"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is a ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell.

Although Russell was dying of lymphoma and the pair met only three times, they managed to collaborate on the song.

In his 1884 book The Parables of Jesus, James Wells, Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland, tells the story of a little girl carrying a big baby boy.

[8] Elton John, who was working as a session musician at the time, played piano on the song,[9] as well their next single, "I Can't Tell the Bottom from the Top".

[12] Record World said, "This beautiful ballad features [the Hollies'] usual fine vocals.

The song appears on Diamond's album Tap Root Manuscript, which was released in November 1970.

CD-maxi In 2012, a version of the song was recorded, and was released on December 17, 2012, by musicians and celebrities going under the name the Justice Collective, for various charities associated with the Hillsborough disaster.

[46] After the News International phone hacking scandal, members of the Farm along with Pete Wylie, and Mick Jones of the Clash performed at an anti-The Sun concert at the Liverpool Olympia in September 2011.

Inspired by Everton's Hillsborough tribute on September 17, 2012, the song was played at Goodison Park prior to their match against Newcastle United.

It was then decided that a re-recording of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by various artists including the Justice Tonight Band would be released as the charity single.

On October 25, 2012, Steve Rotheram, Guy Chambers and Kenny Dalglish announced plans of the single to be recorded by various artists such as Robbie Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Paloma Faith, Beverley Knight, Melanie C, Holly Johnson, Mick Jones, Glen Campbell, Peter Hooton, Chris Sharrock, Glenn Tilbrook, Ren Harvieu, Dave McCabe, Paul Heaton, Hollie Cook, Jon McClure, John Power, Gerry Marsden, and two original members of the Hollies, Bobby Elliott and Tony Hicks.