He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother as the Hollies' version in 1988. In 2012, a version of the song was recorded, and was released on 17 December 2012, by musicians and celebrities going under the name The Justice Collective, for various charities associated with the Hillsborough disaster. The song went on to take the coveted Christmas number one position for 2012 on the UK Singles Chart, beating "The X Factor" winner James Arthur, who was number one the previous week. 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"
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother album, went to No. 20 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart in late 1970. The Osmonds covered the song on their 1970 album, "Osmonds", as well as on the B-side of their chart-topper "One Bad Apple". The song is a staple at their concerts. Olivia Newton-John included the song on her 1975 album "Clearly Love", and it was released as the B-side of the single "Let It Shine" in January 1976. The single went to number one on the US Easy Listening (adult contemporary) chart and number thirty on the "Billboard" Hot 100. The Neil Diamond version entered at #68