Hi, Folks -

From 1972, here are The Hollies with "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress", which as a single went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It first appeared on the group's 1971 "Distant Light" album. Wikipedia says:

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 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 in the style of Creedence Clearwater Revival, in terms of the vocal, rhythm, and melodic style. It came out in the summer of 1972, that same time when Creedence split up. 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". When the song made its mark in America, Clarke had already left the band; but Clarke feels that "it wasn't unfortunate", since he had written the song.[2] Clarke rejoined the Hollies in the summer of 1973, partly due to the success of this song.

Thanks to YouTuber GreatOldiesDJ who also supplied the lyrics which are below the clip.

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https://youtu.be/IyNvFoFWu4A

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Saturday night I was downtown
Working for the FBI

Sitting in a nest of bad men
Whisky bottles piling high

Bootlegging 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 singing a song

A 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
'cos that long cool woman had it all

I saw her headin' to the table
Well a tall walking big black cat
When charlie said I hope that you're able boy
Well I'm telling you she knows where it's at
Well suddenly we heard the sirens
And everybody started to run
A jumping out of doors and tables
Well I heard somebody shooting a gun

Well the DA was pumping my left hand
And then she was a-holding my right
Well I told her don't get scared
'cos you're gonna be spared
Well I've gotta be forgiven
If I wanna spend my living
With a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5'9 beautiful tall
Well, with just one look I was a bad mess
'cos that long cool woman had it all

Had it all

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--hobie