Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress

"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. Originally appearing on the album Distant Light, it was released as a single on 17 April 1972 (on Parlophone in the United Kingdom),[1] selling 2 million copies worldwide, including 1.5 million in the United States.[3] It reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1972. Billboard ranked it as the No. 24 song for 1972.

"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress"
Cover of the 1972 French single
Single by The Hollies
from the album Distant Light
B-side
  • "Cable Car" (UK)
  • "Look What We've Got" (US)
Released17 April 1972[1]
Recorded16–30 July 1971
AIR Studios, London[2]
GenreSwamp rock
Length3:15
LabelParlophone (UK)
Epic (US)
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Hollies singles chronology
"The Baby"
(1972)
"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress"
(1972)
"Magic Woman Touch"
(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 other 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.[2]

The song was written initially in the country/rockabilly style of Jerry Reed then adapted over recording more to the swamp rock[4][5] style of Creedence Clearwater Revival, in terms of the vocal, rhythm, and melodic style. It came out in the UK on the album 'Distant Light' (Parlophone PAS 10005) in October 1971 having been recorded over 6 April - 30 July 1971 although released the following year on a single in spring of 1972 (the same year Creedence split up). Clarke imitated early Elvis Presley Sun records rockabilly vocal style rather than 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]

However, Fogerty was not impressed. He filed a lawsuit against the Hollies for plagiarising his song "Green River". It was settled out of court with Fogerty receiving half of the proceeds for the song.

Reception

In the Hollies' native United Kingdom, the song was only a modest success for the band, peaking at number 32 on the charts. However, it was a hit in the United States, peaking at number 2 for two weeks behind Gilbert O'Sullivan’s "Alone Again (Naturally)". It was their highest charting single in that country. It also topped the charts in South Africa and peaked at number 2 in New Zealand and Australia. By this time, Clarke had already left the band, but he feels that "it wasn't unfortunate", since he had co-written the song.[2] Clarke rejoined the Hollies in the summer of 1973, partly due to the success of this song.

Track listing

UK version
No.TitleLength
1."Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress"3:15
2."Cable Car"4:25
US version
No.TitleLength
1."Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress"3:15
2."Look What We've Got"4:07

Personnel

Chart performance

References

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  2. The Hollies – Epic Anthology: From the Original Master Tapes, Epic Records EGK 46161, liner notes
  3. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2, illustrated ed.). Barrie & Jenkins. ISBN 0-214-20480-4. Hot Butter Popcorn single sold million copies 1972.
  4. Horowitz, Hal (2014). "The Hollies: 50 At Fifty". American Songwriter. Retrieved 15 June 2015. to swamp rock (“Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)")
  5. Maury Dean (1 January 2003). Rock and Roll: Gold Rush. Algora Publishing. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-87586-227-9.
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