He Aint Heavy, He's My Brother - The Hollies | Andy & Alex FIRST TIME REACTION!

[@allenlunde7908]

I think it’s important to recognize that the lyrics aren’t about a literal brother but encourage you to see everyone as your brother or sister.

[@sandgroperwookiee65]

Indeed 👍 ✌️❤️

[@itchyandred4131]

Exactly ✌️

[@batmanforpresident9655]

Absolutely right ..The song is basically a religious song, as the title was based on The Roman Catholic organization Boys Town motto: "He Ain't Heavy, Father, He's M' Brother".

[@bjm9071]

It is both. The original Boys Town photo showed a boy (Reuben Granger) carrying his friend (Howard Loomis) who had polio. When Father Flanagan asked Reuben if he was heavy, that was his reply. But of course it was a metaphor as well..

[@SpaceCattttt]

Perhaps, but that's impossible. You can't care that strongly for everyone. However, if the song inspires you to care for the people in your life, then it's done what it set out to do.

[@karehelene]

This isn't just siblings, friends, family, but all of humanity.

[@chrishelbling3879]

Retired HS music teacher here. Had my Choir perform this song once, with harmonica. Projected on a screen behind them, pictures of soldiers in combat, or carrying their wounded buddies, or flag-draped caskets. My students LOVED this song.

[@tuckerplum8085]

Hello Mr. or Ms. Choir Teacher. I was in Choir all through my school days. Our Ensemble came in second in the state. I did Barbershop Quartet. We had a group that performed all those four-part harmony Manhattan Transfer songs. (I LOVE those.) And I was in my state's Men's Honors Choir. In that capacity, we performed this beautiful, beautiful song. A four-part male choir. Wonderful. I'll never forget it! Thank you for everything you did to help and support all those high school singers. I was one of those kids, and Choir meant the world to me!

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

In 1991, my track was hit, and one of the cav scouts I served with pulled me out of my burning vehicle. Looked up, and he says, "not here, not today Sir!" He drags me out, and maybe 10 seconds later he gets nailed by a burst of machine gun fire. He died from that. I'd have burnt to death without him ... that's who I think of ...

[@karlriley9274]

My Younger Brother passed away this past March..... He was my best friend in the World ... I miss him immensely... Great Song 😢

[@shanehenderson383]

Lost my brother. I feel the same way.

[@teresaluz975]

This song is not a song, it's an emotion. I always cry when I hear it. This is above S tier.

[@debsandz]

As others have suggested "The Air That I Breathe" is another beautiful song by the Hollies that you need to hear.

[@karenbautista9236]

Agree

[@stevedahlberg8680]

💯

[@scottmarleneking6298]

Yes! Yes! Yes! Post-coital bliss perfectly expressed!

[@debsandz]

@@scottmarleneking6298 Yes!... as is your descriptor of the song!🙂

[@ronreynolds1610]

Exactly so ,,, sometimes just the vocals can be a ''banger'' ... IMO...

[@rbffbvs]

The phrase "He ain't heavy, he's my brother" is on the gate of Boy's Town orphanage in Nebraska, along with an image of an older boy carrying his younger brother on his back. Both beautiful and heart rending.

[@rhondapease8516]

I grew up with the annual Christmas stamps depicting the young fellow carrying his younger brother. You received these in the mail each year and you would send a donation to the boys town orphanage. When you mailed out your Christmas cards you would add this stamp to the back of your envelope showing your support. My mom would never use stamps like these unless she gave a donation.😊

[@catherinelw9365]

@@rhondapease8516 Same here!

[@RTSOB1]

@@rhondapease8516 As a Boys Town graduate (a "Former Boy", in the parlance), I thank you and your Mom.

[@davidolson2729]

A priest asked the older boy “ isn’t he heavy?” and the boy responded with the famous line.

[@amazinggrace5692]

This

[@mimiwiz1]

We played this song at my brother's funeral as my siblings and I carried his casket from the church. It's a song that evokes many different interpretations and feelings. ❤ Thanks for the great reaction!

[@scottengerson1130]

Thank you for sharing that touching moment. Absikutely beautiful .

[@sibkiss2009]

Now that choked me up!

[@lorrilewis2178]

Well, that story brought on insta-tears.

[@jstpshply79]

I'm so very sorry for your loss 😔

[@scottarnest8980]

Wow, brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely gesture.

[@ChuckDrennen]

In the 70s we still cared about one another.

[@carlt9265]

Far less muslims they destroyed this world

[@Flowerchick1967-tq1vn]

Oh, now this is an S. Hands down. I can’t listen to this song without crying. Unbelievably profound and powerful.

[@BaseballMom523]

This all day!

[@TheCornishCockney]

Gasoline Alley Bred is a huge song for me because I grew up in South London next to a refinery and the lyrics are spot on.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

It's a lot more S for those who were there. But it still should've been S-Tier for this channel. It's a perfectly written and executed song in every way.

[@barbarastrayhorn4667]

Same

[@kennethohnemus3192]

This song is one of the best feel good songs that we all need to hear more often. I don't tear up but I do get goosebumps every time

[@johnhughes3214]

If this isn’t an S tier song, what is?? By the way, Elton John plays the piano on this song. He was a session musician at the time.

[@John_Locke_108]

Really? How have I gone my whole life without knowing this.

[@starlit_hawser11]

No way. That’s amazing!

[@XCaliKev]

👍🤠 Never knew that, thank you

[@alrivers2297]

Cool! Never knew that either

[@jillwanlin9558]

It’s interesting that you said that. This song always reminds of Elton’s song Daniel.

[@nickface55]

I dedicate this comment to my little brother David, who just passed away. I'm sorry that I was a typical big brother and sometimes was very hard on you, in the end you were never a burden and now that your gone I feel like a three legged chair.

[@NakAlienEd]

Next Hollies song should Definitely be "The Air that I Breathe". It's closer in feel to this than "Long Cool Woman", and is just a classic love song.

[@vincentcorrigan5209]

The lyric of" He would not incumber me" touched my heart.

[@ralpholson7616]

I was the youngest of 4 kids. I was 3 and my oldest brother was 8 when we lost our mother. This song always reminds me of my oldest brother and how he looked out for me over the years. RIP Tom.

[@DreamsSketcher]

That js beautiful. I am sorry you lost your mother so early in your lives. God bless her and your big brother. You too.

[@deborahbarchard5957]

As a woman who was in my late teens and early twenties during the Viet Nam War, I never could not associate this with that time. The visual print images and news reels shown at during that time never left me.

[@Cheryworld]

The song has history: James Wells, Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland, tells the story of a little girl carrying a big baby boy in his 1884 book The Parables of Jesus. Seeing her struggling, someone asked if she wasn't tired. With surprise she replied: "No, he's not heavy; he's my brother."[1]

[@mark-be9mq]

Excellent. TY

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

And it became the slogan of Boys Town (Father Flanagan's Boys' Home), the juvenile care center in Nebraska.

[@jimwiese3814]

Thanx for the backstory

[@-Mimi-1]

Thanks. All these years never knew that. Lovely.

[@tracycampbell3060]

​@@-Mimi-1me neither ❤

[@sheilaholmes996]

I just lost my best friend of 51 years and it broke my heart. This song tears me up.😢 Sorry for your loss Alex.

[@kathy2122]

Sorry for your loss too, Sheila.

[@mattsmith7490]

"His welfare is my concern" is the line that chocks me up every time I hear this song. RIP to my little brother Andy, and all those other lost brothers.

[@batmanforpresident9655]

The Hollies are an overlooked group.Their best hits include: "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress", "The Air That I Breathe", "Carrie Anne", "Bus Stop", "Stop, Stop, Stop", "Look Through Any Window", "On A Carousel". Neil Diamond also had a great hit version of this classic.

[@surlechapeau]

they did Bus Stop

[@garymaidman625]

​@@surlechapeauthey've also done Long Cool Woman

[@erickvermeulen9734]

You forgot The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee

[@surlechapeau]

@@garymaidman625 correct

[@garymaidman625]

​@@erickvermeulen9734he also forgot Gasoline Alley Bred.

[@waynewallace9972]

The Hollies had many hits, but the lead singer was clear that he would never tire of singing this song

[@Tarkus7]

Allan Clarke's voice plus those harmonies, excellence. A supergroup. They do "live" better than anyone from that era.

[@LaurieSlicer-yx7os]

What a different world this would be if everyone thought and behaved the way this song taught us. This is definitely a S-tier song.

[@robwarren6729]

The Hollies are legend. Add my vote for “The Air That I Breathe” which is a masterpiece. It was written by Albert Hammond, but perfected by the Hollies - monster hit.

[@hamiltonburger4574]

Where the title came from: 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. Soon, several of the Home’s older boys were carrying Howard up and down the stairs. One day, Father Flanagan asked Reuben Granger, one of those older boys, if carrying Howard was hard. Reuben replied, “He ain’t heavy, Father… he’s m’ brother.”

[@Billyness]

I lost a brother recently. This is the song I played on repeat.

[@janetroberts3202]

Sorry for the loss of your brother. May you be comforted.

[@ingrid8994]

Sorry for your loss 🥀

[@memorylane7068]

This came out in 1969 at the height of the Vietnam War and had the connotation of the feeling for a brother in arms.

[@hintzsch]

In 1995, my high school choir director did an Acapella arrangement of this song for us, and dedicated it to his brother who he had recently lost after a long battle. I cry every time.

[@cstarv]

It's an S tier for me personally. That song just spoke to me when it came out and I don't have a brother. But even as a young teen I knew it was about the brotherhood of man, helping each other

[@surlechapeau]

A&A, you'll love their "The Air That I Breathe", "Carrie Anne" and "On a Carousel" !!!

[@shanehenderson8756]

As far as I am concerned it's about my brother. Who died about 8 years ago at 57. This song makes me think about him. And still brings tears 😢. I miss him so much.

[@179cpv]

Bob Russell wrote the lyrics for this song. It was his last hit as he was dying from lymphoma at the time. He also collaborated with jazz composer Duke Ellington on several songs in the 1940s.

[@fleurdelis2976]

“The Air That I Breathe” is my favorite by them. It’s a beautiful song. It always sends me into a calm zone when it comes up on my playlist.

[@TheCornishCockney]

Superb song. Yet another from this great British band.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Along with this, another S-Tier song by them.

[@chriswood3252]

Written by the wonderful Albert Hammond snr.

[@wb2463]

100%, The Air That I Breathe is a brilliant, beautiful track!

[@cinejourneys]

Also notable because Radiohead used the melody on “Creep.”

[@hockemeyer1]

The story in this song lyrics goes way back to 1918 and Father Flanagan the founder of Boys Town. Its the story of a boy named Howard Loomis who had polio and heavy braces. It was difficult for Howard to climb stairs, so usually one of the older boys would carry Howard on his back. Reuben Granger was one of those older boys. Father Flanagan one day asked Reuben if carrying Howard was hard, to which Reuben replied, "He ain't heavy Father, he's my brother". That phrase became the motto for Boy's Town. There is a 1938 movie called Boy's Town starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney.

[@nancy9478]

I tried not to cry. This was out when I was little and stirs so many memories. Please if you see a Vietnam Vet, welcome them home. Us older folks understand why. For all who served at any time, I thank you. You have my love always.

[@wicky4473]

I don’t say this often, but…this is a classic. Ps…sorry for your loss Alex.

[@peterstilla8733]

That's one of the few songs ever that can be called a tearjerker. It's always given me goosebumps even though I've heard it 100 times. Think about it little more lads, I think you may want to bump your rating up to an S.

[@bld9696]

The Osmonds did this in their shows for many years. Their harmonies were impeccable, and many people were reduced to tears because of the emotions this song evokes. A++ song.

[@tinaoreilly5973]

I have seen the Osmonds perform this many times but when they sang it on their 50th anniversary tour I was a wreck. Not a dry eye in the house.😊

[@RicoCosta317]

The incredible vocals by Allan Clarke combined with the brilliant harmonies elevate this song into the stratosphere. A master class in vocals turned into an absolute masterpiece.

[@billbusby3180]

I lived in Omaha where boys town was established. I went by the statue of the one boy carrying the other with this saying. It meant so much to me.

[@dianegoldeneye7207]

Sorry for the loss of your friend, Alex. Hits hard.

[@andyandalex]

Thank you ❤️

[@jeffreyprehn5768]

Great song. Air That I Breathe is also beautiful.

[@lorrilewis2178]

LOVE "Air That I Breathe"!!!

[@rundoetx]

Another s tier song

[@danmayberry1185]

And you'll never hear Radiohead's Creep in quite the same way.

[@georgewhite1078]

"The Air That I Breathe" my wife of 35 years asked me to sing her a song on our honeymoon. This was the only one I knew all the words. She was thrilled! She told me it was her favorite. It is so special to me and many others.

[@jillwanlin9558]

Alex, it’s interesting @ 1:04 you turned to Andy and said “Brother, life is a struggle, WE’RE working on it.” You much pretty much stated what this song is about. It’s impossible to get through life alone, we must carry each other. Hope my favourite is next, The Air That I Breathe.

[@steveturner3999]

The Hollies never had a bad song. To go from this deep thought provoking song to Long Cool Woman just shows their talent.

[@vincecalvarese6386]

One of the most beautiful songs of all time.

[@lorrilewis2178]

This one always brings on the tears.

[@jonhoward4884]

"The Air That I Breathe" is a masterpiece.

[@ldweisberg]

I'm in the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles... and every time we get new members, we all sing this to them at the end of their first rehearsal. So many of us (and them) well up each and every time.

[@SaverioP]

I bet you guys are good.

[@kcronin7211]

that's beautiful!

[@pattimurphyrocks]

That is so cool. By the way, I have always wanted to be in a Gay Men's Chorus. Seriously.

[@ldweisberg]

@@pattimurphyrocks Well, if you're in the Los Angeles area, we have no gender requirements. Anyone can audition.

[@pattimurphyrocks]

@@ldweisberg What? Are you kidding? I want to! Please send me the details. What is the name of your choir? When are auditions? I live in San Pedro. It really is something I want and I have been trying to find a choir. So excited!

[@sbalsamo410]

When this song first came out, my mother actually sat down and explained to me what it means. I was a little girl but she needed me to understand it then because she knew it would impact my entire life. And it did.

[@markgrant5305]

All time classic! S rating for sure

[@cinejourneys]

Lifetime S rating for me. The lyrics could read sappy but the song comes across as so genuine.

[@56music64]

Alex, you were meant to hear this song at this time in your life, I think that is why it resonated with you so much. Yes a classic song for sure

[@steverakes6182]

It was said that the line ''He Aint Heavy He's My Brother'' came from a young girl carrying a large baby, who was escaping a war torn city, and was asked by another refugee if the baby was heavy, and she replied, he aint heavy, he's my brother.

[@HalfNordic]

This song was recorded during the Vietnam era, & do remember hearing that this song might be referring to the military brotherhood, that during wartimes the soldiers become brothers, as in picture a soldier carrying an injured colleague to safety...they had each other's back & were "brothers "..."He ain't heavy..."

[@Madminute1968]

Beyond affirmative, in country 2nd Corps, Qui-Nhon, Pleiku Vietnam June 67 - June 68.

[@wpawson]

Imagine you are at war and your brother in arms falls. He ain't heavy. This is what makes this song powerful. Makes this song great.

[@craigreid7178]

I think of this song as an anthem for my generation. It aptly expresses what we were all about. It is a song that needs to be understood today and always.

[@flubblert]

So true.

[@JohnMartin-oh6bf]

The Hollies were the masters of beautiful music.

[@mimiprays8288]

Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone grieving is silently sit there and hold their hand. Love and support don't always need words.

[@Home-lb7jr]

After I lost my brother John it took me literally years before I could listen to this song without breaking down. Love and cherish those closest to you while you can.

[@randysalas3453]

Such a nice song from over 50 yrs. ago. They knew how to write good songs back then.

[@gerhardbraatz6305]

To me, it means love for your fellow man.

[@9RJA]

The Air that I Breathe is, in my opinion, the best love song ever.

[@IZZY_EDIBLE]

Just as triumphantly heart-swelling is the Hollies' THE AIR THAT I BREATHE. A must.

[@rhiahlMT]

"The Air that I Breathe" should be next. Someone did a video with this song as backup showing soldiers helping wounded soldiers, carrying them. It was amazing.

[@gillesmorin9439]

Great Peace and Love song!

[@crosmas]

I met the guy that wrote some of these Hollies hits in the 70's with them, his name is Terry Sylvester. He's a Liverpudlian that grew up with the Beatles literally, he lived a block away from Paul McCartney in Speke. Very nice guy and a talented person, good memory.

[@brianmayerchak1677]

Nothing makes me feel love for my fellow man like listening to this song

[@colinbraddock7185]

Every damn time, I weep like a baby...this song makes me think of my best friend, Brad. I love you, man.

[@joannparker1977]

Us good humans will help and carry our fellow man. What an incredibly important song.

[@gman7495]

The Hollies were one of the greatest bands of all time. Top 10 without a doubt!

[@michaelhewitt5735]

I love the way yous understand the meaning of the the music that’s cool

[@redpine8665]

It was a #1 hit in 1969, and again in the late 80's when it was in a movie or commercial - it's was re-discovered and it's greatness struck another generation.

[@dalebarkwell1807]

I play this song every Feb. on my late brothers B-Day . its how i remember him .

[@IleenForward]

I lost my younger brother Oct. 12 , 2007. I was helping him get clean from his drug addictions. The other members of the family couldn't take the time and effort to help so I was doing this on my own. Unfortunately, he passed away from a medical problem .but not from the drugs. He was 40 yrs old. Each time I hear this song I look and say " this is for you David. On February 24. his birthday I play this frequently while I am having the great memories of our times together. Always keep him in your heart ❤ where he will always be with you.

[@IamAmericasDaughter]

I grew up in the 60-70’s where the entire block was family. One neighbor boy we played with had a handicapped older brother. They were glued at the hip. We didn’t do anything that they couldn’t do. To be honest, we weren’t really limited, in those days, everyday was a great adventure. Ok, back to the point. Those two are who I think of when this song is on. Mentally handicapped was looked at entirely different then, but to me here’s a younger brother making every moment for both of them. Not because he had to, I don’t believe he felt that way and none of us ever did either. He was just one of the gang. When you had to wait, you had to wait or when you had to run, you had to run,,, so yea, I see how love and caring doesn’t always make it hard….

[@beatlesarebest]

You gotta hear The air that I breath (if you haven't already done it) It's GREAT!!!!!!!

[@deanroddey2881]

As many others will say, "The Air I Breathe" is a particularly good one from them. Those high, soaring harmonies allow them to really generate massive emotional impact. Some of their stuff was obviously recorded under some semi-primitive conditions, but the lo-fi nature of them just makes them more powerful. In the wrong hands, overly produced, etc... it could have just become sappy pap.

[@TexasMagnolia]

Love and Compassion for mankind. The Hollies also released one of the sexiest song’s of this era: Air that I Breathe

[@SpaceCattttt]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. It may have been written by two Americans, but the Hollies infuse this gorgeous melody with pure Mancunian soul. S-tier!!

[@deborahstrickland9845]

“Eli’s Coming”, live in 1975 is a great watch.❤️

[@cherylbourgerie8868]

Try not to get a little teary-eyed.

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

It's impossible if you contextualize it to your own "brothers" ... yet we are all brothers

[@ChuckHackney]

This is a song that is even more relevant today than it was when it came out. Great interpretation by the Hollies but another gem of a ❤tune by one of the greatest songwriters in music, the incredible Neil Diamond. He has given us so much brilliant music to enjoy, and this one is near the top of the list.❤❤ An "S" to both!!!!!!

[@Christatum411]

I`m sorry about your loss. Love that you got the song!

[@peterm4486]

The Air that I Breathe…there cannot be a better thing to say about a person…I’m 63, I’ve heard that song hundreds of times and only recently did I realize how breathtaking those lyrics are…pun intended

[@waltw4537]

Have you ever seen the 1938 movie with Spencer Tracy called "Boys Town"? The title line is used very effectively in the film. The figure of a young man with a younger boy on his shoulders is the logo, more or less, for the actual Boys Town.

[@steveandme63]

Buddha with a good voice... lovely 😊

[@AliasMark69]

The Hollies' recorded the song in June 1969 at the EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios), with Allan Clarke on lead vocals. Elton John, who was working as a session musician at the time, played the piano on the song

[@kennethquinnies6023]

Humanity needs to live this song.

[@kentandrade]

Great song, great reaction, gentlemen! This is from pop’s “gorgeous harmonica” era. The Chilites’ “Oh Girl” and Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talking” got the same vibe.

[@joanlajara3939]

We all love this song when it came out! It meant we were all part of humanity!!

[@cassandra2249]

Check out "The air that I breath". The Hollies are so soulful. I love them, bless 'em.

[@sherryheim5504]

Such an inspirational song. The lead vocal and harmonies are top tier. Production is excellent.

[@murraybozinsky7067]

I predict an "S" from both Andy & Alex. This is among the greatest songs ever written.

[@craigreid7178]

Yes, it should have been and S tier. What does it take to be and S???

[@Earthtime3978]

I don’t

[@glenndespres5317]

I hate the goddam ratings.

[@jameschar24]

S Tier without a doubt. The song is ethereal. Gents - we are not grading on a curve here. A great song is a great song. Give it its proper dues.

[@PhilM-lk1mt]

This song, along with Reflections of My Life just pull at your emotions.

[@philrob1978]

We have the strength. We always had it. We should use it to be better people. Use our empathy to help others. It's all there - a beautiful song, glad you loved it.

[@Lanzafan1]

Dudes! ''The Air That I Breathe' - the Hollies. Great to see younger people enjoying these tracks. I grew up listening to these bands. Love your videos! 🥰

[@60sbaby70sgirl]

Such a beautiful song. Thank you for listening to this one.

[@RockyMtnRebecca]

I'm so sorry you lost a friend, Alex. I had lost so many people by the time I was your age, I got a little bitter. But understanding life better, in general, and also accepting the things you cannot control, made it all worthwhile. Life ain't easy, but if you have love and faith, you'll be alright. ♥♥♥

[@deb5710]

It is my hope that someday this world of ours can see all of mankind as their brother/brothers, then the world will be a better place... great song from a great group!

[@georgianamcglinchey573]

It’s about individuals caring about the well-being of everyone. Humanity with one another.

[@Grogster2007]

Great comments guys....made me reevaluate this song which I've known for years, all over again......made me cry.