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Walk on the Wild Side

by Lou Reedon Between Thought and Expression: Selected Lyrics of Lou Reed (1991)

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… Read More [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

[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

[Saxophone Solo]