This tune fascinated me when it hit the charts in 1972, largely because I couldn't fully understand the lyrics. That was partly due to the echo applied to Allan Clarke's vocals, but also because the lyrics seemed to mention working for the FBI, the DA man and a tall walking big black cat. Was that really what he was singing? Why would The Hollies, an English pop group, would want to sing about something so American?
Eventually I tracked down the lyrics (see below) and found this video of The Hollies' performing it live. This swept away all doubt. Unlike most YouTube videos, this is clearly a live performance. We clearly hear Clarke's vocal without the echo. And the two-guitar break halfway through (long a favorite of mine) is nicely done.
Working for the F.B.I.
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.
(Chorus)
A pair of 45s 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
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
I heard somebody shooting a gun.
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
With just one look I was a bad mess
'Cause that long cool woman had it all
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