How a Soft "BALLADS" Band Created One of the MOST BadA$$ Rock Songs EVER! | Professor of Rock

Coming up next... Tipsy from some serious ‘day-drinking,’ two members of one of England’s premier bands, The Hollies, composed a song about the Prohibition Era when alcohol was illegal. Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress was a rock epic that evolved into a mystery about a beautiful woman in a sexy dress. The Hollies purposely mimicked Elvis’s sound on the song using a vocal effect to give it some pop. It became the band’s biggest hit in the States, as well as one of the most played songs in classic rock radio history. But then The Hollies got sued for plagiarizing the song. But they didn’t get sued by ELVIS who they were deliberately trying to sound like… They got sued by a rival band Creedence Clearwater Revival. Then they found out that the song was used by the FBI on their two-way wrist radio to solve crimes. Find out what happened to the band next on Professor of Rock.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer
Brandon Fugal
Honorary Producers
Jude, Jase Bosarge, Chad Sites, Tim Muñoz, John Shoemaker
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out my Hand Picked Selection Below
Professor's Store
- Van Halen OU812 Vinyl Album amzn.to/3tLsII2
- The 80s Collection amzn.to/3mAekOq
- 100 Best Selling Albums amzn.to/3h3qZX9
- Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movie amzn.to/3ifjdKQ
- 80s to 90s VHS Video Cover Art amzn.to/2QXzmIX
- Totally Awesome 80s A Lexicon amzn.to/3h4ilrk
- Best In Ear Headphones (I Use These Every Day) amzn.to/2ZcTlIl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out The Professor of Rock Merch Store -bit.ly/Professo...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out Patron Benefits
bit.ly/Professo...
Help out the Channel by purchasing your albums through our links! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, thank you for your support.
Click here for Premium Content: bit.ly/SignUpF...
bit.ly/Faceboo...
bit.ly/Instagr...
#classicrock #70smusic #vinylstory #thehollies
Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you’ve wondered what certain lyrics mean in a random song you hear on the radio, This is your place. Nostalgia all the time. Make sure to subscribe below right now by clicking the red button and click the bell so you never miss out. I’m excited about this one!
One morning, in June, 1971, The Hollies front man, Allan Clarke, met with the writing team of Roger Cook & Roger Greenaway at Cook’s office on Park Street in London to start a writing session.
Cook & Greenway didn’t just write songs, they composed huge hits, such as the International sing-a-long anthem “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” that was a Top 10 record for two acts- The Hillside Singers, and the New Seekers, as well as being used as the theme song for an iconic media campaign by the Coca Cola Company in the 70s:
Although it had been a very fertile room for them to collaborate, on that day, the inspiration wasn’t flowing in Cook’s office, so the guys decided to break away in the middle of the day to get some lunch, and have a few drinks at a nearby pub. After downing a bottle of wine, and capping their lunch with a little brandy, the guys grabbed the half-empty bottle of Brandy, and left the pub, returning to Cook’s office to resume their writing session.
The boys may have been ‘under the influence', but the alcohol didn’t impair their songwriting. Actually…the liquor, inadvertently, provided a ‘creative buzz,’ so to speak, that inspired the theme of a new song. In their ’tipsy’ state, they decided it would be fun to write a tune about bootleggers being chased by F.B.I. agents- in the backdrop of Prohibition Era New York City. "Saturday night I was downtown working for the FBI sitting in a nest of bad men."
Clarke & Cook LOVED old Hollywood gangster films, like those James Cagney movies of the 30s and 40s- with the bad guys shooting it out with the cops, smashing beer barrels and whiskey bottles in the street. They had the theme of the song, so the next move was coming up with a melody to continue to build the song’s structure. Cook took his place at an upright piano, with Clarke sitting in a chair next to the piano with his guitar in his lap.
Cook fooled around with a couple of sequences, and then locked into a sinister-sounding blues riff- one that he said he couldn’t take credit for. It was just some old-blued rock riff that was milling about in his head.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the COOLEST ROCK SONG EVER.... One you have to TURN UP TO 11 every time it comes on?

[@peterd.9978]

Roadhouse Blues!

[@TerrickTerran]

Bad to the Bone wins again. Surfing USA and Thriller for honorable mentions.

[@christineml1476]

"Feel Like A Number" Bob Seger

[@karmab4391]

Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen Heavy Metal - Sammy Hagar

[@Sweet--Richard.4981]

In a gaada davida

[@PrideofIpplepen]

My wife succumbed to cancer 10 years ago - when she was alive I had “Long Cool Woman” as her ringtone - every time I hear that song I think of her.

[@starla.]

I’m so sorry for your loss. What a great memory, though. I love that music can do that for us.

[@timothyapwisch7652]

I'm so sorry, brother. Hugs! ❤

[@scottboettcher]

My mom passed in 2020, when I was a teenager, she loved that song - I bought her the 45 and she played it all the time...always think of her when I hear it. I love it too, but it's a nice bonus memory...I get what you're saying!

[@retromarine7701]

I'm sorry to hear about your wife. I lost mine to cancer 3 years ago. Stay strong, and God bless.

[@greenbeagle13]

I'm so sorry. I lost "my person" in 2019 unexpectedly and it still hurts. Sorry for your loss, my friend.... 😢

[@michaeltelson9798]

“He’s not heavy, he’s my brother” has a special place in my life. When I was about 8 years old, Three of us were out where a fire had been burning in the Meadowlands. I warned my best friend that the fire had gone underground. He didn’t listen to me and his feet got scorched. This was at the time that song was popular. My best friend climbed onto my back and I carried him to his home about a mile away. He reminded me of the story about a year ago. But “he wasn’t heavy he was my brother”, we lost contact at times as life does with each of us. He left us recently and I do miss my “brother”.

[@lockedin60]

Sorry for your loss!

[@verahow3561]

B​@@lockedin60

[@Mewvision]

A couple of guys, brothers, who went through school with myself and my brother. They had an older brother who worked as a nurse in a mental institution. It was a rule of the job that you wore nothing valuable or potentially dangerous. So Russell rode his bike to work everyday. One morning around the time this song was released, a guy was reversing out of his driveway just as Russell reached the driveway. It took all day for him to be ID’d as he was carrying nothing of value so nothing to identify him. The two brothers l was closer to always got a bit emotional when the Hollies hit “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother came on the radio.

[@markkinder6275]

I don't think The Hollies where ever really given as much credit as they deserved! Such a diverse range of songs, and a long career. One of the best bands ever!!!!

[@jabbermocky4520]

"Bus Stop" is a vey sophisticated melody. It's "poppy" but also kind of Baroque. I could hear it played on a harpsichord and it would work.

[@Upemm]

Agreed

[@yappy-daze9]

I agree bus stop is a good one xx

[@jabbermocky4520]

@@yappy-daze9 There is a KZbin channel where a fabulous classical musician plays pop tunes on an acoustic 'mega-lute". That's not what it's called , really, but it's a BIG lute. lol. He does a version of Bus Stop pretty good.

[@yappy-daze9]

@jabbermocky4520 thanks a lot x

[@christineml1476]

The "Long Cool Woman" guitar intro is absolutely perfect, as is the rest of the song. One of my favorite songs ever, it's timeless.

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's got a great intro!

[@rmelin13231]

I agree completely. It has to be one of the most recognizable intros in the history of rock. I've seen concerts with Allan Clarke playing the intro, and I've seen concerts with Tony Hicks playing it. I've often wondered who played it on the recording. I consider Tony Hicks among the top 5 guitarists of the rock era, just my opinion.

[@tml721]

I always loved it but till the net came along so I could look up the words, I never could understand what it was about !! lol

[@markmiwurdz2248]

@rmelin13231. During the recording sessions, Tony Hicks couldn’t get that guitar intro’ right after numerous attempts and takes. So Allan Clarke had a go and nailed it. I believe it’s Allan’s take that was used on the final mix. Stay safe and well.

[@TheDopekitty]

This is one that I never skip when it pops up in my rotation.

[@grannysmiles]

Once upon a time, on a dance floor...far, far away...a tiny 5 foot 2 inch chick, in 6 inch stilettos and a black dress, burnt up the dance floor to this tune. She had danced to this song, alone in her bedroom since she was a teenager. She was more than ready to finally whirl to a live band and audience. For over 3 minutes, she was a teenager again. Thank you for covering this tune. Brought back memories of spinning this 45 over and over and over on one of those suitecase turntables. On a mission to decipher the elusive lyrics...notebook on the floor and a pencil with an eraser in hand. Mission failed. So, she took to her toes. And relived that joy 14 years later when the live band applauded her and she was finally tall for the first time in her life.

[@L.Spencer]

Somewhere tonight...

[@jackgilchrist]

Good for you, hon. Wish I could have seen it. You have my undying admiration just for being able to dance in 6" stilettos. Shorter guys cheated with platform shoes. Lol Hopefully you weren't carrying a pair of 45s, that would have been dangerous. 😉

[@leward7788]

cool story. i also spent a great deal of time listening ad nauseam to get the lyrics down pat. 50 years later I still remember them all

[@vc7137]

Poetic

[@diembepoet]

I love your story! 5'3" here, and I know that dancing can elevate anyone to reach the heights❤

[@davidurban3357]

I am ashamed to say I have heard this song countless times, 50 years, and had no idea what the song was about. The Professor does it again, makes the old new again with a great story of a classic hit. Thanks man!

[@twilightroach4274]

Me too

[@drummerneedsaband3311]

Same hear. Love the song. Could never understand what he was saying. My kids were listening to one day and I said "you guys know this song.? They loved it.

[@jimmybryan6760]

It came up with a guy at work a couple years ago and I had to look up the lyrics. Before that I had no idea. Clarke's diction is pretty twisted

[@CManinLa]

Same here. Loved the song but could never understand the words. Luckily now days you can find lyrics on the internet. One of the BEST songs of all time.

[@Morgaine]

I didn't know it was about a speakeasy. I just thought it was a spy checking out a hot lady. That line "you're going to be spared" were completely unintelligible to me.

[@keithosterberg]

I never understood 80 percent of the lyrics of this song, not that it mattered. That song was all about groove.

[@pugil1st]

Same here, hee hee! Some of the most misheard lyrics ever--but what a song!

[@Russeaman]

It was a great riff to go along with a perfect song. So it really didn't matter what he was saying. It is still a fun song .

[@user-xp9ce1vw5p]

Next to half the Zeppelin catalogue, this is the song I couldn't decipher the most lol!

[@edwardboe7290]

And thanks to the Professor of Rock I now know what the lyrics actually say, 50 some years later.

[@SherrysSheShedSewing]

It took me 30 yrs to get the lyrics right! 😅😂😂

[@martinboyle9163]

"The Air That I Breathe" is one of the greatest songs ever written.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great song!

[@Code.Name.V]

My favorite Hollies tune for sure.

[@lockedonlaw]

Give me the air that I breathe and a long cool woman in a black dress and there is nothing I cannot do!

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@lockedonlaw Amen!

[@steveshattah]

A friend of mine from Wisconsin invites people to come up and say hi to everyone and smell their dairy air.

[@jessehayes486]

Until today I've never understood 90% of the lyrics from this song. Thank you for the translation. 😂

[@MountainCry]

Seriously! I've been hearing this song since childhood, for 40+ years and still never understood most of it even though I love the Hollies.

[@benjaminrasmussen913]

The fact my wife is 5'9", and I met her in a dress (it was cream color but who's counting) means this song lives rent free in my head and always brings a smile!

[@irayz2677]

I’m 5’5” and she’s 5’3”. She was in a black dress. But who’s counting. This song was playing in the disco. I knew we were gonna get it on.

[@mikenixon2401]

Great comment. Shared experience. Wish y'all well.

[@Ann-pn9or]

WHAT COLOR WAS YOUR DRESS??

[@lockedonlaw]

Yes, but were you working for the FBI? 🤨

[@benjaminrasmussen913]

@@lockedonlaw I like to tell friends, "This is the true story of how we met, except it's not." I wouldn't call a bunch of friends at a high school graduation party "a nest of bad men" either. XD

[@thatonedude1003]

I grew up thinking that “I Want to Teach the World to Sing” was specifically written for the Coke commercial😅…it fit perfectly.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@TheDopekitty]

I honestly didn't know it was anything other than a jingle!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It sure did!

[@davidchristensen2970]

Same here, looking back now I never realized how darn creepy the visuals from those commercials were 😳

[@beenaplumber8379]

I remember hearing it on the radio before the commercial, but somehow that commercial still makes me feel more human, and more optimistic about humanity. Commercials aren't supposed to do that. And no, it never made me a Coca Cola fan. I still prefer RC cola. "Me and my RC, me and my RC!"

[@vernhoke7730]

One of the greatest opening riffs in rock! Right up there with "Walk This Way", "Smoke On the Water", "Stairway to Heaven" and so many others,

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree.

[@earlgrey691]

'Keep Yourself Alive' Queen ?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s so memorable.

[@theodoreritola7641]

@@ProfessorofRock We Will Rock You Queen 1977 and Have you ever seen the Rain CCR 1971.. I DIG MY 70s Baby

[@theodoreritola7641]

@@ProfessorofRock REMEMBER Luke Spencer Genaral Hospital in the 80s he did side work for Clark in the 70s lol Take Care Prof God bless you

[@Charo-ig5sh]

Who cares if it sounds like CCR they both rocked. Back when all we had was AM, some FM, and vinyl. Cranking this out at a party as a young teen, made me the coolest dude in the room. Every time I hear this song my 64 year old heart is a teen, just for one wonderful moment.

[@wildbill7081]

yes very true love both

[@RickGraziano]

There has always been a certain sound in the songs of an era, and much of it comes from the soundtrack of those artist's childhood/teen years. I think this was the case with "Long Cool Woman," CCR and their song, "Run Through The Jungle," as well as some of the Swamp Rock/ Bayou Rock/ Muscle Shoals sounds of the time.

[@bearbryant3495]

I honestly don't hear any similarities with anything CCR ever did. It might sound a little like Old Man Down the Road but that's not even CCR.

[@mitchellbaker9434]

Definitely was a major departure for them. I can't count how many wrong words and phrases I used when singing along to it back then.

[@philspear73]

Agree, the slapback vocals are cool but hard to understand

[@ProfessorofRock]

IT's true. you really have to listen.

[@chrisbenson6683]

I never understood half of the lyrics too. 🤷 I know them now! 👍

[@soulscanner66]

Never thought it was the Hollies. Never understood the lyrics at all. Never even knew the title. Thought it was CCR or Doobie Brothers. Liked the guitar riff.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It is pretty hard to understand without a lyric sheet.

[@jamesgausepohl5033]

Long Cool Woman has been one of my favorites since the 70’s. Gotta give props to ‘He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother’ though. The vocals on it are haunting.

[@kayej1609]

“He’s not heavy, he’s my brother” is my favorite, Allan Clarke has the most beautiful voice!

[@Grampas-jeep]

My dad played country music on the car radio in the 60s &70s. I knew most of the songs, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Buck Owen’s and such, but when I heard Long Cool Woman in A Black Dress, I knew that I was a rocker at heart. From that moment on it was a smoldering but good hearted battle with my dad as to who controlled the radio.

[@stephenhanft1226]

The Hollies have always been one of my favorite bands from the First British Invasion. I've always felt they were very much underrated. I have their Greatest Hits Album. Some of my favorites from them are "Bus Stop", "Hey Carrie-Ann", "On A carousel", "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (Neil Diamond also recorded it), "The Air That I Breathe", and today's featured song "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress".

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Carrie Anne is such a fun song.

[@llamasugar5478]

I love “Bus Stop” and “Carrie Ann”!

[@thomasalexand]

​@ProfessorofRock As far as I know, The Hollies have never been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Brit Awards. But that big fake Bob Geldof and his Boomtow Rats were given the award. The Hollies had many hits. Graham Nash, a great songwriter, left the Hollies and went on to collaborate with Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and David Crosby.

[@RobertL_0563]

Long Cool Woman truly is THE timeless Rock classic; THIS is Rock & Roll! I've been hoping you'd do a segment on this awesome tune. Thanks PoR, another fantastic episode.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Such a GREAT SONG!

[@RobertL_0563]

@@ProfessorofRock Yes it is. It's always been one of my top 5 ALL TIME favorites. Thanks again for doing another great, in-depth episode. 😀👍

[@leoborganelli]

This song is freaking timeless!!! The opening will get your blood flowing every time. What a jam!

[@johngreener9784]

That freakin bass line is one of the absolute best! And when it kicks in, you just cannot help but love it! It was one of the favorite songs we used to play back in my Air Force days (1980-82 tech school buddies) and we all loved it....

[@usaroman]

100% on how that fat bass is just incredible punchy and memorable. I too remember spinning the 45rpm and listening with headphones with the loudness button that stereos had back in the day. Later I learned to play the guitar intro. Those were great times 😊

[@robertcalvin2643]

I am a Hollies Nut - I was in the first row of a 70's concert by them in Festival Hall Melbourne Australia and Terry Sylvester said hello tome from the stage - boy I was thrilled! and when they started Long Cool Woman I went off! Cheers Professor Of Rock.

[@user-xp9ce1vw5p]

Festival Hall is West Melbourne eh? Saw some performances there; gigs and Wrestling! Beatles played Festival Hall in 1964 IIRC?

[@catbutte4770]

Honestly, I didn't even know what the lyrics were except for the iconic, "She was a long cool woman in a black dress". Well, now I know what the song is about!

[@jamesjones-wv9ik]

Yes! That and, "Just one look I was a fat (bad) mess...", since I was, well, a not-so-fat mess. Oh, and "...a tall walking big black cat"! ...cuz cats. 🐈‍⬛

[@jona.874]

@@jamesjones-wv9ik "Cat" was a 1970s slang term used by those of dark skin to refer to a "with it"/"cool" dark skin male.

[@marcusvaughn7019]

Easily, this Hollies hit is within the top 20 greatest rock tunes of all time. Pure genius!

[@susanwhitacre9780]

I'm in my 60s. I work in retail. When an "oldie" comes on, I love it. They tend to repeat songs multiple times a day. This is truly one that never gets old. And boy, do I sing along. The young ones don't get it. Let them have their "emo" crap lol. They don't appreciate... Anyway, to each his own lol! Oh, and crank Black Dog by Zepplin up to 11 please! Rock on Adam!! 🤘🤘

[@kathyfruit5609]

This song came out the year I graduated from high school. I was 5'9" so my best friend called it my song. At first I thought the song was by Credence Clearwater Revival. I was blown away when I learned it was the Hollies. I loved all the Hollies songs but this was such a different sound for them.

[@blinky705]

I would in no way classify The Hollies as a "soft ballads" group. Look Through Any Window, Stop Stop Stop, On a Carousel, Carrie Anne, Bus Stop, Just One Look, I Can't Let Go, I'm Alive, Pay You Back With Interest...these are some of their biggest songs and none are ballads. Sure, they did have ballads, but they are in a minority. They were a pop band.

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

In the AM radio era, those passed for ballads. They sure were a great band with a lot of wonderful hits weren't they

[@martins.7060]

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother.

[@davidhenson6337]

The Air That I Breathe??

[@pugil1st]

Agreed

[@pugil1st]

DEFINITELY one of my favorites!

[@ritamurray1338]

Every time I hear this song it brings me back to high school and our drill team dancing to this song. I still know most of the steps and I have always loved this song. It always made me feel like we were long cool women in a black dress.

[@freethebirds3578]

I had no idea that the same band recorded all those different songs! Versatility is what makes a band gain generations of fans.

[@brianvernon249]

You have to lose some fans to gain many fans. Variety scares some fans away. But it is that variety that makes them the cream & rise to the top. The recently disillusioned band 12 Foot Ninja has multiple genres of music in one song. Like smooth jazz with heavy metal with a disco bridge. The band Ween does a different genre each song. The band Killing Joke does a different genre each album.

[@davidstrother496]

I don't think Long Cool Woman was plagiarized, it was just a moment of inspiration. I have never confused it with any CCR song, but the vibe is similar, though different enough to be noticed. The Hollies have always been one of my favorite groups, as well as CCR and Fogerty. Thanks for the episode Professor.

[@teal_panda_8434]

I never thought of ccr either. But from what I gather, John fogerty is kind of a jerk and just wanted to fuss.

[@333ohmy]

Thanks for adding a Hollies song to your catalog of videos! The Hollies are one of my favorite groups! Their ability to record very good songs that continued to be important in the development of Rock is amazing. They continued to have big hits even after Graham Nash left the group. "He Ain't Heavy", "The Air That I Breathe", and "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)" are classic songs that will continue to play in the soundtrack of our lives forever!

[@flavellinator]

Thought for the longest time this was a CCR song! The Hollies were able to diversify quite well for sure... Bus Stop had a Beatles vibe to it, for example

[@ProfessorofRock]

Many do!

[@prussian5770]

Loved the Hollies. Heard Bus Stop all the time on the radio. Great song.

[@toddyjean2307]

Me too!

[@ezsmith3765]

ME TOO .... thought it was CCR

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It does sound like a smoother version of Fogerty.

[@lambowolf]

A few years ago while sitting in a pub at lunchtime, I wrote this well liked post on Facebook, “At Molly’s pub downtown, drinking a beer, having a sexy red haired bartender serving me, and ‘Long, Tall Women in a Black Dress’ is playing on the jukebox. Life is good.”

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I love how you set that up.

[@Russeaman]

You are do right!!!

[@edwardkeating5285]

Houston?

[@lambowolf]

@@edwardkeating5285 correct

[@grizzywald]

78 times in a row? That sounds like what I call a music 'binge' where a song really grabs me emotionally, and every time it ends, I HAVE to listen to it again. Have done that with a few songs (a select few, one at a time I may add) and listened to them through the night letting the emotion rush through me. Glad to know it's not just me

[@pyotr576]

I listened to "within you and without you" for the first half of the shift.

[@lmarchand8526]

Aaaah... 1972... We "chicks" all want to be a long, cool woman...I'm 13, we've driven 1200 miles west to Winnipeg to see relatives. I meet 2 distant cousins, 2 youngish adult guys who seem like the epitome of "cool" to me, and I want to be cool soooo much! And I was, I sure was ... wearing trendy burgundy baggy cords with assorted body-hugging shirt (probably Fortrel lol). It was sunny and hot, we were outside talking about Sticky Fingers, not trusting anyone over 30, other cool stuff... and just generally being cool as all get out. And Long Cool Woman played on the radio all the time, the whole summer. I hear or think of this song and remember the days, or I think of the days and hear the song. All the '72 songs shaped the me-to-be, but this one literally transports me right back to those actual days. Thanks for the trip back today :-)

[@OAlem]

I have to agree that this song doesn't get old. It sounds new every time!

[@mutantryeff]

That is a MASSIVE CLASSIC

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen to the nth degree!

[@margaretbehler4935]

I remember this guy I went to middle school with named Mike. He was the first kid in school to have a Walk Man. You would have thought that he was a rock star. I felt privileged when he let me listen to it at his locker. Ah, memories.

[@beenaplumber8379]

I remember my first cassette Walkman had 2 headphone jacks so you could share your tunes with someone else. (My 1st "Walkman"-style unit was only a stereo radio.) That was a cool feature.

[@waynevia6976]

The hollies is one of the greatest bands in my opinion they have so many good songs like the air that I breathe, long dark road and so many other great songs.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure. Thanks Wayne!

[@VanirTraditionalist]

Too Young To Be Married is an unknown masterwork.

[@Pudef9]

@@VanirTraditionalistOne of my faves of theirs.

[@stephenbrown4211]

Love 70’s era Hollies, especially this one

[@ProfessorofRock]

FOr sure!

[@keithguidry2841]

It's sad there will never be music like this again!

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding.

[@L.Spencer]

You never know. Sometimes I hear modern songs that sound like old songs. But it's very rare and they're probably pitch tuned.

[@Russeaman]

Music has gone so far south that ya can't even see it anymore...

[@scowlistic]

Don't give up!

[@mottawa1]

It will always be memorable. My kids complain they were born in the wrong decade … how right they are.

[@kato64]

I have loved this song since I was a kid. I started playing guitar as a teen. For 40 years every time I heard the song I’d think to myself “One of these days I’ve got to learn that!”. This past winter I finally sat down and took the time to figure it out. One of the most satisfying songs I’ve ever learned. I have to admit, although I know the whole song now, often I just play that grooving opening riff over and over again. It’s so much fun to play. Just a great tune!

[@newmercies265]

This song will forever be my uncle Jim's song! I was about 8 yrs old and he would play this song on his car radio while he cleaned his car! He had a gray Falcon, and I'll forever forever see him with his shoulder-length hair and mustache. He unexpectedly passed away a few years ago, so this will always be his song to me. Love it!! ❤❤

[@mdpreacher9073]

Allan Clarke also sang lead vocal on "Breakdown" off the Alan Parson Project's I ROBOT.

[@Bogie3855]

When I met my wife in 72 this Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress was topping the charts and it became OUR song. We just celebrated our 50th a week ago. Of course I have a copy of that song on CD. Always gets a rise...

[@Pony-Corral]

I used birthday money to buy a various artists album in 1972. The album did not play, bad pressing, so my dad told me to pick out 2 songs and he would get the 45's for me. I picked Brandy by Looking Glass and Long Cool Woman. I played those 45's over and over for hours, days.

[@carlacook5181]

I love this song, every time I hear it I think of my sister who was as we said, a long cool woman with a flat chest, otherwise she fit the profile, she was a real looker, when she walked into a room, every eye turned to her, but she didn’t seem to notice, she was cool, she is battling lung cancer now, as I said, I love this song, Adam, thanks for the memories, Hollies had some great music. Take care.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Prayers for her!

[@carlacook5181]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 thank you very much

[@calamityjean1525]

I hope she wins her battle.

[@carlacook5181]

@@calamityjean1525 thank you, she is doing well right now.

[@trinaq]

I was surprised that this offering was from the Hollies, since it was so unlike their previous singles, being more moody sounding. It actually does sound more like Creedence Clearwater Revival, despite them trying to emulate Elvis more.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. I don't think they should've been sued though!

[@tomcrown69]

@@ProfessorofRockit does sound like Credence When I first heard it I thought it was Credence. I was surprised to find out it was the Hollies so unlike the songs they were known for.

[@toddmoore9841]

I thought it was CCR until today!

[@fnjesusfreak]

@@ProfessorofRock Zaentz can't dance, but he'll take your money...

[@dcrispin1]

Looking back I always knew it was the Hollies. Don’t know how I knew that but it was never “CCR” to me!

[@scottburton9701]

"Long Cool Woman" is definitely one of the best songs The Hollies ever recorded-Too bad it wasn't able to knock "Alone Again Naturally" out of the # 1 spot.

[@Code.Name.V]

It was the better song in my opinion.

[@lockedin60]

@@Code.Name.V Sentimentality vs Pure Rock always seems to be at each others throats!

[@darleneschneck]

I loved this song when it came out in 1972. I honestly did not know all these lyrics! All I knew is that this song made me feel gloriously alive. And that’s the power of music.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It all sounded like gibberish but it was so groovy anyways!

[@Sasklahoma]

Loverboy and Foreigner was one of my favorite concerts to set up for. Your T-shirt and the album featured beside you brougt it all back.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool. Tell us more!

[@Sasklahoma]

@@ProfessorofRock from the age of 13 until I was 19 ‘78 forward. A local promoter was able to bring in big acts by cutting overhead training us as a local road crew. We set up for everyone from Burton Cummings to Triumph, Heart to the Killer Dwarves. Canadian small town experience at its best.

[@chrisbenson6683]

I love CCR, and I've always liked this song too. I've heard plenty of both. I never thought this was a CCR song, though. In fact, I never really noticed the similarities until now. 🤷 But yeah... I do hear it.

[@Bailbondello]

Id blame saul zantz, that crooked mofo was money hungry and sue happy... Ask fogerty himself

[@georgem.shirley6946]

I was a mediocre amateur competitive golfer on my way to play in a qualifying round for the New Orleans City Amateur Golf Championship and heard this song in the radio for the 1 st time . Could not get it out of my head for the rest of the day . Played one of my best rounds of competitive golf in my life and was the 1 st qualifier in the field . Needless to say every time I hear it, it 21:56 brings back memories.

[@davidodell6608]

I loved CCR, but John Fogerty has a problem! I had all of CCR's albums, and NEVER confused "Long Cool Woman" with Creedence. Geesh!

[@cl5619]

Me too. I’ve never associated this song with anything by CCR

[@halweiss8671]

I didn’t really think this sounded like Elvis, either. Sure, maybe his style, but not much more.

[@DuelingBongos]

Sometimes, ALL I NEED IS THE AIR THAT I BREATHE AND A LONG COOL WOMAN IN A BLACK DRESS!

[@Mikelanimx]

I've always told my friends that if I had to, absolutely had to pick my favorite rock song, it would be "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress". Just brings my spirits up every time I hear it.

[@TerrickTerran]

Strange crazy story you probably wouldn't see nowadays. How music has changed and not for the better.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure. Thanks Terrick!

[@beenaplumber8379]

Music is constantly changing. It always has been in change, and the only ones who can judge whether it's a change for the good are people who are interested in modern music. I don't like Adam's complaining about modern music. He's free to do as I do - just listen to the old music we like. New music isn't intended for us!

[@DublinMarge]

Another great video about an awesome song. I went through a Hollies stage, about the same time I was listening to Tommy James & the Shondells. Crimson and Clover over and over. Remember Crystal Blue Persuasion? Blast from the past.

[@Spinspiel]

In 1973 the Hollies released a single called "The Day Curly Bill Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee" it was on their 1974 album that had "The Air That I Breathe". Alan Clarke wrote that "Curly Bill..." tune and it was another rocker in the vein of "Long Cool Woman" with the same echo effect and it was another law & order story song. I'm not sure where Clarke got his inspiration from for the song but it seems to feature characters associated with the Klondike Gold Rush which is the history of my home territory: Yukon. Check the song out Professor - it's very similar to Long Cool Woman. Thanks.

[@eleanormay729]

I'm 65 and I still love this song!

[@MeShellMaBelle]

I discovered the Hollies When I was a kid and our family moved into a house on Long Island that a disc jockey had lived in. He left behind a room full of 45's. Not many were very good, but there was this one red 45 with Carrie Ann on one side. We played that record over and over relentlessly. The Hollies have been one of my favorites ever since. Great memories! ❤

[@BaddogSports]

Good God, I LOVE this song!! The guitar is intro is unmistakable! 🎸

[@lannybackes1053]

I couldn't nail down exactly when I first heard this song. It was in the late 70's and I was about 9 or 10 years old and just discovering my love for music. This is one song that I absolutely loved everything about from the first time I heard it. If I find myself flipping through stations while driving and this song is playing on one of them, I stop there and crank it up! So we'll done it will never get old and I too could probably play it 78 times in a row, even still! Nice one professor! Thank you!

[@ericbgordon1575]

I think "Long Cool Woman" was my first Hollies song. I heard it in my preschool days (1982-85). (Back then, the only Creedence song I remember hearing was "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?".) Naturally, the Hollies name wasn't a name I caught until I was a teen and became a musician with expanded historic knowledge. I also learned that Alan Clarke was recruited as a guest singer on the second Alan Parsons Project LP, *I Robot.* One thing I don't think I knew before now was that Alan also played guitar. Today, one KZbinr who refers to the opening riff from "Long Cool Woman" during his uploads is named Austin, and his channel is The Trogly's Guitar Show. He may not be deliberately trying to play this song, but it comes to mind.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great take Eric!

[@scottwalton5888]

I check out Trogly's channel. Has great guitar content.

[@heathercampbell9496]

My Mom had this song on record, a 45, so I grew up listening to this song. Years later, my husband and I had a long running disagreement about who the artist was - he thought CCR, and I knew it was The Hollies. So one day, upon my release from the hospital after giving birth to our daughter, we stopped at my parent's house for them to see the baby. I went immediately to the basement to dig out this very record and prove my husband wrong once and for all! This has always been one of my most favorite songs and nobody around me was going to get away with believing or thinking this was CCR, lol.

[@rogertemple7193]

The Hollies had a lot of great songs which i liked but this was one of my favorite of all of their songs because it had a light hard rock sound to it thank you.🇬🇧🎤🎸🎸🎸🥁🇬🇧

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's true. It rocks!

[@ronvillarrealphotography]

This song is probably my all time favorite intro! I've shared it with both of my kids (as adults) on road trips. A great memory! Thanks for the info. And thanks for this channel!

[@rodneyskeen6379]

Have won a lot of bets thanks to this song...so many people DO think it is CCR. Thank you Hollies. Also, Tony Hicks is a highly underrated musician.

[@duromusabc]

Awesome classic ! Along with Air That I Breathe ! Interesting- The Hollies also sued Radio Head for their song Creep

[@ProfessorofRock]

THat's right!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s crazy!

[@user-xp9ce1vw5p]

And somebody else got sued a year or two back; can't recall the song, but definitely ripped-off that progression

[@rodneyskeen6379]

Actually I think it was the writers of the song that sued Radiohead, not the band.

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

Man, I learned a TON from this episode! Thanks Professor! 🖖🏼

[@ProfessorofRock]

Glad to hear it!

[@roypedersen585]

I know you talk to over a million people with your channel but somehow (and I don't know how you do it) it always feels like you are just talking to me! What a gift, Thank you.

[@vpolite1]

Professor. You have forgotten to mention this twice. The final scene to the iconic series "Mad Men" features the song, "I'd like to teach the world to sing". Dom Draper is sitting in a park, communing in nature, and the song is played. There was a lot of discussion afterwards about what it meant.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great scene.

[@johnnyjohnson1326]

Absolutely amazing show! The end was interesting to say the least

[@davidweihe6052]

*Don* Draper is presumed to have done the Coke commercial, which was actually produced by a Black ad agent (hence the controversy). Don’s entire life was stolen from the Real Don Draper, and the Coke commercial was stolen from the real agent. Thus the character returned to his old ways.

[@paconrail1238]

When my fav DJ, Shotgun Steve Kelly, left WKAP in Allentown PA I requested The Air I Breathe as a dedication and he played it and played my conversation with him on air!

[@eugeneweston3891]

One of my favorite opening guitar riffs in rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Perfect!

[@lockedonlaw]

The Hollies had lost Allan Clarke when this song was released. He came back.

[@ProfessorofRock]

!

[@lockedonlaw]

@@ProfessorofRock I see you mentioned this at the end of the video but I wrote the comment before I watched. 😁

[@michaeleasterwood6558]

Yes,it was covered in this video

[@djf750]

@@ProfessorofRock Didn't he lose that great voice??

[@hawkeyepierce12]

​@@djf750yes, he did. But he still recorded a new album last year, with a little help from a certain Graham Nash.

[@justinkaufman5336]

POR....I always ask music related questions to people that a first meet as a way to get to know them ie..genre, artist, song, etc...but my favorite question is "If deserted on an island, and had the means to play and hear only one song, what would it be?" Sometimes I get an answer right away, most of the time I don't. I asked myself that question long ago and had no problem answering. Long Cool Woman no doubt. That song was so ahead of it's time and when I play it, the neighbors know it. Thank you so much for this episode and thank you for what you do.

[@davidlaw689]

As much as I love this song , I think that The Air That I Breathe and He Aint Heavy ( He's My Brother ) are as good as anything that The Hollies' peers put out around the same time.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ok!

[@Code.Name.V]

I agree

[@georgeprice4212]

Apparently, so did Radiohead! 😮

[@normatible9795]

Yes but i love " From Boulder to Birmingham " too

[@simonmason8582]

Albert Hammond and the English songwriter Mike Hazlewood wrote that song.

[@azinegg]

Saw them in concert in 1988 in Aberdeen scotland”, …. Best concert I’ve ever been to ever! Good on ye prof for featuring the fantastic hollies.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@NanuqoftheNorth]

Any chance you could interview Frankie Vallie? He's currently on his farewell tour at 90 years old. He has seen and done more when it comes to American pop music than most could ever dream of doing. "Who Loves You" and "December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)" are two of his band's later hits that I can't seem to get out of my head.

[@neildriedger637]

This song is TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!GREAT VIDEO 👍.....NEVER GETS OLD!!!!!

[@ronaldmccomb8301]

Absolutely love this song! The Hollies are one of the most underrated bands of the British Invasion.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I have to agree!

[@pcno2832]

I really like "Long Cool Woman", but many of the Hollies' other songs are some of my favorite of all time. From "Look Through Any Window" to "Pay You Back With Interest" they captured a side of the British Invasion that was almost like a dream. I'd say they re-created some of the sounds of that era with their followup hit, "Long, Dark Road", which got too little attention while living in the wake of the previous blockbuster hit. The public preferred "Long Cool Woman", but if stuck on a desert island, "Long Dark Road" would be the one for my list.

[@michaelsingletary4526]

There is a version 12" version of LCWIBD that starts out Acapella then kicks into the guitar riff. Totally awesome. Have a great day everyone, from Tampa Florida. #POR

[@ProfessorofRock]

THanks Michael!

[@denisewildfortune4058]

I didn't know how much I needed this backstory, professor. I loved this song when it came out and ever since. Thank you!

[@froggergoat]

That’s why I watch this channel I would have never known any of this by listening to the song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

THanks!

[@morelanmn]

In 1975 what at a dance club in Chattanooga (the Governers Lounge) I saw a stunning woman walk across the dance floor when this song came on. She had a date, so she was not on my hunt list for that night. Many years later I helped a friend of my wife. 2010. and I looked up and the same woman and man appeared at our friend's house. The woman was her mother, and the man was her father. We talked and enjoyed the past. He remembers everything about that night because that was the night he asked her to marry him. She still had the dress, and she still fit in it. I ask her for a dance every time all of us get together.

[@reddrockingeezer]

I don't know why, but my old brain always remembers 'Long Cool Woman in a Red Dress', even though it was a black dress in the song.

[@gregjustlovesyoutubeguidelines]

My dad grew up in this time and he still thinks it's "Red dress"

[@frankdefulvio1005]

I was doing yard work a few years back and was playing music on a Bluetooth speaker when a live version of “Long Cool Woman” came on. There was just something about it that I never appreciated in the studio version. I searched and found the MP3 version and purchased it. Love that live version.

[@floepiejane]

I knew this was coming up when you meantioned this song yesterday. Keep up the good work.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks! Will do!

[@MLFranklin]

Such seemingly disparate lyrics finally woven together into a logical narrative with your complete backstory. I appreciate your great research. Thanks!

[@neilperry2224]

The shots taken in the 30s gangsters movies were real bullets and in the film with Jimmy Cagney in . Where he shouts ' I'm on top of the world ma!!' He was narrowly missed by a bullet in a scene and that's no real shocked face on him.

[@LaManteca76]

😳 Interesting!

[@bluelady549]

😮😮😮!

[@tooleyoclock]

Adam, I’m surprised you didn’t reference the COOLEST part of the entire song. That little yelp at the end of the instrumental interlude before the 3nd verse. So cool! I have memories of my Dad and I having fun listening to this song on the radio and trying to time out the “wooo!!!” just right. 🎙️

[@user-rw5fg5wj7q]

UFO-Rock Bottom, Montrose-Bad Motor Scooter, Thin Lizzy-The Cowboy Song

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@OldcarsNmusic]

Holiday by Nazareth as well.

[@suecox2308]

It's fascinating how varied the Top 100 was back in the day--hard to imagine two more different songs than "Alone Again" and "Long Cool Woman."

[@joefunsmith]

Love seeing the Gramm autographed copy of the 4 LP.

[@crazyslave]

Thank you SO much for this video! EVERY time I hear this song, the volume automatically goes up. My dad used to air guitar and sing Long Cool Woman all of the time when I was younger... so much so that the song will forever remind me of him. He passed away in February of 2019, so whenever it's on, in my mind it's him telling me hello. ❤ Please, don't stop doing what you're doing with your channel.

[@johnnyb3245]

i like your stories of personal experiences. the hollies should have kept going with their updated sound.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. Thank for watching!

[@staylor6913]

Memories! When I was a young teen, my much older brother had a boat parked in our driveway. It had an eight track and I spent hours listening to The Hollies and CCR while pretending to clean and detail the cabin. It was a very tidy boat! Loved those bands!

[@DC8091]

Day Drinkin must be takin seriously 🤘🤘🤘🍻 0:40

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha!

[@bigjoe8922]

I’ll save a seat for you

[@Russeaman]

Many a time I didn't go back to work because the bar was having to much fun!!!