About the song
“Polk Salad Annie” by Elvis Presley is a raw and swampy blues-rock number that showcases his powerful vocal delivery and his ability to inhabit a song with a deep sense of character and atmosphere. While the song was written and originally performed by Tony Joe White in 1968, Presley’s electrifying live performances of it, particularly starting in 1970, brought a new level of intensity and a wider audience to this unique Southern gothic tale. It’s more than just a song about a quirky character; it’s a vivid and almost cinematic portrayal of a specific time and place in the American South, delivered with Presley’s undeniable charisma and vocal grit.
Tony Joe White’s original “Polk Salad Annie” established the song’s distinctive groove and its narrative of a poor but resilient young woman from the Louisiana swamps who gathers “polk salad” (a type of leafy green) for sustenance. Presley’s interpretation often amplified the song’s raw energy and its inherent drama. His live performances, in particular, were dynamic and captivating, featuring his signature karate moves and a palpable sense of engagement with the music and the story. He embraced the song’s bluesy undertones and injected it with a rock and roll swagger that made it a standout in his concert repertoire.
Elvis Presley’s vocal style in “Polk Salad Annie” demonstrates his versatility and his deep connection to the blues and Southern musical traditions. He delivers the lyrics with a confident and often theatrical flair, fully embodying the character and the swampy atmosphere of the song. His vocalizations, including his deep growls and energetic shouts, add to the raw and visceral feel of the performance. The instrumentation in Presley’s versions typically features a prominent electric guitar, often delivering bluesy and funky riffs, a strong and driving rhythm section, and sometimes a harmonica, all contributing to the song’s infectious groove and its sense of place. The overall feel is one of raw energy and a deep dive into a specific Southern experience.
The enduring appeal of “Polk Salad Annie” lies in its unique and compelling narrative, its infectious groove, and Presley’s dynamic and charismatic performances. It’s a song that tells a story and creates a vivid sense of atmosphere, transporting the listener to the Louisiana swamps and introducing them to the resilient “Polk Salad Annie.” Presley’s energetic delivery and his obvious enjoyment of the song made it a highlight of his live shows and a memorable addition to his diverse catalog.
“Polk Salad Annie” as performed by Elvis Presley is more than just a cover song; it’s a dynamic and charismatic interpretation that showcases his versatility and his deep connection to Southern musical traditions. His energetic delivery and his theatrical stage presence brought a new level of intensity and a wider audience to this unique and compelling swamp rock classic.
Video
Lyrics
If some of ya’ll never been down south too much
Some y’all never been down s-
I’m gonna tell you a little story so’s you’ll understand what I’m talkin’ about
Down there we have a plant that grows out in the woods, and the fields
And it looks somethin’ like a turnip green
Everybody calls it polk salad
Now that’s polk salad
Used to know a girl lived down there and she’d go out in the evenings and
Pick her a mess of it
Carry it home and cook it for supper
Because that’s about all they had to eat
But they did all right
Down in Louisiana, where the alligators grow so mean
Lived a girl, that I swear to the world
Made the alligators look tame
Polk salad Annie, gators got your granny
Everybody said it was a shame
Because her momma was a workin’ on the chain gang
A mean vicious woman
Everyday before supper time, she’d go down by the truck patch
And pick her a mess of polk salad, and carry it home in a tow sack
Polk salad Annie, the gators got your granny
Everybody says it was a shame
Because her momma was a workin’ on the chain gang
A wretched, spiteful, straight-razor totin’ woman
Lord have Mercy, pick a mess of it
Sock a little polk salad to me
Her daddy was lazy and no-count, claimed he had a bad back
All her brothers were fit for
Was stealin’ watermelons out of my truck patch
Polk salad Annie, the gators got your granny
Everybody said it was a shame
Because her momma was a workin’ on the chain gang
Yeah, sock a little polk salad to me, you know I need me a mess of it
Sock a little
Sock 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)
