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

the Hollies The Hollies are an English rock and pop band formed in Manchester 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. Singer Allan Clarke and ...

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

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 music recording studio at 3 Abbey Road, London, Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of ...

, from 9 to 13 March 1970.

Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting impact on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with l ...

, 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. In January 2001, it was merged into "long-standing rival" (and IPC Media sister publicatio ...

'',

Chris Welch Chris Welch (born ) 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 music books. Earl ...

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'', is 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” 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". ''

Record World ''Record World'' magazine was one of three major weekly music industry trade magazines in the United States, with ''Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 as ''Music Vendor''. In 1964, it was changed to ''Record World'' under the ...

'' called it " a low-key starter which builds and builds."

Charts

References

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