I think it’s important to recognize that the lyrics aren’t about a literal brother but encourage you to see everyone as your brother or sister.

This isn't just siblings, friends, family, but all of humanity.

We played this song at my brother's funeral as my siblings and I carried his casket from the church. It's a song that evokes many different interpretations and feelings. ❤ Thanks for the great reaction!

Retired HS music teacher here. Had my Choir perform this song once, with harmonica. Projected on a screen behind them, pictures of soldiers in combat, or carrying their wounded buddies, or flag-draped caskets. My students LOVED this song.

If this isn’t an S tier song, what is?? By the way, Elton John plays the piano on this song. He was a session musician at the time.

The phrase "He ain't heavy, he's my brother" is on the gate of Boy's Town orphanage in Nebraska, along with an image of an older boy carrying his younger brother on his back. Both beautiful and heart rending.

As others have suggested "The Air That I Breathe" is another beautiful song by the Hollies that you need to hear.

This song is not a song, it's an emotion. I always cry when I hear it. This is above S tier.

Next Hollies song should Definitely be "The Air that I Breathe". It's closer in feel to this than "Long Cool Woman", and is just a classic love song.

Oh, now this is an S. Hands down. I can’t listen to this song without crying. Unbelievably profound and powerful.

I just lost my best friend of 51 years and it broke my heart. This song tears me up.😢 Sorry for your loss Alex.

I was the youngest of 4 kids. I was 3 and my oldest brother was 8 when we lost our mother. This song always reminds me of my oldest brother and how he looked out for me over the years. RIP Tom.

My Younger Brother passed away this past March..... He was my best friend in the World ... I miss him immensely... Great Song 😢

The Hollies had many hits, but the lead singer was clear that he would never tire of singing this song

I lost a brother recently. This is the song I played on repeat.

The Hollies are an overlooked group.Their best hits include: "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress", "The Air That I Breathe", "Carrie Anne", "Bus Stop", "Stop, Stop, Stop", "Look Through Any Window", "On A Carousel". Neil Diamond also had a great hit version of this classic.

In the 70s we still cared about one another.

"His welfare is my concern" is the line that chocks me up every time I hear this song. RIP to my little brother Andy, and all those other lost brothers.

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

I dedicate this comment to my little brother David, who just passed away. I'm sorry that I was a typical big brother and sometimes was very hard on you, in the end you were never a burden and now that your gone I feel like a three legged chair.

In 1995, my high school choir director did an Acapella arrangement of this song for us, and dedicated it to his brother who he had recently lost after a long battle. I cry every time.

The Hollies are legend. Add my vote for “The Air That I Breathe” which is a masterpiece. It was written by Albert Hammond, but perfected by the Hollies - monster hit.

Bob Russell wrote the lyrics for this song. It was his last hit as he was dying from lymphoma at the time. He also collaborated with jazz composer Duke Ellington on several songs in the 1940s.

Where the title came from: Back in 1918, a boy named Howard Loomis was abandoned by his mother at Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, which had opened just a year earlier. Howard had polio and wore heavy leg braces. Walking was difficult for him, especially when he had to go up or down steps. Soon, several of the Home’s older boys were carrying Howard up and down the stairs. One day, Father Flanagan asked Reuben Granger, one of those older boys, if carrying Howard was hard. Reuben replied, “He ain’t heavy, Father… he’s m’ brother.”

I don’t say this often, but…this is a classic. Ps…sorry for your loss Alex.

It's an S tier for me personally. That song just spoke to me when it came out and I don't have a brother. But even as a young teen I knew it was about the brotherhood of man, helping each other

What a different world this would be if everyone thought and behaved the way this song taught us. This is definitely a S-tier song.

“The Air That I Breathe” is my favorite by them. It’s a beautiful song. It always sends me into a calm zone when it comes up on my playlist.

"The Air That I Breathe" my wife of 35 years asked me to sing her a song on our honeymoon. This was the only one I knew all the words. She was thrilled! She told me it was her favorite. It is so special to me and many others.

The Osmonds did this in their shows for many years. Their harmonies were impeccable, and many people were reduced to tears because of the emotions this song evokes. A++ song.

I'm in the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles... and every time we get new members, we all sing this to them at the end of their first rehearsal. So many of us (and them) well up each and every time.

That's one of the few songs ever that can be called a tearjerker. It's always given me goosebumps even though I've heard it 100 times. Think about it little more lads, I think you may want to bump your rating up to an S.

Sorry for the loss of your friend, Alex. Hits hard.

As a woman who was in my late teens and early twenties during the Viet Nam War, I never could not associate this with that time. The visual print images and news reels shown at during that time never left me.

The story in this song lyrics goes way back to 1918 and Father Flanagan the founder of Boys Town. Its the story of a boy named Howard Loomis who had polio and heavy braces. It was difficult for Howard to climb stairs, so usually one of the older boys would carry Howard on his back. Reuben Granger was one of those older boys. Father Flanagan one day asked Reuben if carrying Howard was hard, to which Reuben replied, "He ain't heavy Father, he's my brother". That phrase became the motto for Boy's Town. There is a 1938 movie called Boy's Town starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney.

Great song. Air That I Breathe is also beautiful.

The incredible vocals by Allan Clarke combined with the brilliant harmonies elevate this song into the stratosphere. A master class in vocals turned into an absolute masterpiece.

It was said that the line ''He Aint Heavy He's My Brother'' came from a young girl carrying a large baby, who was escaping a war torn city, and was asked by another refugee if the baby was heavy, and she replied, he aint heavy, he's my brother.

A&A, you'll love their "The Air That I Breathe", "Carrie Anne" and "On a Carousel" !!!

As far as I am concerned it's about my brother. Who died about 8 years ago at 57. This song makes me think about him. And still brings tears 😢. I miss him so much.

I tried not to cry. This was out when I was little and stirs so many memories. Please if you see a Vietnam Vet, welcome them home. Us older folks understand why. For all who served at any time, I thank you. You have my love always.

I think of this song as an anthem for my generation. It aptly expresses what we were all about. It is a song that needs to be understood today and always.

This one always brings on the tears.

Alex, it’s interesting @ 1:04 you turned to Andy and said “Brother, life is a struggle, WE’RE working on it.” You much pretty much stated what this song is about. It’s impossible to get through life alone, we must carry each other. Hope my favourite is next, The Air That I Breathe.

The Hollies never had a bad song. To go from this deep thought provoking song to Long Cool Woman just shows their talent.

Alex, you were meant to hear this song at this time in your life, I think that is why it resonated with you so much. Yes a classic song for sure

All time classic! S rating for sure

"The Air That I Breathe" is a masterpiece.

This came out in 1969 at the height of the Vietnam War and had the connotation of the feeling for a brother in arms.

Song never fails to make me teary. One, because it's often used in military tributes for the fallen. And two, because it can represent anyone you love who needs a helping hand. And you don't think, you just do because the bond of love is your driving force.

The Hollies were the masters of beautiful music.

"The Air that I Breathe" should be next. Someone did a video with this song as backup showing soldiers helping wounded soldiers, carrying them. It was amazing.

Great song, great reaction, gentlemen! This is from pop’s “gorgeous harmonica” era. The Chilites’ “Oh Girl” and Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talking” got the same vibe.

Try not to get a little teary-eyed.

Good music often uncovers what is there and makes you feel emotions that you didn’t necessarily know you had inside you. You understand this song and the meaning it has to you. That's what makes it a great song. Music is magic, and it touches you and everyone differently. Andy & Alex are Brothers, more than friends.

Dudes! ''The Air That I Breathe' - the Hollies. Great to see younger people enjoying these tracks. I grew up listening to these bands. Love your videos! 🥰

I predict an "S" from both Andy & Alex. This is among the greatest songs ever written.

One of the most beautiful songs of all time.

Such an inspirational song. The lead vocal and harmonies are top tier. Production is excellent.

Imagine you are at war and your brother in arms falls. He ain't heavy. This is what makes this song powerful. Makes this song great.

After I lost my brother John it took me literally years before I could listen to this song without breaking down. Love and cherish those closest to you while you can.

OMG, first of all, the Hollies were the first pop group I went to see in Dublin, great memory. That song was played at my brothers funeral in 2007, sad memory. So many emotions here, thanks guys☘️🇮🇪

Such a nice song from over 50 yrs. ago. They knew how to write good songs back then.

As many others will say, "The Air I Breathe" is a particularly good one from them. Those high, soaring harmonies allow them to really generate massive emotional impact. Some of their stuff was obviously recorded under some semi-primitive conditions, but the lo-fi nature of them just makes them more powerful. In the wrong hands, overly produced, etc... it could have just become sappy pap.

I lived in Omaha where boys town was established. I went by the statue of the one boy carrying the other with this saying. It meant so much to me.

Check out "The air that I breath". The Hollies are so soulful. I love them, bless 'em.

As a Canadian growing up in the 90s, I will always associate this song with a certain PSA that takes place at a drug rehab center.

To me, it means love for your fellow man.

Have you ever seen the 1938 movie with Spencer Tracy called "Boys Town"? The title line is used very effectively in the film. The figure of a young man with a younger boy on his shoulders is the logo, more or less, for the actual Boys Town.

Thanks, Andy! Thanks, Alex! 💎 Oh, I love this one. Compassion is the only forward. #AndyAndAlex #TheHollies #HeAintHeavyHesMyBrother

The Hollies were one of the greatest bands of all time. Top 10 without a doubt!

I am surprised it took you this long to hit this one. A classic.

It’s so KOOL to see the reaction to this song and the visceral response that you both displayed. We need soooo much love in this world, especially now. ❤

I met the guy that wrote some of these Hollies hits in the 70's with them, his name is Terry Sylvester. He's a Liverpudlian that grew up with the Beatles literally, he lived a block away from Paul McCartney in Speke. Very nice guy and a talented person, good memory.

I'm so sorry you lost a friend, Alex. I had lost so many people by the time I was your age, I got a little bitter. But understanding life better, in general, and also accepting the things you cannot control, made it all worthwhile. Life ain't easy, but if you have love and faith, you'll be alright. ♥♥♥

Definitely not their best-known song, but absolutely one of their best, if not THE best. Glad you guys got to hear it.

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

“Eli’s Coming”, live in 1975 is a great watch.❤️

The Air That I Breathe is a terrific Hollies tune that's well worth a listen.

Hi Andy &Alex great song the Hollies were amazing I was a big fan I’m old enough to remember but another great song was from a group called Marmalade 1969 called Reflections it’s a very powerful meaning song also hope you give it a whirl all the best from UK 🇬🇧

S tier song then and now

A wonderful song - a song of empathy and support - this and Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Trouble Water" (which came out the following year) between them make a magnificent pair of songs about love for your fellow human. The song which sold me on the Hollies is "The Air that I Breathe" - I was held in awe from the first soaring note, and still remember exactly where and when I first heard it. It should be your next Hollies hit!

It is my hope that someday this world of ours can see all of mankind as their brother/brothers, then the world will be a better place... great song from a great group!

Great comments guys....made me reevaluate this song which I've known for years, all over again......made me cry.

What a song! Evokes such emotion. That's Elton John on the piano, by the way.

Great reaction and Great message. Sorry for the loss of your friend. You did the right thing by supporting his family. That's what this song is about ❤

One of my favorites ~ I was 13 when this song came out. The music we grew up with then had a huge influence on me and others ~ we seriously need to have more music like this today ~ ☮❤

I play this song every Feb. on my late brothers B-Day . its how i remember him .

For your next Hollies song, I recommend "The Air That I Breathe", but I also like "On a Carousel" and "Look Through Any Window". These last 2 are somewhat early songs, kind of in the same vein as "Bus Stop", which you've reacted to, though you didn't mention it in this video. "The Air That I breathe" is their last big hit, and is more in the vein of "He Ain't Heavy".

This song always gets me choked up more than 50 years later. Also, how many songs use the word 'encumbered' and it just fits? You should see the video for it. Allan Clarke has such a powerful but beautiful voice.

Great reaction to a great song. Next up for the Hollies "The Air that I Breathe"

the hollies harmonies were off the scale,alan clark what a voice.check out "the air that i breathe" as it's a masterpiece

The Air That I Breathe is the other big lush anthem from The Hollies. I also love the big, early to mid-sixties British Invasion hits: Bus Stop, Carrie Anne, and On A Carousel.

This song and Bridge Over Troubled Water may possibly be the most inspiring and faith promoting songs that come from the secular music industry. It is a prayer, an anthem, a plea and just musically equal to the lyrics. The Hollies delivered a gem that truly exposes the most raw connections we can have as human beings. Beautiful vocals and the harp is an awesome edition. Great pick boys!!! This is A+ without a doubt. Not too many songs out there that have this emotional impact. Truly top 25 song on my all time list.

This song, along with Reflections of My Life just pull at your emotions.

The Air that I Breathe is, in my opinion, the best love song ever.

heard this song many times in the background on the radio but never listened to it closely all the way through. wow. thanks.

Alan Clarke had such a fantastic voice.

The Air that I Breathe…there cannot be a better thing to say about a person…I’m 63, I’ve heard that song hundreds of times and only recently did I realize how breathtaking those lyrics are…pun intended

Nothing makes me feel love for my fellow man like listening to this song