Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress

"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress"
Single by The Hollies
from the album Distant Light
B-side	"Cable Car"
Released	April 1972
Format	7" 45 RPM
Recorded	16, 27-30 July 1971 at AIR Studios, London, England
Genre	Rock
Length	3:02
Label	Parlophone
Writer(s)	Allan Clarke, Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway
Producer	The Hollies, Ron Richards
Certification	Platinum (RIAA)
The Hollies singles chronology
"The Baby" (1972) "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (1972) "Magic Woman Touch" (1972)

"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (also called "Long Cool Woman" or "Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)") is a song written by Allan Clarke, Roger Cook, and Roger Greenaway and performed by the British pop group The Hollies. Originally appearing on the album Distant Light, it was released as a single in April 1972 (Parlophone, United Kingdom), selling 1.5 million copies in the U.S. and 2 million worldwide.

Single track listings

Track listing	Location	Format	Record Label	Release Date
"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" b/w "Cable Car"	United Kingdom	7" 45 RPM	Parlophone R5939	April 1972
"Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)" b/w "Look What We've Got"	United States		Epic 5-10871	17 May 1972

Background and recording

On the day "Long Cool Woman" was recorded at AIR Studios, the group's producer, Ron Richards, was ill and, as a result, the song was produced by the group. The song is different from most Hollies' songs in that there are no three-part vocal harmonies, and the song features lead guitar and lead vocal work by Allan Clarke. Upon his return, Ron Richards mixed the recording.

According to Clarke, the song was written "in about five minutes". When the song made its mark in America, Clarke had already left the band; but Clarke feels that "it wasn't unfortunate", since he had written the song.

Chart performance

Chart (1972)	Peak position
UK (UK Singles Chart)	32
Canada (RPM100 Singles)	1
Netherlands (Gfk Top 100 Singles)	21
US Billboard Hot 100	2
US Cash Box Top Singles	1

Cover versions

• Phantom, Rocker & Slick released their version on their 1986 album Cover Girl.

• Country music singer Clint Black released his version of the song to country radio on 19 February 2008, under the title "Long Cool Woman". Black's version charted on the Hot Country Songs chart at #58.

• Another country music singer, T. G. Sheppard covered the song on his 1997 album Nothin' On but the Radio.

• Heavy metal rocker Vince Neil released a heavier version of Long Cool Woman, along with other covers and original material, on his third studio album, Tattoos & Tequila on 22 June 2010.

• A cappella group Rockapella released a version on their 1995 album Primer.

Preceded by "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass	RPM Top 100 number one single 16 September-23 September 1972	Succeeded by "Black and White" by Three Dog Night
Preceded by "I'm Still in Love with You" by Al Green	Cash Box Top 100 singles 16 September 1972	Succeeded by "Back Stabbers" by The O'Jays