Classic Pop Icons

The Hollies classic hit “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” is this week’s Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was released in September 1969 in the UK and December 1969 in the US, backed with “Cos You Like to Love Me.” The Hollies also featured the song as the title track on the US album “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.” The album was released in the UK as “Hollies Sings Hollies”, with a couple of changes to the tracklist.

Variations on the phrase “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” had occurred in print since the 19th century. It became the motto of Father Edward Flanagan’s Boys Town organisation in the 1930s/40s and it seems likely that this is where the songwriters got the phrase from, particularly as it appeared in the movie about Boys Town starring Spencer Tracy.

The Hollies’ guitarist Tony Hicks came across the song when listening to demos at a music publishers in London. At first the band were uncertain about the song, as the demo was very slow and not in the Hollies’ style. After speeding it up and making some changes to the arrangement, it soon became clear that this was hit material. Kelly Gordon had made the first recording of the song, which appeared on his album “Defunked”, so it’s possible that it was this version that Hicks heard.

The inclusion of Allan Clarke’s simple but hugely effective harmonica intro was a wise move. The lush orchestration also combines brilliantly with Clarke’s strong lead vocal and the Hollies’ trademark tight vocal harmonies. This is a great recording.

The Hollies – “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”

Authorship

Bob Russell wrote the lyrics and Bobby Scott wrote the music for “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.” This was their only songwriting collaboration.

Recording date/location

“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was recorded on June 25, 1969 at Abbey Road Studios, London.

Musicians

The following line-up of The Hollies played on “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”:

• Alan Clarke – lead vocals/harmonica
• Tony Hicks – guitar
• Terry Sylvester – guitar
• Bernie Calvert – bass guitar
• Bobby Elliott – drums.

A young Elton John played piano on the song.

Graham Nash left the Hollies in December 1968, so did not appear on “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

Chart performance

“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” hit number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK singles chart.

In 1988, after 15 years absence from the UK top 10, a reissue of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” gave the Hollies their second UK number one. Their first was “I’m Alive” in 1965. The reissue arose due to the use of the song in a television commercial for Miller Lite beer.

Covers

Neil Diamond – “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”

Neil Diamond featured “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” on his 1970 album “Tap Root Manuscript” and on single the same year. Neil Diamond had recorded the song before the Hollies, but the Hollies released their cut before him. If you haven’t heard Diamond’s version before, rest assured that it is exactly what you would expect Diamond to do with the song. That’s no bad thing though. His unique phrasing and storytelling ability are to the fore and it’s a good performance.

Glen Campbell – “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”

The arrangement on Glen Campbell’s 1971 cover is a little more laidback and middle of the road than the Hollies’ version, but it’s a strong, wide ranging and expressive vocal from Campbell.

Bill Medley – “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”

Bill Medley’s cover of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was featured on the Rambo III Soundtrack in 1988 and was on the UK singles chart at the same time as the Hollies’ reissue. The production screams out “1980s” from the outset.

There will be a new Song of the Week on January 31.

The Hollies’ “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” is included on a number of compilation albums, including last year’s 2-CD collection “Midas Touch: The Very Best Of The Hollies.”

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