Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
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| "Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)" | ||||
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| Single by The Hollies | ||||
| from the album Distant Light | ||||
| B-side | UK: "Cable Car" US: "Look What We've Got" |
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| Released | UK: February 1 1972 US: May 1972 |
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| Format | 7" single | |||
| Label | UK: Parlophone R5939 US: Epic 10871 |
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| Writer(s) | Allan Clarke, Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway | |||
| The Hollies singles chronology | ||||
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"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" is a song by the rock and roll group The Hollies. It was released on February 1, 1972, as a single on the Parlophone Records label.
The song's first-person lyrics tell a story of an FBI agent (the narrator) who is scouting a speakeasy in advance of a raid on a Saturday Night. Prior to the police's arrival, the narrator meets the "long cool woman" of the title, a singer at the bar described as "5'9", beautiful, tall", and immediately falls in love with her. The raid results in a shootout during which he protects her while hiding. The narrator is given congratulations by the District Attorney ("the DA man") and, presumably, a relationship with the woman when he gets legal immunity for her ("Well I'm gonna be forgiven if I wanna spend my livin'...").
It was released soon after Allan Clarke, who was featured on both rhythm guitar and lead vocal, had left the group. It appears on their album Distant Light (1971). As the group had just left EMI/Parlophone and signed with Polydor, they did not promote the song. However, it became a No. 2 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and No. 1 on Cash Box in the United States, their most successful single there, it was also No. 1 in Canada. It was inspired by, and in the style of, the rock and roll group Creedence Clearwater Revival, especially their song Green River. On being reactivated by EMI in Britain a few months later, it reached No. 32 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song is notable in that it features Clarke playing rhythm guitar, something he rarely did. Clarke came up with the signature guitar rhythm that opens the song. In the light of the song's success, Clarke rethought his solo career and rejoined the group in 1972.
[edit] Cover versions
- A cover version was released in 1984 by the country music band Atlanta on their 1984 debut album Pictures.
- Country music singer Clint Black released his version of the song to country radio on February 19, 2008, under the title "Long Cool Woman". Black's version debuted on the Hot Country Songs chart at #58.
| Preceded by "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass |
RPM Top 100 number one single September 16-September 23, 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 September 16, 1972 |
Succeeded by "Back Stabbers" by The O'Jays |
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