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The Hollies – Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress

Eric Haydock death: The Hollies bassist and founder member dies aged 75 | The Independent | The Independent

About the Song

“Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” is a song by the English rock band The Hollies, released in 1972 as the lead single from their album Distant Light. It is a mid-tempo ballad with a catchy melody and a romantic theme. The song was a commercial success, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The song is about a man who is captivated by a beautiful woman he sees in a black dress. He is immediately drawn to her and is unable to take his eyes off of her. The song is full of imagery and emotion, and it captures the feeling of being infatuated with someone.

The song was written by Tony Hicks and Bernie Calvert, and it was produced by Mick Mickwood. The Hollies recorded the song at Abbey Road Studios in London. The song features Allan Clarke on lead vocals, Eric Haydock and Graham Nash on backing vocals, Tony Hicks on lead guitar, Bernie Calvert on bass guitar, and Bobby Elliott on drums.

“Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” is one of the most popular songs by The Hollies, and it is still played on radio stations today. It is a classic rock song that has been covered by many other artists, including Cher, Rod Stewart, and Elvis Presley.

BBC Radio 2 - Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn - The Hollies And Their Hit Songwriters

Now, let’s take a journey back in time and explore the song itself. You can watch the official video on YouTube and enjoy the lyrics below.

Video 

Lyrics: Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress

Saturday night I was downtown
Working for the FBI
Sittin’ in a nest of bad men
Whiskey bottles piling highBootlegging 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 songA 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 handAnd 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

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In his twilight years, Elvis Presley found himself trapped in a heartbreaking paradox. While roaring crowds would leap to their feet the second he stepped on stage, the moment the show ended, he retreated to a physical shell that was quietly failing him. Chronic exhaustion, deep-seated health struggles, insomnia, and an overreliance on prescription drugs had woven a web of declining well-being. The titan the world viewed as larger than life was revealing an intensely vulnerable, fragile humanity.

While other vocalists boasted flawless technique or the ability to hit breathtaking high notes, Elvis Presley was gifted with an uncoachable magic. His voice possessed a chameleon-like quality, shifting its character in a heartbeat. It could ooze mischief and menace one second, melt into tender vulnerability the next, and then swell with enough force to command a massive stadium. You didn’t even need to catch a glimpse of him to recognize that unmistakable sound.

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