Long Cool in a Black Dress
The Hollies Lyrics


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Saturday night I was downtown
Working for the FBI
Sitting in a nest of bad men
Whiskey bottles piling high

Bootlegging boozer on the west side
Full of people who are doing wrong
Just about to call up the D.A. man
When I heard this woman singing a song

A pair of forty fives 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 'n' tall
Just one look I was a bad mess
'Cause that long cool woman had it all

I saw her heading to the table
Well, a tall walking big black cat
Charlie said, I hope that you're able, boy
'Cause I'm telling you she knows where it's at

Well, suddenly we hear the sirens
And everybody started to run
Jumping under doors and tables
Well, I heard somebody shooting a gun

Well, the D.A. was pumping my left hand
She was holding my right
Well, I told her, don't get scared
'Cause you're gonna be spared
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 'n' tall
Well with just one look I was a bad mess
'Cause that long cool woman had it all




Had it all, had it all, had it all
Had it all, had it all, had it all (she had it all)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Hollies' song "Long Cool Woman" tells the story of the singer, who is working for the FBI, infiltrating a group of bootleggers and shady characters in the downtown area. As the night goes on, he's about to call in backup when he hears a beautiful woman singing. He turns around to see a tall, statuesque woman in a black dress, and is immediately smitten. The woman is confident and powerful, exuding an aura of mystery and danger. Just as things are starting to heat up, the group is interrupted by the sound of police sirens, and this mysterious woman disappears into the night.


The song is a classic rock staple, and its catchy melody and accessible lyrics have made it a favorite of music fans for decades. It's easy to see why - there's something about the story of the charming, dangerous dame and the hapless hero that has timeless appeal. The Hollies do a great job of capturing the excitement and energy of the chase, as well as the disappointment of losing something that you've just discovered. At the heart of the song is a longing for adventure and passion that most of us can identify with.


Line by Line Meaning

Saturday night I was downtown
It was a Saturday night and I was in the city center


Working for the FBI
I was undercover for the FBI


Sitting in a nest of bad men
I was surrounded by dangerous people


Whiskey bottles piling high
There were a lot of empty whiskey bottles around me


Bootlegging boozer on the west side
There was an illegal alcohol seller on the west side of town


Full of people who are doing wrong
Many people were there doing illegal things


Just about to call up the D.A. man
I was about to call the District Attorney


When I heard this woman singing a song
Then I heard a woman singing


A pair of forty fives made me open my eyes
When I saw two guns, I became alert


My temperature started to rise
I became nervous and afraid


She was a long cool woman in a black dress
The woman singing was tall, beautiful, and wearing a black dress


Just a 5'9" beautiful 'n' tall
She was exactly 5 feet and 9 inches, and was really beautiful and tall


Just one look I was a bad mess
Just a glance at her made me lose my composure and confidence


'Cause that long cool woman had it all
She had some kind of power or quality that made her attractive


I saw her heading to the table
I saw her walking toward a table


Well, a tall walking big black cat
She walked confidently and elegantly like a big black cat


Charlie said, I hope that you're able, boy
Charlie, a friend of mine, said he hoped I was good enough for her


'Cause I'm telling you she knows where it's at
He warned me that she knew what she wanted and was not easily fooled


Well, suddenly we hear the sirens
We suddenly heard police sirens


And everybody started to run
Everyone began to flee


Jumping under doors and tables
People were hiding under furniture


Well, I heard somebody shooting a gun
I heard gunshots


Well, the D.A. was pumping my left hand
The District Attorney was squeezing my left hand tightly


She was holding my right
The woman was holding my right hand


Well, I told her, don't get scared
I reassured her not to be afraid


'Cause you're gonna be spared
I promised to keep her safe


I've gotta be forgiven if I wanna spend my living
I felt that I needed to be forgiven for my actions in order to enjoy my life


Had it all, had it all, had it all
She had something special that caught everyone's attention


Had it all, had it all, had it all (she had it all)
She had that special something that made her stand out




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alan Clarke, Roger Frederick Cook, Roger John Reginald Greenaway

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@WhatIsTheDill

I played this song for a few friends. None of them liked it. Clearly I need new friends.

@ronaldreagan850

Dill I've seen your videos, they are great. (You have a good taste in music).

@johnshuler8688

CLEARLY!!!

@bomanone0905

Crystal clear. Find some rocking friends. They are everywhere!!!!!!!

@gedjad

no it's an age thing. from 1972. good old song!

@nadinejackson6187

No one needs that kind of negativity....

535 More Replies...

@Deeharris3634

This song will never get old too me.
Who's with me on that..
✌️😎

@dexterdogg

ME!!!

@mariannemaloneywitherspoon6335

Me too! Knew a guy that worke for the FBI and he loved this song. YES, TRUE STORY. 😊! 1:54

@Typpyng

Forever

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