Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” is a tribute to Andy Warhol’s “factory” of friends and superstars from the New York underground. Here’s Holly, Jackie and Joe in 1971:
The song weaves a soft, soothing melody with lyrics about about drugs, transsexuality, cross-dressing, prostitution, and oral sex...
[Verse 1]
Holly came from Miami, F-L-A
Hitchhiked her way across the U.S.A.
Plucked her eyebrows on the way
Shaved her legs and then he was a she
[Chorus]
She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
[Verse 2]
Candy came from out on the Island
In the backroom, she was everybody's darling
But she never lost her head
Even when she was giving head
[Chorus]
She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
[Post-Chorus]
And the colored girls go
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo
[Verse 3]
Little Joe never once gave it away
Everybody had to pay and pay
A hustle here and a hustle there
New York City is the place where they said
[Chorus]
"Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey Joe, take a walk on the wild side"
[Verse 4]
Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets
Looking for soul food and a place to eat
Went to the Apollo
You should've seen him go, go, go
[Chorus]
They said, "Hey sugar, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Alright, huh
[Verse 5]
Jackie is just speeding away
Thought she was James Dean for a day
Then I guess she had to crash
Valium would've helped that bash
[Chorus]
She said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
[Post-Chorus]
And the colored girls say
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo
[Saxophone Solo]
Walk on the Wild Side was written by Lou Reed.
Walk on the Wild Side was produced by Mick Ronson & David Bowie.
Lou Reed released Walk on the Wild Side on Wed Nov 08 1972.
Simply put by Lou Reed-
I thought it would be fun to introduce people you see at parties but don’t dare approach.