The Hollies - Carrie Anne

"Carrie Anne" is a song written by Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks and released by British pop rock group The Hollies. The song was recorded on 1 May 1967 and was released as a single in the same month by Parlophone Records in the United Kingdom and Epic Records in the United States. It became a hit in 1967, reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also a hit in the US and Canada, peaking at #9 on both pop charts. It also reached No. 4 in the Irish charts. According to Allan Clarke the song was written during a concert the group did with Tom Jones and the song was written mainly by Graham Nash and Tony Hicks with Allan Clarke supplying the lyrics for the middle eight. The introduction features vocal harmonies strongly influenced by the Beach Boys. The song features a steelpan solo, likely the first use of the instrument on a pop record. The solo (mostly a harmonized restatement of the vocal melody) was probably played by Trinidadian Ralph Richardson, though others argue it may have been Mario Gibbins. The song was recorded in only two takes on 1 May 1967 at EMI's Abbey Road Studios. The first take was a false start and can be heard on the compilation The Hollies at Abbey Road: 1966 to 1970.