He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is a ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for the Hollies later that year and also a hit for Neil Diamond in 1970. It has been recorded by many artists in subsequent years. The Hollies' version was re-released in 1988 and again was a major hit in the UK.

This article is about the song by the Hollies. For other uses, see He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (disambiguation).

"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
Single by Kelly Gordon
from the album Defunked
B-side"That's Life"
Released1969
Length4:49
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Kelly Gordon
Kelly Gordon singles chronology
"You're A Star Now"
(1964)		 "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
(1969)		 "Some Old Funky Blues Thing"
(1969)

Scott and Russell were introduced to each other by Johnny Mercer, at a California nightclub. Although Russell was dying of lymphoma and the pair met only three times, they managed to collaborate on the song.

Title

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

In a 1918 publication by Ralph Waldo Trine titled The Higher Powers of Mind and Spirit, Trine relates the following anecdote: "Do you know that incident in connection with the little Scottish girl? She was trudging along, carrying as best she could a boy younger, but it seemed almost as big as she herself, when one remarked to her how heavy he must be for her to carry, when instantly came the reply: 'He's na heavy. He's mi brither.'"[2]

The first editor of Kiwanis magazine, Roe Fulkerson, published a column in September 1924 carrying the title "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", the first use of the phrase exactly as it is rendered in the song title.

In the 1940s, the words, adapted as "He ain't heavy, Father, he's my brother", were taken as a slogan for Boys Town children's home by founder Father Edward Flanagan.[3] According to the Boys Town website, the phrase as used by Boys Town was said to Fr. Flanagan in 1918 by one of the residents while carrying another up a set of stairs. The boy being carried is said to have had polio and worn leg braces.[4]

The Hollies version
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
Single by the Hollies
from the album He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (US)
B-side"'Cos You Like to Love Me"
Released
  • September 26, 1969 (UK)
  • December 1969 (US)
RecordedJune 25, 1969[5]
StudioEMI, London
Genre
Length4:20[7]
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ron Richards
The Hollies singles chronology
"Sorry Suzanne"
(1969)		 "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
(1969)		 "I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top"
(1970)

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,[8] as well their next single, "I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top".[9] The song was released on 26 September 1969 and reached No. 3 in the UK,[10] and No. 7 in the US.[5] The song was re-released in August 1988 in the UK following its use in a television advertisement for Miller Lite beer. It reached the No. 1 spot in the UK chart for two weeks in September 1988.[11]

Record World said "this beautiful ballad features [the Hollies'] usual fine vocals."[12]

Neil Diamond version
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
Single by Neil Diamond
from the album Tap Root Manuscript
B-side"Free Life"
ReleasedNovember 5, 1970
Recorded1970
GenreRock
Length4:30
LabelUni
Songwriter(s)Bob Russell, Bobby Scott
Producer(s)Neil Diamond, Tom Catalano
Neil Diamond singles chronology
"Cracklin' Rosie"
(1970)		 "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
(1970)		 "Do It"
(1970)

The Neil Diamond version entered at No. 68 on the Hot 100 on November 7, 1970 (UNI Records, 55264, length 4:09).[36] The flip side was "Free Life". The song appears on Diamond's album Tap Root Manuscript, which was released in November 1970.[36] The song was played by KGB-AM radio, San Diego, California, in late 1970, prior to the then-new Walk for Mankind, in dedication to those who would be walking for donations that day.

Track listings

7" single

  1. He Ain't Heavy - He's My Brother - 3:59
  2. Free Life - 3:11
Charts
Chart (1970-1971) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[37] 20
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 4
Australian Singles Chart 94
New Zealand Singles Chart 18

Bill Medley version
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
Single by Bill Medley
from the album Rambo III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
ReleasedAugust 1, 1988
Recorded1988
GenreSoul, adult contemporary
Length4:30
LabelScotti Bros
Songwriter(s)Bob Russell, Bobby Scott
Producer(s)Giorgio Moroder
Bill Medley singles chronology
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life"
(1987)		 "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
(1988)		 "I'm Gonna Be Strong"
(1989)

Bill Medley recorded a version for the soundtrack of the film Rambo III. It was released as a single in the UK and peaked at No. 25, being on the chart the same time as the Hollies' version in 1988. It reached No. 49 on Billboard's AC chart.[38]

Track listings

7" single

  1. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - 4:30
  2. Giorgio Moroder – The Bridge (Instrumental) - 4:00
Charts
Chart (1988) Peak
position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 49
UK Singles Chart[39] 25
Dutch Top 40[40] 23
Belgian Singles Chart[41] 20

Gotthard version
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
Cover art for the single with alternate title.
Single by Gotthard
from the album G. (Asian Releases only)
ReleasedSeptember 20, 1996
Recorded1996
GenrePop
Length4:37
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)Bob Russell, Bobby Scott
Producer(s)Chris von Rohr
Gotthard singles chronology
"One Life One Soul"
(1996)		 "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
(1996)		 "Let It Rain"
(1996)

In 1996, Gotthard released their version of the song, which was poppier compared to their other songs and the structure was retained as a ballad like the original. In Switzerland, the cover was just as successful as the original. The Asian version of the album G contains the cover. It also appears on the compilation albums One Life One Soul – Best of Ballads and The Greatest Rock Ballads.

Track listings

CD-maxi

  1. "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" - 4:37
  2. "All I Care For" - 3:08
  3. "One Life, One Soul" - 3:58
Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Swiss Singles Chart[42] 10

The Justice Collective version
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
Single by the Justice Collective
ReleasedDecember 17, 2012
RecordedOctober–November 2012
Studio
GenrePop rock
Length4:33
LabelMetropolis
Songwriter(s)
  • Bob Russell
  • Bobby Scott
Producer(s)
The Justice Collective singles chronology
"The Fields of Anfield Road (as the Liverpool Collective)"
(2009)		 "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
(2012)		 "All Together Now (as the Peace Collective)"
(2014)
Music video
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" on YouTube

In 2012, a version of the song was recorded, and was released on December 17, 2012, by musicians and celebrities going under the name the Justice Collective, for various charities associated with the Hillsborough disaster.[43] The song went on to take the coveted Christmas number one position for 2012 on the UK Singles Chart.[44]

Background

After the News International phone hacking scandal, members of the Farm along with Pete Wylie, and Mick Jones of the Clash performed at an anti-The Sun concert at the Liverpool Olympia in September 2011. Following this they formed the Justice Tonight Band and toured the United Kingdom and Europe for the next year in order to raise awareness of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.[45]

Initially, the idea was to re-release the 2009 single "The Fields of Anfield Road" by the Liverpool Collective featuring the Kop Choir; however, this idea was rejected by Peter Hooton as only a relatively small number of people would buy it. Inspired by Everton's Hillsborough tribute on September 17, 2012, the song was played at Goodison Park prior to their match against Newcastle United. It was then decided that a re-recording of this song by various artists including the Justice Tonight Band would be released as the charity single.[45]

Keith Mullen of the Farm recruited Guy Chambers to produce the single and with Chambers offering free use of his Sleeper Studios to record the song. On October 25, 2012, Steve Rotheram, Guy Chambers and Kenny Dalglish announced plans of the single to be recorded by various artists such as Robbie Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Paloma Faith, Beverley Knight, Melanie C, Holly Johnson, Mick Jones, Glen Campbell, Peter Hooton, Chris Sharrock, Glenn Tilbrook, Ren Harvieu, Dave McCabe, Paul Heaton, Hollie Cook, Jon McClure, John Power, Gerry Marsden, and two original members of the Hollies, Bobby Elliott and Tony Hicks.[45]

Other versions
  • In 1971, Donny Hathaway covered the song and released it on his self-titled album. He also published live performances of the song in several live albums.
  • In 1975, Olivia Newton-John covered the song on her album Clearly Love and included it as the B-side on her single from the same album, "Let It Shine", which went to No. 1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart. Record World said that "Olivia covers the tune with a wispy vocal and understated instrumentation, making the song all her own."[54]

References
  1. Wells, James (September 10, 2010). The parables of Jesus. Retrieved January 18, 2012.
  2. Trine, Ralph Waldo (1918). The Higher Powers of Mind and Spirit. Project Gutenberg.
  3. "ZipUSA: Boystown, Nebraska @ National Geographic Magazine". Ngm.nationalgeographic.com. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  4. "The Story Behind "He Ain't Heavy…"". Boys Town. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  5. The Hollies—Epic Anthology: From the Original Master Tapes Epic Records EGK 46161 liner notes
  6. Ewing, Tom (July 9, 2010). "The Hollies - "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". Freaky Trigger. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  7. Epic Records 5-10532 45 rpm
  8. Buskin, Richard. "Classic Tracks: The Hollies 'The Air That I Breathe'". SoundOnSound. Sound On Sound.
  9. White, Timothy; Rosen, Craig (October 4, 1997). "Elton John, 30 years of music with Bernie Taupin". Billboard. p. 43.
  10. "The Hollies: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  11. "All The Official Singles Chart Number 1s". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  12. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Record World. October 4, 1969. p. 6. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  13. "Forum - 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  14. "The Hollies – He Ain't Heavy - He's My Brother" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  15. "RPM 100". RPM. 13 (5). 21 March 1970. Archived from the original (PHP) on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  16. "RPM Adult". RPM. 12 (26). 14 February 1970. Archived from the original (PHP) on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  17. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. p. 132. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  18. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  19. "The Hollies – He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  20. "Flavour of New Zealand, 19 December 1969". Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  21. "The Hollies – He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". VG-lista.
  22. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  23. "Hollies, The – He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". Swiss Singles Chart.
  24. "The Hollies Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  25. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, March 21, 1970". Archived from the original on June 8, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  26. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Hollies – He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON The Hollies"
  27. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 40. October 1, 1988. p. 24.
  28. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  29. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  30. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. July 17, 2013.
  31. "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1972". Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  32. "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  33. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 26, 1970". Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  34. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. January 1, 1989. p. 30. Mistakenly credited as Bill Medley's version, which reached number 55 on the Eurochart.
  35. "Top 100 Singles: Year-End Chart 1988". Music Week. March 4, 1989. p. 12.
  36. "I Am...I Said, A Fan of Neil Diamond". Iaisnd.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2012.
  37. chartsurfer.de
  38. "Bill Medley Chart History: Adult Contemporary". Billboard.
  39. chartsurfer.de
  40. ultratop.be
  41. ultratop.be
  42. hitparade.ch
  43. Michaels, Sean (November 23, 2012). "Paul McCartney guests on Hillsborough charity single with Robbie Williams". Guardian UK. London. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  44. "Hillsborough single is Christmas number one". Daily Telegraph UK. November 23, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  45. "Interview With Keith Mullin | Players | Interviews". Blue Kipper. December 8, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  46. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  47. "The Justice Collective – He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  48. "The Justice Collective – He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". VG-lista.
  49. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  50. "Promusicae (Week: December 26, 2012)" (PDF). Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  51. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  52. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
  53. "Top 100 Singles of 2012". BBC Radio 1. BBC Online. December 31, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  54. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. November 29, 1975. p. 1. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
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