About the Song
Every so often, a band steps outside its usual sound and creates something that feels both unexpected and unforgettable. For The Hollies, best known for their bright harmonies and melodic pop hits during the British Invasion, that moment came in 1972 with “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress).” A gritty, driving track with a rock-and-roll swagger all its own, the song marked a stylistic shift that captured lightning in a bottle—and became one of the band’s most iconic hits.
From the opening riff, there’s a sense that this isn’t your typical Hollies tune. Gone are the polished vocal harmonies and airy production. In their place: a stripped-down, swampy guitar line, pulsing rhythm, and Allan Clarke’s raspy lead vocal that feels more akin to Creedence Clearwater Revival than the British pop charts. And that’s no accident. Clarke, who co-wrote the song with Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, was consciously channeling an American rock sound—complete with a story-driven lyric that reads like a scene from a noir film.
The tale itself is vivid and cinematic: an FBI agent in a speakeasy, a raid, a woman in a black dress who turns every head, and a twist of fate that spares him from danger. It’s a mix of cool-headed narrative and infectious groove that hooks the listener from start to finish. What’s remarkable is how The Hollies, a band rooted in vocal harmony and melodic finesse, leaned into a grittier, more guitar-driven sound—and pulled it off with complete conviction.
“Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)” soared to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming the group’s biggest American success and introducing them to a whole new audience. Yet even decades later, the song hasn’t lost a step. It still sounds as sharp, energetic, and effortlessly cool as it did when it first hit the airwaves.
For those who love storytelling in song, or appreciate the power of a well-placed guitar riff and a smoky vocal delivery, this track is a masterclass in style and atmosphere. It’s not just a standout in The Hollies’ discography—it’s a reminder of how one song, done just right, can break the mold and still feel timeless.