![Elvis – Polk Salad Annie – Vinyl (7", 45 RPM + 3 more), 1973 [r2677279] | Discogs](https://i.discogs.com/mxAScP73GjGQhsXLBg4CIUpqPvhLEXinODm5Kr4HLAQ/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:597/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTI2MDIz/MzUxLTE2NzU3ODYz/NDQtMTEzMy5qcGVn.jpeg)
About the song
Elvis Presley, often referred to as “The King of Rock and Roll,” brought his unmistakable charisma and vocal mastery to countless songs during his illustrious career. Among the standout tracks in his live performance repertoire was “Polk Salad Annie”, a song originally written and recorded by Tony Joe White in 1968. While White’s version was a hit, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, it was Elvis’s electrifying interpretation that gave the track new life, transforming it into a show-stopping moment during his live concerts.
Elvis first introduced “Polk Salad Annie” into his setlists in the early 1970s, particularly during his celebrated Las Vegas residency and live tours. Although Elvis’s studio version of the song was never officially released, a powerful live recording was included on the album “On Stage” in 1970, showcasing his dynamic energy and stage presence. The song quickly became a fan favorite, with its gritty southern roots and playful storytelling aligning perfectly with Elvis’s ability to captivate an audience.
“Polk Salad Annie” is a southern rock anthem infused with swampy blues influences, and its lyrics tell the tale of a tough, rural life in the Deep South. The song centers around the titular “Annie,” a resourceful young woman who survives by foraging wild “polk salad,” a staple in impoverished southern communities. The imagery of alligators, hard work, and resilience resonates as both a nostalgic nod to simpler times and a vivid portrayal of the grit required to endure such a life. When Elvis performed the song, he brought a level of theatricality to the story, punctuating it with humor, powerful growls, and his signature hip-shaking moves, which left audiences enthralled.
The musical arrangement in Elvis’s rendition is an adrenaline-fueled mix of funk, blues, and rock. The bass line grooves steadily, while brass accents and fiery guitar licks add texture and urgency. Elvis’s vocal delivery, alternately playful and intense, breathes new life into the narrative, making it feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. His ability to take Tony Joe White’s story and amplify it with his own flair is a testament to his talent as an interpreter of songs.
Beyond its musical brilliance, “Polk Salad Annie” also carried significant cultural resonance. In an era when popular music was increasingly urban and polished, the song celebrated southern identity and working-class resilience. Elvis, a Mississippi native himself, seemed to channel his own roots into the performance, connecting with audiences on a visceral level. His embrace of this earthy, southern rock tune reflected a broader trend in the 1970s, when artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival and Lynyrd Skynyrd brought regional storytelling to the mainstream.
Critics and fans alike praised Elvis’s ability to turn “Polk Salad Annie” into a signature live moment, and his performances of the song remain some of the most electrifying in his career. The live recording from “On Stage” captures not just the sound but the sheer energy of Elvis in his prime, reminding listeners why he remains an enduring icon in the history of music.
Whether you’re a lifelong Elvis fan or someone discovering his work for the first time, “Polk Salad Annie” stands as a vivid reminder of his unmatched charisma, vocal power, and ability to transform any song into something unforgettable. It’s a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the fusion of storytelling, soul, and pure entertainment.
Video
Lyrics
If some of ya’ll never been down south too muchSome y’all never been down s-I’m gonna tell you a little story so’s you’ll understand what I’m talkin’ aboutDown there we have a plant that grows out in the woods, and the fieldsAnd it looks somethin’ like a turnip greenEverybody calls it polk saladNow that’s polk saladUsed to know a girl lived down there and she’d go out in the evenings andPick her a mess of itCarry it home and cook it for supperBecause that’s about all they had to eatBut they did all rightDown in Louisiana, where the alligators grow so meanLived a girl, that I swear to the worldMade the alligators look tamePolk salad Annie, gators got your grannyEverybody said it was a shameBecause her momma was a workin’ on the chain gangA mean vicious womanEveryday before supper time, she’d go down by the truck patchAnd pick her a mess of polk salad, and carry it home in a tow sackPolk salad Annie, the gators got your grannyEverybody says it was a shameBecause her momma was a workin’ on the chain gangA wretched, spiteful, straight-razor totin’ womanLord have Mercy, pick a mess of itSock a little polk salad to meHer daddy was lazy and no-count, claimed he had a bad backAll her brothers were fit forWas stealin’ watermelons out of my truck patchPolk salad Annie, the gators got your grannyEverybody said it was a shameBecause her momma was a workin’ on the chain gangYeah, sock a little polk salad to me, you know I need me a mess of itSock a littleSock a little polk salad to me, you know I need a real mess of it (chick-a-boom)Sock a little polk salad, you know I need a real (chick-a-boom)Ching-ching-ching-ching-a-ling (chick-a-boom)Ching-ching-ching-ching-a-ling (chick-a-boom)Ching-ching-ching-ching-a-ling (chick-a-boom)Ching-ching-ching-ching-a-ling (chick-a-boom)Ching-ching-ching-ching-a-ling (chick-a-boom)Ching-ching-ching-ching-a-ling (chick-a-boom)Ching-ching-ching-ching-a-ling (chick-a-boom)Ching-ching-ching-ching-a-ling (chick-a-boom)