Elvis Presley – Polk Salad Annie

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“Polk Salad Annie” is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Tony Joe White. It was released as a single in 1969 and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was covered by Elvis Presley in 1970, and his version became a staple of his live performances during the 1970s.

Elvis Presley first heard “Polk Salad Annie” on the radio in 1969 and was immediately captivated by it. He called his producer, Chips Moman, and told him that he had to record the song. Moman was initially reluctant, as he didn’t think the song was a good fit for Elvis, but he eventually agreed.

Elvis recorded “Polk Salad Annie” on June 15, 1970, at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. The song was recorded live in the studio, with Elvis accompanied by his band and the Memphis Horns. The recording features a driving rhythm and Elvis’s passionate vocals.

Elvis released “Polk Salad Annie” as a single on July 20, 1970. The song was a commercial success, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart. It was also a hit in the UK, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.

Elvis performed “Polk Salad Annie” live many times throughout his career. The song was a highlight of his concerts in the 1970s, and he often extended the song to include lengthy instrumental breaks.

Let’s enjoy the song through the video!

For an immersive experience of Elvis Presley’s “Polk Salad Annie” check out the official video. Let the King’s soulful voice transport you to a realm of musical brilliance.

Here are the lyrics of the song!

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 tame

Polk 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 woman

Everyday 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 sack

Polk 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, yeah

But 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 truck

For once Polk salad Annie
‘Gators got your granny
Everybody said it was a shame
For the mama was working on the chain-gang

Sock 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