This song tells the story of a man expressing his love and concern for a prostitute named Louise, highlighting their relationship through New Orleans imagery and a blend of affection and melancholy.
[Verse 1]
On the water down in New Orleans
My baby's the pearl of the quarter
She's a charmer like you never seen
Singing voulez, voulez, voulez-vous
[Verse 2]
Where the sailor spends his hard-earned pay
Red beans and rice for a quarter
You can see her almost any day
Singing voulez, voulez, voulez-vous
[Chorus]
And if you hear from my Louise
Won't you tell her I say hello?
Please make it clear
When her day is done
She got a place to go
[Verse 3]
I walked alone down the miracle mile
I met my baby by the shrine of the martyr
She stole my heart with her Cajun smile
Singing voulez, voulez, voulez-vous
[Verse 4]
She loved the million-dollar words I say
She loved the candy and the flowers that I bought her
She said she loved me and was on her way
Singing voulez, voulez, voulez-vous
[Chorus]
And if you hear from my Louise
Won't you tell her I love her so?
Please make it clear
When her day is done
She got a place to go
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
And if you hear from my Louise
Won't you tell her I love her so?
Please make it clear
When her day is done
She got a place to go
Pearl of the Quarter was written by Donald Fagen & Walter Becker.
Pearl of the Quarter was produced by Gary Katz.
Steely Dan released Pearl of the Quarter on Sun Jul 01 1973.