Here’s another song with a person’s name in the title, the Hollies’ “Carrie Anne.” Today’s classic song of the day was recorded and released in May of 1967 (the world spun faster back then) and it went all the way to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100—and to #3 on the UK charts.
“Carrie Anne” was written by group members Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks. It was actually a tribute to singer-actress Marianne Faithfull, who had briefly dated Mr. Clarke. (She also had a legendary relationship with Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger, but that was later.) They could have called the song “Marianne,” which fits the rhythm of the rhyme scheme, but they hid the meaning by switching the name to the similar-paced “Carrie Anne.” And now you know…
Allan, Tony, and Graham shared lead vocal duties on this one, each taking a verse (in that order). The song is also notable for its inclusion of a steel drum solo, which give the tune a bit of an island vibe. Different than a guitar solo, anyway.
Trivia note: Canadian actress Carrie-Anne Moss was named for this song. It was big on the charts when she was born on August 21, 1967.
And here’s today’s daily bonus video of the day, the Hollies performing “Carrie Anne” live on the BBC in 1969, sans steel drums and sans Graham Nash, who had left the group by then to form Crosby, Stills & Nash. They still sounded good, though.
