than a singer he certainly reaches the highs with amazing power!
Lyrics … The road is long With many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where, who knows where But I'm strong Strong enough to carry him He ain't heavy, he's my brother … So on we go His welfare is of my concern No burden is he to bear We'll get there … For I know He would not encumber me He ain't heavy, he's my brother … If I'm laden at all I'm laden with sadness That everyone's heart Isn't filled with the gladness Of love for one another … It's a long, long road From which there is no return While we're on the way to there Why not share? … And the load Doesn't weigh me down at all He ain't heavy, he's my brother … He's my brother He ain't heavy, he's my brother He ain't heavy, he's my brother
... to put this song and it's lyrics in perspective, I once saw this song with a video of Soldiers in Vietnam Carrying Wounded soldiers over their Shoulders to safety, dodging bullets, explosions going off all around them and suddenly... It All Made Sense. This is what we Hippies were all about! Peace. An awesome song to follow this is called "Get Together" by "The Young bloods." Promise...
@@rubbersole79I don’t think that is what he saying. You are right we all need to follow this path,but what I think he is saying is that quite a few of today’s Christians are falling well short of this message.
The Hollies... tremenda banda!! Ésta canción me hace llorar... gracias a las personas que pueden cooperar con dinero...yo no puedo 😞. Me fascina tu canal!! Gracias 🙏
