Introduction:
Polk Salad Annie, a high-energy rockabilly song, was released in 1957 and quickly became a signature tune for the legendary Elvis Presley. The song, penned by Texas songwriter Jimmy Driftwood, told a humorous story with quirky Southern references and playful lyrics. Presley’s energetic performance and the song’s catchy rhythm helped propel Polk Salad Annie to chart-topping success and million-seller status. It further solidified Presley’s position as a rock and roll icon during a pivotal year in the development of the genre.
Polk Salad Annie was not originally written for Presley. Jimmy Driftwood, known for his folk music compositions, had written and recorded the song himself in 1956. The song caught the attention of Presley’s producer, Sam Phillips , at Sun Records. Phillips recognized the song’s potential as a rock and roll anthem and believed it would be a perfect fit for Presley’s talents. Presley recorded Polk Salad Annie in February 1957, along with other soon-to-be hits like “Jailhouse Rock” and “Treat Me Nice.” Released in July 1957, Polk Salad Annie became an instant success.
The song’s quirky lyrics tell the story of a young woman named Polk Salad Annie who lives in the south. The song humorously describes her family members, including a lazy father, watermelon-stealing brothers, and a chain-gang working mother. The lyrics also interestingly reference a Southern food – polk salad – a leafy green vegetable sometimes foraged for and cooked.
Polk Salad Annie reached number 8 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in 1957. It was also a significant hit on the country and R&B charts, showcasing Presley’s early ability to transcend genre boundaries. The song’s success helped establish Presley as a major rock and roll star and broaden the genre’s reach to a wider audience.
Polk Salad Annie remains a popular and recognizable song from Presley’s early career. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years and continues to be a favorite among Presley fans for its playful lyrics, high-energy performance, and unique Southern charm.
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 right
Down 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 woman
Everyday 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 it
Sock a little polk salad to me
Her 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 gang
Yeah, sock a little polk salad to me, you know I need me a mess of itSock a little
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