About the song
The Hollies – Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) – 1972
Ah, 1972. Platform shoes were clomping down the streets, bell bottoms swayed with every step, and rock music was morphing into exciting new shapes. Glam rock was strutting onto the scene, singer-songwriters were baring their souls, and progressive rock was taking listeners on epic journeys. Amidst this vibrant tapestry of sound, The Hollies, a band known primarily for their melodic pop-rock hits of the 60s, surprised everyone with a raw, gritty rocker that would become one of their signature songs: “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress).”
This wasn’t the Hollies of “Bus Stop” or “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.” This was a band channeling the swagger of Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Rolling Stones, embracing a swampy, blues-infused sound that felt both familiar and refreshingly new.
The song’s genesis is a fascinating tale in itself. Written by the band’s lead singer Allan Clarke, along with songwriters Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, “Long Cool Woman” was initially relegated to the B-side of another single. However, fate, in the form of an insightful American DJ, intervened. He flipped the record over, and the rest, as they say, is history.
What makes this song so enduring? Firstly, it’s that irresistible riff. From the moment the guitars kick in, you’re hooked. It’s a simple, but oh-so-effective combination of chords that just oozes cool. Then there’s Clarke’s vocal delivery – raspy, soulful, and dripping with attitude. He perfectly embodies the song’s protagonist, captivated by the enigmatic woman in the title.
But “Long Cool Woman” is more than just a catchy tune and a seductive vocal. The lyrics, while simple, paint a vivid picture. A smoky bar, a captivating woman, and a sense of longing and desire hang in the air. It’s a snapshot of a moment, a fleeting encounter that leaves a lasting impression.
The song’s impact was undeniable. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, introducing The Hollies to a new generation of fans and cementing their legacy as one of the most versatile and enduring bands of the British Invasion era. Even today, “Long Cool Woman” remains a staple of classic rock radio, its infectious energy and timeless appeal as potent as ever.
So, crank up the volume, tap your feet, and let the raw power of The Hollies transport you back to a time when rock and roll was young, wild, and full of possibilities.
Video
Lyrics
Saturday night I was downtown
Working for the FBI
Sitting in a nest of bad men
Whiskey bottles piling high
Bootlegging boozer on the west side
Full of people who are doing wrong
Just about to call up the D.A. man
When I heard this woman singing a song
A pair of forty fives made me open my eyes
My temperature started to rise
She was a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5’9″ beautiful ‘n’ tall
Just one look I was a bad mess
‘Cause that long cool woman had it all
I saw her heading to the table
Well, a tall walking big black cat
Charlie said, I hope that you’re able, boy
‘Cause I’m telling you she knows where it’s at
Well, suddenly we hear the sirens
And everybody started to run
Jumping under doors and tables
Well, I heard somebody shooting a gun
Well, the D.A. was pumping my left hand
She was holding my right
Well, I told her, don’t get scared
‘Cause you’re gonna be spared
I’ve gotta be forgiven if I wanna spend my living
With a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5’9″ beautiful ‘n’ tall
Well with just one look I was a bad mess
‘Cause that long cool woman had it all
Had it all, had it all, had it all
Had it all, had it all, had it all (she had it all)
