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“Polk Salad Annie” stands as a testament to the talent of Tony Joe White, the renowned American singer-songwriter. White penned and performed this iconic song, which saw its official release as a single in 1969, swiftly climbing to the impressive 8th spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Notably, the song caught the ear of Elvis Presley in 1969 while he was listening to the radio. Instantly captivated, Presley reached out to his producer, Chips Moman, expressing his strong desire to record the track. Initially hesitant, Moman eventually acquiesced.
The recording session for “Polk Salad Annie” took place on June 15, 1970, at the esteemed American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Capturing the essence of live energy, Elvis, accompanied by his band and the Memphis Horns, brought the song to life in the studio. The rendition was marked by a pulsating rhythm and Elvis’s emotive vocals.
Following its recording, “Polk Salad Annie” was released as a single on July 20, 1970. The track swiftly soared to commercial success, securing the 4th position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and claiming the top spot on the Billboard Country Singles chart. Its popularity extended across the pond, achieving an impressive 2nd place on the UK Singles Chart.
Throughout his illustrious career, Elvis Presley frequently performed “Polk Salad Annie” live, turning it into a concert highlight during the 1970s. In these performances, he often indulged audiences with extended instrumental interludes, showcasing the song’s enduring appeal.
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Lyrics
Some of you all never been down South too much…
I’ gonna tell you a little story, so you’ll understand where I’m talking about
Down there we have a plant that grows out in the woods and the fields,
and it looks something like a turnip green.
Everybody calls it Polk salad. Now that’s Polk salad.
Used to know a girl that lived down there and
she’d go out in the evenings to pick a mess of it…
Carry it home and cook it for supper, ’cause 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 tamePolk salad Annie
‘Gators got your granny
Everybody said it was a shame
For the mama was working on the chain-gang
What a mean, vicious womanEveryday before suppertime
She’d go down by the truck patch
And pick her a mess of Polk salad
And carry it home in a tote sackPolk salad Annie
‘Gators got you granny
Everybody said it was a shame
‘Cause the mama was working on the chain-gang
Whoo, how wretched, dispiteful, straight-razor totin’ woman,
Lord have mercy.Sock a little Polk salad to him
Yeah, you know what, yeah, yeahBut daddy was a lazy and a no-count
Claimed he had a bad back
All her brothers were fit for
Was stealing watermelons out of my truckFor once Polk salad Annie
‘Gators got your granny
Everybody said it was a shame
For the mama was working on the chain-gangSock a little Polk salad to him
You know what meets a meal mention
You sock a little
Hey, hey, hey, yeah, yeah
Chic a bon, chic a bon, chic a bon bon bon bon
Chic a bon, chic a bon, chic a bon bon bon bon
Sock a little Polk salad to him
You know what meets a meal mention
Sock a little Polk salad to him
You know what meets a meal mention
Chinc, chinc, chinc, chin, ling, ling ling