About the song
“Walk on the Wild Side” is a groundbreaking song that has become an iconic anthem of the counterculture movement. Released in 1972, the song was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson and features a unique blend of rock, pop, and art rock elements. The song’s lyrics, written by Lou Reed, are a series of vignettes about a group of individuals who frequent Andy Warhol’s New York studio, the Factory. The song’s characters include Holly Woodlawn, a transgender actress; Candy Darling, a transgender actress and model; Joe Dallesandro, an actor and model; Jackie Curtis, an actress and model; and Sugar Plum Fairy, a nickname for actor Joe Campbell.
The song’s lyrics are notable for their frank and unflinching portrayal of the characters and their experiences. The song touches on topics that were considered taboo at the time, including transgender people, drugs, male prostitution, and oral sex. Despite the controversy surrounding the song’s lyrics, “Walk on the Wild Side” became a huge commercial success, reaching number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1973.
The song’s musical arrangement is equally noteworthy, featuring a simple but effective chord progression, a memorable saxophone solo, and a distinctive bass line played by Herbie Flowers. The song’s production is credited to David Bowie and Mick Ronson, who brought their own unique sensibilities to the project. “Walk on the Wild Side” has been widely praised by critics and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It remains one of Lou Reed’s most beloved and enduring songs, and its influence can still be heard in music today.
Video
Lyrics
Holly came from Miami, FLA
Hitch-hiked her way across the USA
Plucked her eyebrows along the way
Shaved her legs and then he was a she
They said, “Hey, babe
Take a walk on the wild side”
I said, “Hey, babe
Take a walk on the wild side”
Alright
Candy came from out on the Island
In the back room she was everybody’s darling
But she never once lost her head
Even when she was giving head
She said, “Hey, babe
Take a walk on the wild side”
I said, “Hey, Candy
Take a walk on the wild side”
And the colored girls go
“Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo”
Little Joe never once gave it away
Everybody had to pay and pay
A hustle here and a hustle there
New York City’s the place
Where you said, “Hey, Joe
Take a walk on the wild side”
I said, “Hey, baby
Take a walk on the wild side”
Sugar Plum Fairy came down and hit the streets
Looking for soul food and for a place to eat
Went to the Apollo
You should’ve seen them go, go, go
They said, “Hey, sugar
Take a walk on the wild side”
I said, “Hey, babe
Take a walk on the wild side”
Alright
Huh
Jackie, she is just speeding away
She thought she was James Dean for a day
But then you know that she had to crash
Valium would have helped that bash
She said, “Hey, Jackie
Take a walk on the wild side”
I said, “Hey, babe
Take a walk on the wild side”
And the colored girls go
“Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo
Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo”