The Hollies – Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress

About The Song

It reached #1 in US Cash Box Top 100, #1 in Canada Top Singles, and #1 in South Africa, as well as #2 in US Billboard Hot 100. “Long Cool Woman” is unique among the Hollies’ songs in that it features lead guitar and lead vocal work by Allan Clarke and has no three-part vocal harmonies. The song was produced by the group as their producer, Ron Richards, was ill on the day of recording. The song was initially written in the country/rockabilly style of Jerry Reed but was adapted to the swamp rock style of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Allan Clarke imitated John Fogerty’s vocal style, which was based on the Creedence song “Green River.” However, Fogerty filed a lawsuit against the Hollies for plagiarism, and the lawsuit was settled out of court with Fogerty receiving half of the proceeds for the song. The Hollies are an English rock band formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, known for their catchy pop-rock tunes and three-part vocal harmonies.

Video

Lyrics

Saturday night I was downtown
Working for the FBI
Sittin’ 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 DA man
When I heard this woman sing a song

A pair of 45’s 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, tall
With just one look I was a bad mess
‘Cause that long cool woman had it all

[Instrumental Interlude]

I saw her heading to the table
Like a tall walking big black cat
When Charlie said I hope that you’re able boy
‘Cause I’m telling you she knows where it’s at
Then suddenly we heard the sirens
And everybody started to run
A-jumping out of doors and tables
When I heard somebody shootin’ a gun
Well the DA was pumping my left hand

And a-she was a-holding my right
Well I told her don’t get scared
‘Cause you’re gonna be spared
I’ve gotta be forgivin’ if I wanna spend my living
With a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5’9 beautiful tall
Yeah, with just one look I was a bad mess
‘Cause that long cool woman had it all
Had it all
Had it all