“If you're going through difficult times, it's hilarious how you turn on the radio and even the most cliché things perfectly capture how you're feeling. And then you realize why people wrote those songs.” »read more
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“If you're going through difficult times, it's hilarious how you turn on the radio and even the most cliché things perfectly capture how you're feeling. And then you realize why people wrote those songs.” »read more
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This was written by Graham Gouldman, who went on to form the band 10cc, best known for their hit "I'm Not In Love." Gouldman also wrote the song "Heartful Of Soul," which was recorded by the Yardbirds. (thanks, don - rapid city, SD)
This is about couple who meet one rainy day at a bus stop. Love blooms when they share an umbrella.
In a Manchester newspaper, Graham Gouldman said he wrote this whilst riding on the No. 95 bus. It ran from East Didsbury - the route went through Manchester city centre, to Sedgeley Park, Cheetham Hill, Prestwich, and on to Whitefield near Bury. Graham was living with his family on this route in Broughton Park Salford at the time. (thanks, Ian Williams - Manchester UK, England)
Graham Nash looked back at the recording of this song in Rolling Stone magazine. He recalled: "I think 'Bus Stop' has got to be my favorite because we recorded it in an hour and 15 minutes and it was a huge hit. We had a manager named Michael Cohen and he says 'You know, I got this little Jewish kid who lives down the street, he said he's a song writer. Would you come and see him?' His name was Graham Gouldman, and later became a very famous man in his own act, but at this time he was only a 16 year old kid. So we go in and we go 'Ok, so what do you got?' He goes, 'Well, I got this one...' and we went 'Okay, we'll definitely take that one. What else do you got?' It was a truly and astounding thing to see this 16 year old kid who was a fabulous songwriter."
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To Fyodor in Denver: While "Bus Stop's" instrumentation may have been recorded in one take, the lead vocals certainly were not. If you listen closely to the verses you can hear the lead voice is being double-tracked.
- ted, phoenix, AZ
This song is totally not a drug song. It's a love song. I happen to love it, it's one of my fave oldies :)
- Trina, New York, NY
Regarding the "drug reference," I saw a guest on the Mike Douglas show not long after this was a hit, warning parents about the dangers of drug references in song lyrics. He said "umbrella" was a synonym for a popular barbiturate, what we called "downers" in those days. No idea whether there is any truth in it. He also mentioned Donovan's "Mellow Yellow" and the alleged lesbian reference.
- John, San Diego, CA
classic song writing genius , move over Beethoven.
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- ED, HOUSTON, TX
I have always heard it was banned because "we shared my umbrella" was a drug reference.
- kurt, dallas, TX
"Bus Stop" has always been one of my favorite records by the Hollies and one of my favorite songs, period.
The same goes for Herman's Hermits' "No Milk Today" by the same songwriter.
- Rodney, Toronto, Canada
I heard they recorded this live (as in no overdubs) and it was just part of their set which they just ran through in its entirety in the studio. The fact that it wasn't written by a bandmember (nor a cover, right?) makes me wonder about that, though.
- fyodor, Denver, CO
Banned by the BBC? You have to be kidding me! This is a great song!
- Stefanie, Rock Hill, SC
Songwriter,Graham Gouldman,also wrote and recorded a minor hit ,"Sausalito" ,attributed to bubblegum group Ohio Express in 1969.
- Tom, Washington, DC
"Every morning I can see her waiting at the stop"
this is my favorite song of the Hollies. It must me great waiting at the bus stop and falling in love.
- Teresa, Mechelen, Belgium
I have heard this this sweet, simple, tender song was once banned by the BBC. I can't for the life of me see why. Anybody know about this?
- Jerry, Brooklyn, NY
Graham Gouldman also wrote "For Your Love" (The Yardbirds), "No Milk Today", "Listen People" and "East, West" (Herman's Hermits) and others.
- Victor, San Diego, CA
They had uneven songs. This one is awesome.
- Nessie, Sapporo, Japan
Probably one of the very first rock songs I could not hear enough of.
This and "Stop, Stop, Stop" also by the Hollies!
- Mike, Mountlake Terrace, Washington