"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (also titled "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
rock group
the Hollies. In an interview with
Johnnie Walker on
BBC Radio 2 on Sounds of the 70s in April 2023, Clarke said it had been written by himself and Cook. Cook had a long-standing agreement with Greenaway that any songs written by one of them should be credited to both.
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. "Long Cool Woman" is different from most other Hollies songs in that there are no
three-part vocal harmonies. Allan Clarke's lead vocal is the only voice prominently heard. It also features lead guitar by Clarke. Upon his return, Richards
mixed the recording.[2]
The lyrics set a scene similar to a
film noir crime-drama. The singer, who is an
FBI agent, is in a
speakeasy filled with criminals. He falls for an attractive 5 foot 9" woman in a black dress and helps rescue her when gun shots ring out.[4]
The song was written initially in the country/rockabilly style of
Jerry Reed[citation needed] then adapted over recording more to the
swamp rock[5][6] style of
Creedence Clearwater Revival, in terms of the vocal, rhythm, and melodic style. Clarke imitated
John Fogerty's vocal style, which was based on the Creedence song "
Green River". According to Clarke, the song was written "in about five minutes".[2]
Reception
U.S. music-business magazine Cash Box said of the song: "rockin' in the tradition of
Creedence and
T Rex,
the Hollies at their most commercial since '
He Ain't Heavy.'"[7]
In the Hollies' native United Kingdom, the song was only a modest success, peaking at number 32 on the charts. However, it was a much bigger hit in the United States, peaking at number 2 for two weeks, making it the group's highest-charting single ever in the U.S. It topped the charts in South Africa, and also reached number 2 in Australia and New Zealand. By that time Clarke had left the band, but he feels that "it wasn't unfortunate", for he had co-written the song.[2] Clarke rejoined the Hollies in the summer of 1973, partly due to the success of the song.
"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" was the first song played by the band
Phish. They also played the song at their 15th and 20th anniversary concerts.[22]
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.[32]
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.[33]