Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" by The Hollies from their 1971 album Distant Light. This track, a swampy, rockabilly banger, was penned by Allan Clarke and Roger Cook, with Roger Greenaway credited due to a songwriting pact. Cook shared in a 2018 Tennessean interview that he aimed to capture the Prohibition-era speakeasy scene, crafting a film noir narrative about an FBI agent falling for a mysterious woman amidst a nest of bad men. Clarke, in a 2023 BBC Radio 2 chat with Johnnie Walker, revealed the song was written in under 10 minutes, with its iconic guitar riff born on Cook’s piano—wild, right? The tune’s Creedence Clearwater Revival vibe, especially its nod to "Green River," led John Fogerty to sue for plagiarism, but the case was tossed since the melody differed, though Fogerty settled for half the royalties, as noted on Reddit fan threads.

Here’s a juicy tidbit: this is the only Hollies single without their signature backing harmonies, as Clarke intended it for a solo project. The band gave him an ultimatum—stay with The Hollies or go solo. He stuck around, but by the time the song hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, selling 2 million copies worldwide, Clarke had briefly split, only to return in ’73, partly due to the song’s success. Fans on The Hollies’ Facebook love pointing out a lyrical flub: Clarke meant “windows” but sang “tables” in the line about jumping out of doors, a mistake left in as the lyrics were already murky with that slapback echo, per a local radio interview in Northampton, England. The song’s raw energy, with Clarke also shredding the lead guitar, as shared by X user @fredforthemets, makes it a karaoke fave for Zoo Freaks, with one Reddit user recounting snatching a mic mid-gardening gig to belt it out!

The Hollies kicked off in Manchester, England, in 1962, born from the Merseybeat scene with Allan Clarke and Graham Nash at the helm. Their tight three-part harmonies, rivaling The Beach Boys, defined their early pop sound. Clarke and Nash, joined by Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, and others, honed their craft in local clubs, cutting their teeth on covers before churning out originals like “Just One Look” in 1964. Despite a squeaky-clean image, they rode the British Invasion wave, though U.S. success lagged until “Bus Stop” in 1966. Nash’s exit in ’68 to form Crosby, Stills & Nash shook things up, but Hicks and Elliott, still rocking today, kept the band rolling. Their resilience shone through hits like “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” and “The Air That I Breathe,” cementing their legacy, as detailed on their Wikipedia page.

Stay connected with The Hollies at their official website, where you can catch tour dates and merch. Follow their groove on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback pics. Zoo Freaks can also join fan communities like the Hollies Fan Group on Facebook or dive into fan sites like HolliesFan.com for deep cuts and rare photos. Keep it cool, Zoo Crew, and let’s keep those records spinning!