Pop Rock Music

Hollies members Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks wrote “Carrie Anne” and it became an international hit in 1967. The song rose #9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #3 in the U.K., #4 in The Netherlands, #7 in Australia and Norway, and #8 in Germany. Nash has said that he wrote the song for British singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull. However, he was too shy to use her real name. (Canadian actress Carrie-Anne Moss says that her mother named her after the girl in this song.)

The Hollies formed in 1962 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. There are different stories about how they chose their name. It was either as a tribute to Buddy Holly or with thoughts of holly at Christmas. They originally were Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks, and Erick Haydock.  Nash left in 1968 to become part of the supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash. (The term supergroup refers to  the members coming from successful bands — e.g., The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and The Hollies, respectively,  in the case of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. Neil Young joined them later in 1969, and he had been part of  Buffalo Springfield.) The Hollies were the second most successful group in Britain throughout the 1960s. As part of the British Invasion of the U.S., they took a while to become successful in America. “Bus Stop” was their breakthrough song. They had many hits, including “Just One Look,” “Stop Stop Stop,” “Bus Stop,” and “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” just to name a few.

Here are the lyrics:

“Hey, Carrie Anne
Hey, Carrie Anne
When we were at school, our games were simple
I played a janitor, you played a monitor
Then you played with older boys and prefects
What’s the attraction in what they’re doing

Hey, Carrie Anne, what’s your game now
Can anybody play
Hey, Carrie Anne, what’s your game now
Can anybody play

You were always something special to me
quite independent, never caring
You lost your charm as you were aging
Where is your magic disappearing

Hey, Carrie Anne, what’s your game now
Can anybody play
Hey, Carrie Anne, what’s your game now
Can anybody play

You’re so, so like a woman to me
(So like a woman to me)
So, so like a woman to me
(Like a woman to me)

Hey, Carrie Anne, what’s your game now
Can anybody play
Hey, Carrie Anne, what’s your game now
Can anybody play

People live and learn but you’re still learning
You use my mind and I’ll be your teacher
When the lesson’s over, you’ll be with me
Then I’ll hear the other people saying

Hey, Carrie Anne, what’s your game now
Can anybody play
Hey, Carrie Anne, what’s your game now
Can anybody play

Carrie Anne, Carrie Anne, Carrie Anne”

For other songs by The Hollies: “Bus Stop” and “Stop! Stop! Stop!”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Carrie Anne” by The Hollies.