“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”: The Story Behind The Hollies’ Timeless Ballad

“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” marked a significant moment in The Hollies’ illustrious career. Recorded at the renowned EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios), the song features Allan Clarke’s emotive lead vocals and a poignant piano accompaniment by a then-unknown Elton John .

The song achieved considerable chart success, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 . Its universal message of solidarity and empathy resonated deeply with listeners, leading to a resurgence in popularity when it was re-released in 1988, topping the UK charts once again .

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

Origins of the Title: The phrase “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” has its roots in a story from the late 19th century, later adopted as the motto for Boys Town, a community for at-risk youth founded in 1917 .

Songwriters’ Unique Collaboration: Despite battling terminal illness, lyricist Bob Russell collaborated with composer Bobby Scott to create this masterpiece. Remarkably, they met only three times during the songwriting process .

Elton John’s Contribution: Before achieving fame, Elton John played piano on the track, earning £12 for his session work .

Album Inclusion: In the US, the song was featured on the album “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” which reached No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart .

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