"I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top" is a song by rock group the Hollies, released in April 1970 as a single. It peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart.[1]
| "I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cover of the single released in the Netherlands | ||||
| Single by The Hollies | ||||
| B-side | "Mad Professor Blyth" | |||
| Released | 10 April 1970 | |||
| Recorded | 9–13 March 1970 | |||
| Studio | EMI Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 3:50 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Ron Richards | |||
| The Hollies singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Recording and reception
edit"I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, from 9 to 13 March 1970.[2] Elton John, who was working as a session musician at that time, played piano on the song.[3]
Reviewing for Melody Maker, Chris Welch 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.[4] In Cash Box, 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".[5] Record World called it " a low-key starter which builds and builds."[6]
Charts
edit| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] | 16 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[8] | 44 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9] | 48 |
| Germany (GfK)[10] | 25 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[11] | 8 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[12] | 10 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] | 9 |
| New Zealand (Listener)[14] | 12 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio)[15] | 14 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[1] | 7 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[16] | 82 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[17] | 64 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Hollies: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ Changin' Times: The Complete Hollies January 1969 - March 1973 (booklet). Parlophone. 2015. 0825646336111.
- ^ White, Timothy; Rosen, Craig (4 October 1997). "Elton John, 30 years of music with Bernie Taupin". Billboard. p. 43.
- ^ "New Pop Singles" (PDF). Melody Maker. 18 April 1970. p. 28. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ "Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 9 May 1970. p. 32. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Record World. May 16, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
- ^ "The Hollies – I Can't Tell the Top from the Bottom" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "The Hollies – I Can't Tell the Top from the Bottom" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3817." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "The Hollies – I Can't Tell the Top from the Bottom" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Can't Tell the Top from the Bottom". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Hollies" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "The Hollies – I Can't Tell the Top from the Bottom" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". www.flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
- ^ "SA Charts 1969–March 1989". Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ "The Hollies Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending June 27, 1970". Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
