The Hollies' current setlist - YOU DECIDE!

[Gralto]

OK, following on from the 2019 Aussie tour thread and some of the song suggestions put forward, this is your chance to select The Hollies' next tour setlist. You can put it in order or just list a bunch of songs for The H to consider.
The only rules are:

**25 songs
**Must include 'The Holy Trinity' - Air, LCW, Heavy - somewhere within the list though not necessarily as the last 3 tracks!
**Mention if this is your specific running order or in no particular order


Once I've got decent number of entries, I'll collate them all and send them to the band for them to mull over! People power may win the day for a number or two to be added/subtracted from the existing set.

To give you a hand, I'm copying the Aussie setlist from other posts elsewhere. Be bold, be safe, whatever you wish. I'l have a think about my own and submit one in due course too. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your surprise selections!
cheers
Simon

Existing 2019 setlist from just completed Australia/NZ tour:

(In Order)
King Midas In Reverse (excerpt)
I Can’t Let Go
Sorry Suzanne
Jennifer Eccles
On A Carousel
Magic Woman Touch
We’re Through
Weakness
Priceless
I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top
Just One Look
Stay
Look Through Any Window
(end of first half)
Here I Go Again
Yes I Will
Bus Stop
I’m Alive
The Baby
Sandy
Too Young To Be Married
Carrie Anne
Stop Stop Stop
He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother
The Air That I Breathe
Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)

[Deleted]

Something they've never done is perform a whole album on stage. Much as I prefer 'Evolution', closely followed by 'For Certain Because' and 'Butterfly', these wouldn't really work under the current line-up, and would also (largely) be unfamiliar to audiences...

As it's the album's 50th anniversary this year, how about them performing 'Hollies Sing Dylan' in its entirety? Many of the songs are 'standards', so, even if attendees don't know the album, they would almost certainly be familiar with many of the songs. The band could get most of the hits out of the way during the first half, and then perform the album in full in the 2nd half, then close with the 3 biggies (or maybe 2 biggies, as LCW makes a great show opener).  

As for other song requests, how about 'Gasoline Alley Bred'?   

[gee]

A suggestion

first half;

1. I Can't Let Go
2. Just One Look
3. sixties hits medley;
Bus Stop / Sorry Suzanne / On A Carousel / I'm Alive
4. The Baby - (guitar/sitar)
5. Magic Woman Touch - (guitar / sitar)
6. One Touch - (guitar / sitar)
7. The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee - (guitar / sitar)
8. I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top
9. Weakness
10. King Midas in Reverse
11. Time Machine Jive
12. Look Through Any Window - new style version

second half;

13. Stop in The Name of Love
14. If You See Her
15. Sandy
16. Priceless
17. Gasoline Alley Bred
18. Have You Ever Loved Somebody
19. Stop Stop Stop - (featuring banjo)
20. Whats Wrong With The Way I Live ? - (featuring banjo)
21. Carrie Anne
22. Too Young To Be Married 
23. The Air That I Breathe
24. He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother
25. Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)

25 songs  - dropping some earlier sixties 'pop' hits and featuring a few more album tracks by all versions of the band which can be alternated with other album tracks over shows on each tour BUT overall keep to songs from 1966 onwards

[eric]

Gee has created a most interesting, balanced and fresh setlist, one that I would most certainly enjoy experiencing in concert. I think it is a great idea to add “One Touch”, “If You See Her”, “Time Machine Drive”, “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” and “What’s Wrong With The Way I Live” to the setlist, as well as reinstating “Curly Billy”, “Stop In The Name Of Love” and “Gasoline Alley Bred”. A full version of “King Midas” is also a positive adjustment to the current setlist. I love the matching of “Stop Stop Stop” and “What’s Wrong With The Way I Live” (with the banjo being featured) and the tweaking of “The Holy Trinity” which allows the band to finish their show with “He Ain’t Heavy” and then come back for a one song encore of “Long Cool Woman”. One minor point: does “Bus Stop” warrant a full version given it was a massive world-wide hit?

From an Aussie fan’s perspective, Gee’s setlist hits the target as the only Aussie hits excluded are those that can be omitted without causing too much angst from the fans, being “Lucille”, “Jennifer Eccles”(a welcome omission), “Dear Eloise”, “Do The Best You Can” and “Listen To Me” (performed in earlier concerts).

I also think that Peter has some very constructive suggestions with regards “Long Cool Woman” as a show opener and the inclusion of Dylan songs. “Hollies Sing Dylan” was a successful LP in Australia so the Dylan songs would be well received here. However, I would limit the Dylan tunes to the likes of “Blowing In The Wind” (a show closer back in the 70’s), “The Times They Are A Changin’” and “I Shall Be Released”. Having said that, most of all I would love to hear their LP version of “Wheels On Fire”, however, dare I say it, this song may be too challenging for the band these days.

[Deleted]

Apr 1, 2019 0:37:26 GMT eric said:

  I also think that Peter has some very constructive suggestions with regards “Long Cool Woman” as a show opener

They've done this before:

Also, I'd love to hear old rock 'n' roll songs like 'Lucille', or perhaps 'Too Much Monkey Business'? The Hollies were (and perhaps still are) capable of being a great rock 'n' roll band.

[gee]

The idea on my set list was to try to move the focus away from pure nostalgia and rather  more onto both the later hits and albums of each era of the band

They did Bus Stop / Sorry Suzanne / On A Carousel as part of a medley back in 1969 (odd as Suzanne was then a curreent big UK hit !) while 'I'm Alive' was their first UK chart topper

I agree 'Bus Stop' was a big international hit but think those four done straight after 'Just One Look' in full (the first mega UK hit making no.2 in 1964) and the powering intro number 'I Can't Let Go' (UK no.2 / no.1 depending on chart in 1966) covers the 'sixties pop hits' as a good intro to a show

they could of course easily alternate 'Just One Look' and 'Bus Stop' as the second song sung in full with the other then being featured as lead off song snippet on the sixties hits medley from show to show 

....then it's into the Mike Rickfors tribute plus a Peter Howarth era last studio album track then the first Allan Clarke tribute number 'Curly Billy' all using the guitar/sitar

King Midas in Reverse sung in full is the Graham Nash tribute song

LCW at the end is the second Clarkey tribute song

besides those it's more a firm focus on album tracks and later hits

Time Machine Jive - can alternate with say 48 Hour Parole, Slow Down, Rubber Lucy, Louise, or Crocodile Woman (she bites) as a rockin' album track from the seventies

'I Can't Tell The Bottom...', 'Sandy', 'Too Young To Be Married' etc plus He Ain't Heavy are the slower ballads - if they rest 'Sandy' they could do 'Wings', 'Writing On The Wall' or 'There's Always Goodbye' etc  for a change

I think at least four current era band songs should feature - 'Priceless' could alternate with say; 'So Damn Beautiful', 'Shine On Me', or 'Emotions' or Tony singing 'Dolphin Days'

'Stop Stop Stop' is a must of course...but 'Whats Wrong...' was a big overseas hit and also features the banjo

'Have You Ever Loved Somebody' was a chart hit for The Searchers plus Paul & Barry Ryan and also covered by The Everlys too - it has fine fuzz guitar and could alternate with say; 'Step Inside', 'You Need Love' or 'Tomorrow When it Comes'

a Rock 'n 'Roll spot is indeed always a good idea - for that besides doing any other classic covers they do have from their back catalogue Buddy Holly's numbers 'That'll Be The Day' as done in 1980 and the 1966 Byrds style 'Take Your Time' they could include 

there is plenty of scope to alternate some album tracks in the setlist during tours but in the main besides 'Just One Look', 'LTAW (new style version) and 'I'm Alive' in the sixties hits medley I would (for a while at least) tend to steer clear of anything before 1966 as the show needs to be a bit less pure nostalgia and become both more "post Beat Boom era mid sixties onwards hits and album tracks" I think to rather modernise the show and NOT just keep reeling off '20 Golden Greats' year after year which will eventually make the biggest Hollies fans get somewhat bored at the sheer predictability of the concert show

back in 1976 for 'Hollies Live Hits' the mark two Clarke-Sylvester era version of the band had dropped old songs like 'Yes I Will', 'We're Through', 'Here I Go Again' and the very poppy 'Jennifer Eccles' from the set list and included then songs from the last two Polydor albums (a couple of which had charted for them as singles overseas) - they wern't purely a nostalgia act

so today the current Hollies do need, I feel, to both freshen up their show with more album track songs the public probably know or will grow to like (which can be alternated accordingly) alongside the required big hits

The Hollies main 'PR' skills really departed with Graham Nash in 1968 (Carl Wayne briefly restored much of it) and they seldom seem to 'cotton on' to what would go down well in the public's eyes re 'PR' work onstage

if I were advising them I would tell them after opening with Peter's 'hello we're The Hollies...'' then after performing 'I Can't Let Go' have Tony say something like this;

'Good evening and welcome to The Hollies show...'I Can't Let Go' is a special song to us as the record was a very big hit for us in 1966 and featured a great bass intro and performance by our original bass player the late great Eric Haydock and we want to dedicate it to him - thanks Eric !'

then say;

'Eric also played with us on this one too...' straight into 'Just One Look'

they could also then have Tony say;

'we were on tour in Sweden recently and were really glad to meet up with our old friend Mikael Rickfors who came to see us backstage in Stockholm (or wherever it was), Mike was with us for two years in the early seventies and he sang on these next two numbers we would like to dedicate to him...' (then do 'The Baby' / 'Magic Woman Touch')

Peter can say 'Curly Billy' is in tribute to the great Allan Clarke

Tony can then say they are saluting their old friend Graham Nash with this classic song of his that we helped complete and we did together in 1967....'King Midas'

that would see today's Hollies acknowledge the three co-founders of the band plus Mike Rickfors and would go down really well with the fans - it also shows something of the history of this classic band re it's eras

in a perfect would they might mention how Terry Sylvester sang with them after Graham left...and do maybe 'Sandy' - BUT we know that will not happen...

sadly Tony and Bobby almost have a 'out of sight out of mind' attitude and even Clarke and Nash barely get acknowledged

I can't of course ever see them doing anything like that onstage...but it is a pity as it would WARM their public to them - especially older fans - I am sure

[stuball]

Some interesting ideas here. And Gee, great to see you back again! This place just isn't the same without your contributions.

I wouldn't think there'd be much debate that you have put a lot more thought and effort into this set-list, than that expended by Hicks/Elliott over the past couple of decades. A rather sad state of affairs.

[Deleted]

I really can't understand why anyone would prefer the modern arrangement of 'Look Through Any Window' over the classic single. Why change perfection?

[anthony]

Apr 1, 2019 14:11:56 GMT peterc said:

I really can't understand why anyone would prefer the modern arrangement of 'Look Through Any Window' over the classic single. Why change perfection?

Hi, not a great lover of new versions of old songs myself, but I must say towards the end of this song the guitar solos by Tony and Steve are amazing.

[anthony]

Mar 31, 2019 14:18:48 GMT gee said:

A suggestion

first half;

1. I Can't Let Go
2. Just One Look
3. sixties hits medley;
Bus Stop / Sorry Suzanne / On A Carousel / I'm Alive
4. The Baby - (guitar/sitar)
5. Magic Woman Touch - (guitar / sitar)
6. One Touch - (guitar / sitar)
7. The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee - (guitar / sitar)
8. I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top
9. Weakness
10. King Midas in Reverse
11. Time Machine Jive
12. Look Through Any Window - new style version

second half;

13. Stop in The Name of Love
14. If You See Her
15. Sandy
16. Priceless
17. Gasoline Alley Bred
18. Have You Ever Loved Somebody
19. Stop Stop Stop - (featuring banjo)
20. Whats Wrong With The Way I Live ? - (featuring banjo)
21. Carrie Anne
22. Too Young To Be Married 
23. The Air That I Breathe
24. He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother
25. Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)

25 songs  - dropping some earlier sixties 'pop' hits and featuring a few more album tracks by all versions of the band which can be alternated with other album tracks over shows on each tour BUT overall keep to songs from 1966 onwards

not a bad set list, I do like the idea of One Touch.

[anthony]

(In Order)
King Midas In Reverse (excerpt)
I Can’t Let Go
Sorry Suzanne
Jennifer Eccles
On A Carousel
Magic Woman Touch
We’re Through
Weakness
Its a shame its a game.
Long Dark Road
Just One Look
Stay
Look Through Any Window
(end of first half)
Curly Billy
Mad professor Blyth
Here I Go Again
Bus Stop
I’m Alive
The Baby / I'd cut the sitar intro. I'm over it.

Too Young To Be Married or dolphin days when not touring Oz
Carrie Anne
Stop Stop Stop
He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother
The Air That I Breathe
Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)
Let Love pass, full version.

I have cut and pasted the current set list and made a few changes, I'm Over the sitar intro solo on the Baby, miss the banjo into to Stop Stop Stop.

[thejanitor]

Here's mine, 25 songs I hope aren't too all over the place and in my specific running order:

Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress
Just One Look/I'm Alive (I think this makes a nice pairing)
Look Through Any Window
Bus Stop
Then The Heartaches Begin
Yes I Will
King Midas In Reverse
Jennifer Eccles
The Baby
Love Is The Thing (an acapella version of this would be lovely!)
So Damn Beautiful
Butterfly

SECOND HALF:
On A Carousel/Carrie Anne (another medley)
I Can't Let Go
Gasoline Alley Bred
Sorry Suzanne
Away, Away, Away
Here I Go Again (Howarth acoustic version)
Too Young To Be Married
Then, Now, Always (Dolphin Days)
Stop, Stop, Stop
The Air That I Breathe
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother


I have to admit, I'm not too familiar with the two more recent albums, but what I have heard seems ok. I'd quite like to also see them try Oriental Sadness and/or Rubber Lucy in concerts, but they don't seem like the kind of songs they would choose anyways.

[Deleted]

Reading another thread has reminded me of one more song, 'If I Needed Someone'!

[JamesT]

Set 1:

1. I Can’t Let Go
2. Just One Look/Stay/I’m Alive (medley)
3. King Midas In Reverse (full version)
4. I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top (Howarth acoustic intro then full band)
5. Magic Woman Touch (not sitar/guitar but banjo as per recent performances)
6. We’re Through
7. Bus Stop/Gasoline Alley Bred/Listen To Me/Don’t Let Me Down (‘Unplugged’ format featuring the three guitarists on stools at front of stage and Bobby on a cocktail kit)
8. Look Through Any Window (original style, short and sweet)
9. Daddy Don’t Mind (sans brass or substituted with something tasteful by Ian Parker)
10. Skylarks (including banjo)
11. Stop! In The Name Of Love

Set 2:

12. The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee
13. Soldier’s Song
14. Searchin’
15. Yes I Will
16. Take My Love And Run
17. On A Carousel
18. Priceless (Howarth acoustic)
19. Long Dark Road
20. One Touch segued into The Baby (both sitar/guitar)
21. Carrie Anne
22. Stop Stop Stop (banjo - including rousing intro)
23. The Air That I Breathe
24. Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)

Encore:

25. He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
26. Let Love Pass (A cappella)

As it'll never happen, there's my request. Damn it, I'd like to get a Hey Willy/48 Hour Parole medley in there as well. :-)  Couldn't think of anything suitable from the 1990s, but every other decade covered.

[gee]

Obviously everyone's own wishes re certain fav songs differ however the overall view is a few more ALBUM tracks of various eras and the need to include a few more recent songs plus alternating songs a bit more

'Twenty Golden Greats' while so important was also (as with other veteran groups likewise) something of a 'nostalgia millstone' around each of these bands necks for concert shows

There are some songs 'set in stone' that bands must do live as the public want and expect to hear them

- for The Hollies clearly: He Ain't Heavy / Air That I Breathe / LCW / Carrie Anne/ Stop Stop Stop / Bus Stop and a few others fall into that catergory

that leaves the rest of the show for:

A) more Album tracks of their own back catalogue - sixties, seventies including a few other Rickfors era songs such as: 'Blue in The Morning', 'Witchy Woman', 'If it Wasn't For The Reason', 'The Last Wind', 'Nearer To You' etc

B) at least four current era Hollies songs I think to keep the set rather more modern (which should vary) - 'Skylarks', 'Let Love Pass' (full version), 'So Damn Beautiful', 'Hearts Don't Lie' etc

C) the surprises - be it a 'acoustic spot', a Rock & Roll spot, unexpected songs either other less played UK and overseas hits
('If I Needed Someone', 'Daddy Don't Mind', 'Write On', 'Falling Calling', 'Another Night' etc)

'or 'B' sides ('All The World is Love', 'Don't Run And Hide', 'Dandelion Wine', 'Layin To The Music', 'Crossfire' etc) and later Clarke era songs like maybe: 'Shine Silently', 'Stand By Me', 'Laughter Turns To Tears', 'Find Me A Family' etc

it used to baffle me why they did all those cover versions of songs with Clarke in the eighties / nineties concerts - like 'When Doves Cry', 'Riders on The Storm', 'A Whiter Shade...' etc (done well of course)...when they had such a LARGE back catalogue of strong quality songs themselves from several decades that the band never or hardly ever performed live - the vast majority of which were  just forever effectively left 'gathering dust' untouched in their own recorded archive...a back catalogue many other bands would envy to play live so much !

and in truth them paying tribute to other artists (who let's face it many of which would never EVER return the compliment back to The Hollies) is frankly a waste of their concert time in my opinion !

whatever our individual song choices - and the scope for regular alternation of numbers leaves plenty of room to do them ALL at some point - the clear fact is they really need to be rather more adventurous in the non 'set in stone' choice of songs, keep the show a bit more up to date and surprise us all a bit more with HOLLIES songs they do in their concerts

...otherwise never mind their fanbase the general public WILL begin to get bored thinking 'we have seem them before' etc


- I understand a few concerts in Sweden failed to sell out a while back, hope that isn't the sound of alarm bells ringing...

[JamesT]

Apr 3, 2019 17:39:18 GMT gee said:

...otherwise never mind their fanbase the general public WILL begin to get bored thinking 'we have seem them before' etc


- I understand a few concerts in Sweden failed to sell out a while back, hope that isn't the sound of alarm bells ringing...

Touring seems to be much reduced of late - I presume there will be an autumn UK tour (as yet, no details).  Peter seems to be making some headway with his Frontm3n group, most likely a good thing should the day finally come when The Hollies might call it a day.  To be honest, I'm happy enough to see them once a year and enjoy a consumate if somewhat predictable concert.  I'm holding on to the hope that I'll finally hear 'Magic Woman Touch'.  When the two latest albums were released, things were a little more varied.  We must root ourselves in reality, most attendees are there to hear the hits.  Certainly, I don't think I've spoken to anyone sitting beside me who has anywhere near the knowledge that I and others on here have.  Favourite Hollies album?  "I think I'd have to say ''The best of The Hollies'" 😁 

[Deleted]

Apr 4, 2019 6:42:12 GMT JamesT said:

Apr 3, 2019 17:39:18 GMT gee said:

Favourite Hollies album?  "I think I'd have to say ''The best of The Hollies'" 😁 

I'm sure if they chose a proper album, it would more likely to be the big-selling 'Hollies Sing Dylan' or 'Live Hits', even though a handful of die-hards would prefer 'Evolution', 'Distant Light' or 'Out On The Road'...

[johnt]

Apr 4, 2019 6:42:12 GMT JamesT said:

Apr 3, 2019 17:39:18 GMT gee said:

...otherwise never mind their fanbase the general public WILL begin to get bored thinking 'we have seem them before' etc


- I understand a few concerts in Sweden failed to sell out a while back, hope that isn't the sound of alarm bells ringing...

Touring seems to be much reduced of late - I presume there will be an autumn UK tour (as yet, no details).  

I've heard from a reliable source that there will be no Autumn UK tour this year.

[JamesT]

Apr 4, 2019 7:52:27 GMT peterc said:

Apr 4, 2019 6:42:12 GMT JamesT said:

Favourite Hollies album?  "I think I'd have to say ''The best of The Hollies'" 😁 

I'm sure if they chose a proper album, it would more likely to be the big-selling 'Hollies Sing Dylan' or 'Live Hits', even though a handful of die-hards would prefer 'Evolution', 'Distant Light' or 'Out On The Road'...

Very true.  It was an Alan Partridge-style quip!

[JamesT]

Apr 4, 2019 8:23:52 GMT johnt said:

Apr 4, 2019 6:42:12 GMT JamesT said:

Touring seems to be much reduced of late - I presume there will be an autumn UK tour (as yet, no details).  

I've heard from a reliable source that there will be no Autumn UK tour this year.

Blimey.  So that'll be no UK tour at all in 2019, the first time in 11 years (although I think there have been much reduced dates in a couple of years between then and now).  

[Stranger]

Apr 4, 2019 8:26:21 GMT JamesT said:

Apr 4, 2019 7:52:27 GMT peterc said:

I'm sure if they chose a proper album, it would more likely to be the big-selling 'Hollies Sing Dylan' or 'Live Hits', even though a handful of die-hards would prefer 'Evolution', 'Distant Light' or 'Out On The Road'...

Very true.  It was an Alan Partridge-style quip!

James I promise you I've seen that actual response to a "What's Your Favourite Album?" post on the Hollies' Facebook page!

[Deleted]

Haha! I hate those FB 'fan' pages (I'm not even on social media any more).

[moorlock2003]

Looks like I'm not the only one displeased with the band's set lists. I saw them 3 times and each time the set list could definitely have been better.

[JamesT]

Apr 4, 2019 21:31:00 GMT Stranger said:

Apr 4, 2019 8:26:21 GMT JamesT said:

Very true.  It was an Alan Partridge-style quip!

James I promise you I've seen that actual response to a "What's Your Favourite Album?" post on the Hollies' Facebook page!

Sadly,  I don't doubt it!

[Gralto]

Well, we all know this will never be a setlist in a Hollies show but it was fun to put together - here's mine today (which would change tomorrow I'm sure if I kept thinking). Some of the sequencing doesn't work perfectly but it would keep the audience on their toes!

1. Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)
2. I’m Alive
3. Carrie Anne
4. Stewball
5. Magic Woman Touch
6. Priceless (Howarth solo)
7. Wings
8. We’re Through
9. Long Dark Road
10. I’ve Been Wrong Before
11. Too Young To Be Married (Hicks lead vocal)
12. I Can’t Let Go
(end of first half)
13. Step Inside
14. If I Needed Someone
15. Nash tribute medley – Marrakesh Express/Wasted On The Way/Cathedral
16. Shine Silently
17. He Ain’t Heavy (acoustic/solo Howarth)
18. Laughter Turns To Tears
19. Don’t Let Me Down
20. Have You Ever Loved Somebody?
21. Yes I Will
22. On A Carousel
23. The Air That I Breathe

(Encore)
24. Too Much Monkey Business (George Ezra/’Shotgun’ and Pharrell Williams/’Happy’ excerpted)
25. Look Through Any Window

Some departing audience would doubtless be saying, "where was Bus Stop, Stop Stop Stop, Sorry Suzanne, Here I Go Again, Just One Look...?" - I'd be thinking "good - keep 'em wanting more - now go and buy our recent live discs at the merchandise stall out the front to hear those missing tracks!" :-)

cheers
Simon