"I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top" is a song by rock group

the Hollies The Hollies are a British pop rock band, formed in 1962. One of the leading British groups of the 1960s and into the mid-1970s, they are known for their distinctive three-part vocal harmony style. Allan Clarke (singer), Allan Clarke and Graham ...

, released in April 1970 as a single. It peaked at number 7 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

Recording and reception

"I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top" was recorded at

Abbey Road Studios Abbey Road Studios (formerly EMI Recording Studios) is a recording studio at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music c ...

, from 9 to 13 March 1970.

Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, pianist and composer. Commonly nicknamed the "Rocket Man" after his 1972 hit single of the same name, John has led a commercially successful career a ...

, who was working as a session musician at that time, played piano on the song. Reviewing for ''

Melody Maker ''Melody Maker'' was a British weekly music magazine, one of the world's earliest music weeklies; according to its publisher, IPC Media, the earliest. It was founded in 1926, largely as a magazine for dance band musicians, by Leicester-born ...

'',

Chris Welch Chris Welch (born 12 November 1941) is an English music journalist, critic, and author who is best known for his work from the late 1960s as a reporter for ''Melody Maker'', ''Musicians Only'', and ''Kerrang!''. He is the author of over 40 mu ...

wrote that "the Hollies drone on with implacable solemnity and it's nice to hear their individual vocal harmonies again and Bobby Elliot's drumming. In ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'', it was described as a "slowly building ballad with more of the drama of “

Reflections of My Life "Reflections of My Life" was a 1969/1970 hit single for the Scottish band, Marmalade (band), Marmalade. It was written by their lead guitarist Junior Campbell, and singer Dean Ford (born Thomas McAleese). Released in late 1969, it was the band's ...

” than the Hollies' “ He Ain't Heavy,” this new side from the team features the same kind of emotional impact that guarantees satisfaction for old and new-found Hollies followers".

Charts

References

{{authority control 1970 singles 1970 songs The Hollies songs Parlophone singles Epic Records singles