Long a fav of mine-idosyncratic, bold and oh, so New York. I first heard this song when it came out sitting at my family's kitchen table. We had a small transistor radio that we listened to especially when Mom was working in the kitchen. This song was so unique compared to what was out there in '72 and the lyrics...certainly caused her to simultaneously raise an eyebrow and smile. I was such an innocent, I don't think I fully grasped the song until I was older.
Holly came from Miami, F.L.A.Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A.Plucked her eyebrows on the wayShaved her legs and then he was a she
She says, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"Said, "Hey, honeyTake a walk on the wild side"
Candy came from out on the IslandIn the back room she was everybody's darlingBut she never lost her headEven when she was giving head
She says, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"Said, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"
And the colored girls go"Doo do doo do doo do do doo..."
Little Joe never once gave it awayEverybody had to pay and payA hustle here and a hustle thereNew York City's the place
Where they said, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"I said, "Hey, JoeTake a walk on the wild side"
Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streetsLooking for soul food and a place to eatWent to the ApolloYou should've seen them go, go, go
They said, "Hey, sugarTake a walk on the wild side"I said, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side", alrightHuh
Jackie is just speeding awayThought she was James Dean for a dayThen I guess she had to crashValium would have helped that bash
She said, "Hey, babeTake a walk on the wild side"I said, "Hey, honeyTake a walk on the wild side"
And the colored girls say"Doo do doo do doo do do doo..."
Fun fact: The baritone saxophone solo played over the fadeout of the song is performed by Ronnie Ross, who had taught David Bowie to play the saxophone during Bowie's childhood. Bowie helped produce the album "Transformer" that contains this track.
A song from 1970 covered in 1988 by the Cowboy Junkies. While Reed's original and subsequent versions were rockers, I always preferred this one with its soft insinuation of being under the influence. Is Jane a metaphor for a drug or a person? The euphoria of either or both is proclaimed in the soaring fourth verse.
Anyone who's ever had a heartWouldn't turn around and break itAnd anyone who's ever played a partWouldn't turn around and hate it
Sweet Jane, sweet JaneOh, sweet, sweet Jane
You're waiting for Jimmy down in the alleyYou were waiting there for him to come back homeYou're waiting down on the cornerAnd thinking of ways to get back home
Sweet Jane, sweet JaneAh, sweet, sweet Jane
Anyone who's ever had a dreamAnyone who's ever played a partAnyone who's ever been lonelyAnd anyone who's ever split apart
Sweet Jane, sweet JaneOh, sweet, sweet Jane
Heavenly wine and rosesSeem to whisper to me when you smileHeavenly wine and rosesSeem to whisper to me when you smile
La-la-la-la, la-la-laLa-la-la, la-la-laNa-na-na-na, na-na-naNa-na-na, na-na-na
Sweet JaneSweet, sweet Jane
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