He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother -The Hollies/Neil Diamond (1970) 11/9/21

In his 1884 book "The Parables of Jesus," James Wells told the story of a little girl who was walking along, carrying a big baby boy. Someone asked if she was tired, and the little girl replied, "He's Not Heavy; He's My Brother."

In 1918, Fr. Edward Flanigan encountered a young boy carrying a polio-stricken child up a flight of stairs. When Flanigan asked the youngster if he was tired, the boy gave the same answer--with one small change: "He AIN'T Heavy, He's My Brother."

That little incident stuck with Fr. Flanigan for years, and starting in the 1940s, he used it as the slogan for his Boys Town Children's Home.

In 1969, songwriters Bobby Scott and Bob Russell took that slogan and turned into a song that eventually became a "Great Song of 1970."

Singer Kelly Gordon released it first in '69, but it didn't chart.

Then things started to happen.

Later in the year, The Hollies released THEIR version, and as 1969 crossed into 1970, "He Ain't heavy, He's My Brother" (featuring Allen Clarke on vocals and Elton John on piano) became a Top 10 hit in 10 countries...including #1 in South Africa...and #7 in the US.

Not to be outdone, Neil Diamond released it next, and in late 1970, HIS version reached #3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart.

But wait, there's more!

In 1988, after being used in a commercial for Miller Light, the Hollies version was re-released and went to #1 in the UK.

Also in '88, Bill Medley charted with a version from the film "Rambo III" that reached #49 in the US!

"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother:" A "Great Song of the '70s (and '80s)" that began as a parable in 1884!

The Hollies:

Neil Diamond:

Bill Medley:

Kelly Gordon: