"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.
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.
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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 recorded the song in June 1969 at the EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios), with Allan Clarke on lead vocals. According to Tony Hicks, he was given a demo recorded by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell when he was looking for songs to record, but found it too slow. The band sped up the song, and added an orchestra when they recorded the song.[8]Elton John, who was working as a session musician at the time, played piano on the song,[9] as well their next single, "I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top".[10] Elton John was paid £12 for his work on the song.[8]
The song was released on 26 September 1969 and reached No. 3 in the UK,[11] 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.[12]
Record World said, "This beautiful ballad features [the Hollies'] usual fine vocals."[13]
The Neil Diamond version entered at No. 68 on the Hot 100 on November 7, 1970 (UNI Records, 55264, length 4:09).[38] The flip side was "Free Life". The song appears on Diamond's album Tap Root Manuscript, which was released in November 1970.[38] 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.
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.[40]
Track listings
7" single
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - 4:30
Giorgio Moroder – The Bridge (Instrumental) - 4:00
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.
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.[45] The song went on to take the coveted Christmas number one position for 2012 on the UK Singles Chart.[46]
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 "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by various artists including the Justice Tonight Band would be released as the charity single.[47]
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."[56]
In 1986, British 80s band The Housemartins published an a capella version of the song on their debut album London 0 Hull 4.
^"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.
^"Top 100 Singles: Year-End Chart 1988". Music Week. March 4, 1989. p. 12.
