About the song
“Jennifer Eccles” by The Hollies is a charming and upbeat pop tune that showcases the band’s knack for crafting catchy melodies and harmonized vocals. Released as a single in March 1968, the song was not initially part of any studio album but was later included in various compilations, such as “The Hollies’ Greatest” released in the UK that same year. Its sunny vibe and infectious chorus make it one of the lighter and more whimsical entries in the Hollies’ discography.
The song’s lyrics tell the story of a youthful romance, capturing the innocence and sweetness of young love. The titular character, Jennifer Eccles, becomes the symbol of this playful and lighthearted connection. With a chorus that sticks in your head and a tone that evokes carefree days, the track offers a delightful slice of late-1960s pop. Despite its simplicity, the lyrics have an autobiographical touch; the names “Jennifer” and “Eccles” are reportedly references to the wives of the band’s co-writers, Allan Clarke and Graham Nash, giving the song a personal and affectionate touch.
Musically, “Jennifer Eccles” features a blend of jangly guitars, crisp percussion, and the Hollies’ signature vocal harmonies, which had become their hallmark by this point in their career. It strikes a balance between the folk-rock influences that were growing in popularity at the time and the pure pop sensibilities that had defined much of the Hollies’ earlier work. This combination helped the song achieve commercial success, reaching No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart and entering the Top 40 in the United States.
The song arrived during a transitional period for The Hollies, as Graham Nash would soon leave the group to form Crosby, Stills & Nash. While “Jennifer Eccles” is often seen as a lightweight pop offering compared to some of their deeper, more introspective tracks, it demonstrates the group’s ability to create accessible, radio-friendly music that appealed to a wide audience. Its cheerful and uncomplicated nature provides a contrast to the more experimental directions that many of their contemporaries were exploring, making it a refreshing and memorable part of their repertoire.
Over the decades, “Jennifer Eccles” has remained a fan favorite and a symbol of the Hollies’ knack for writing melodic, feel-good tunes. Its joyful tone and nostalgic charm have helped it endure as a classic example of 1960s pop, solidifying its place in the legacy of one of Britain’s most beloved bands.
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Lyrics
White chalk written on red brickOur love told in a heartIt’s there, drawn in the playgroundLove, kiss, hate or adoreI love Jennifer EcclesI know that she loves meI love Jennifer EcclesI know that she loves meLa la, la-la la la laLa la, la-la la-laLa la, la-la la la laLa la, la-la la-laI used to carry her satchelsShe used to walk by my sideBut when we got to her doorstepHer dad wouldn’t let me insideOne monday morningFound out I’d made the gradeStarted me thinkingHad she done the same?La la, la-la la la laLa la, la-la la-laLa la, la-la la la laLa la, la-la la-laOne monday morningFound out I’d made the gradeStarted me thinkingHad she done the same?I hope Jennifer EcclesIs going to follow me thereOur love is bound to continueLove, kiss, hate or adoreSingingI love Jennifer EcclesI know that she loves meI love Jennifer EcclesI know that she loves meLa la, la-la la la laLa la, la-la la-laLa la, la-la la la laLa la, la-la la-la