In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Holly came from Miami, F.L.A.
Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A.
Plucked her eyebrows on the way
Shaved her legs and then he was a she
She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
Candy came from out on the island
In the backroom, she was everybody's darlin'
But she never lost her head
Even when she was givin' head
She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
And the colored girls go
Do-do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do, do
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
"Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey Joe, take a walk on the wild side"
Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets
Lookin' for soul food and a place to eat
Went to the Apollo
You should have seen him 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 is just speedin' away
Thought she was James Dean for a day
Then I guess she had to crash
Valium would have helped that bash
She said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
And the colored girls say
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do, do
Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A.
Plucked her eyebrows on the way
Shaved her legs and then he was a she
She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
Candy came from out on the island
In the backroom, she was everybody's darlin'
But she never lost her head
Even when she was givin' head
She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
And the colored girls go
Do-do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do, do
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
"Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey Joe, take a walk on the wild side"
Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets
Lookin' for soul food and a place to eat
Went to the Apollo
You should have seen him 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 is just speedin' away
Thought she was James Dean for a day
Then I guess she had to crash
Valium would have helped that bash
She said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
And the colored girls say
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do, do
Lyrics submitted by magicnudiesuit
Walk On The Wild Side Lyrics as written by Lou Reed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
The characters are as follows:
HOLLY came from Miami, FLA: Holly Woodlawn (Haraldo Santiago Franceschi Rodriguez Danhakl b.1946,Puerto Rico)The endearing transvestite recognized by her overbite and crooked teeth, is most memorable for her seriocomic performance in the film "Trash". For some reason, many mistakenly think she is no longer living, which is far from true at this writing('07)
CANDY came from out on the Island: (James Lawrence Slattery 1944-74Long Island NY) Feminine,pretty, ex-male Candy Darling performed in several Warhol/Morrissey projects.She died of cancer in the mid 70s.
LITTLE JOE never once gave it away:Superhot and 'straight' Joe D'allessandro (1948 Pensacola, Fla) was the star of several full-length cinema projects by Paul Morrissey in Andy Warhol's Factory studio. A butch brooklyn streetkid who turned to gayhustling before his discovery by Warhol/Morrissey who exploited Joes universal sexappeal.He's now an icon of underground cinema and gay subculture.
SUGARPLUM FAIRY came and hit the streets: Joe Campbell's nickname. He appeared in Andy Warhol's Nude Restaurant(1967) and very briefly in two others but is not seen in later projects.
JACKIE is just speeding away: Multi-talented Jackie Curtis (John Holder Jr.1947-85 NYNY)performed both in and out of drag in films and onstage as well as being a prolific writer.He died of accidental H overdose.
These characters along with many others made up the unique group of subculture speedfreaks, wannabees, and genderbenders known as Andy Warhol's Superstars. They contributed their various talents to multiple Warhol-related projects during the late-60's thru early 70's pop art/trash/underground cinema, art and social scene. You can enter thier names on youtube to find lots of videos of these people, but if you are really interested,seek and watch the films of Paul Morrissey under the heading "andy warhol's" or "AW presents" Candy, Holly, and Jackie are Hilarious in the trash classic - Women in Revolt. Mike
WOW, what a fantastic comment!
a real great summary of Warhols' Superstars.
@InYourMind An interesting description of art, calling these people trash. Must be really easy for people to separate themselves from this trash, not having to travel down this path. I say take a walk on the wild side. Babe.
@InYourMind If only the POPE was mentioned [Ondine]
This is about transvestites who come to New York City and become prostitutes. "Take a walk on the wild side" is what they say to potential customers.
Each verse introduces a new character. There is Holly, Candy, Little Joe, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Jackie. The characters that are all cronies of the infamous Andy Warhol Factory, as was Lou.
"Little Joe" refers to Joe Dallesandero, who was also one of Andy's kids in the factory. He was in several films by Warhol. Sugar Plum Fairy is the nickname of actor Joe Campbell.
"Holly," "Candy," and "Jackie" are based on Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, and Jackie Curtis. They are all real drag queens who appeared in Warhol's 1972 movie Women In Revolt. Woodlawn also appeared in Warhol's 1970 movie Trash, and Curtis was in Warhol's 1968 movie Flesh.
Reed: "I always thought it would be kind of fun to introduce people to characters they maybe hadn't met before, or hadn't wanted to meet."
This was not banned by the notoriously conservative BBC or by many US radio stations because censors did not understand phrases like "giving head." Depending on the regional US market, the song was edited for what we now call political correctness. Reed leads into the female vocalists' "Doo, doo-doo" hook with the words, "And the colored girls say," but some stations played a version that replaced the phrase with, "And the girls all say." In 1972, 3 to 3-1/2 minute songs were still the rule for radio, so this was edited accordingly.
Reed struggled with his sexuality for most of his life. His parents even tried to "cure" his homosexuality. This came out at a time when audiences were intrigued by cross-dressing and homosexuality in music. "Glam Rock," where the performers wore feminine clothes, was big, and artists like Bowie and Elton John were attracting fans both gay and straight.
Reed was never strictly homosexual..just figured I'd clarify that. He claimed bisexuality for years, and then later revoked it, saying he merely became comfortable with and having "developed a taste" for men (as well as women) after doing some experimenting.
@JosephWolf <br /> Also Holly and Candy were/are transgender women. They were not drag queens.
This is about Warhol's "Superstars," Holly is Holly Woodlawn, Little Joe is Joe Dallesandro, Candy is Candy Darling, and Jackie is Jackie Curtis.
it's amazing that they play this song on the radio. it's a great song though. lou reed and david bowie, alright!
Its about Holly Woodlawn, a transexual that was an Andy Warhol superstar.
@magicnudiesuit That they played a line like "even when she was givin' head" is a breakthrough in that it passed through their censor-meter
Lou Reed was one of the regulars at The Factory and his music contributed to the atmosphere that Andy Warhol liked and needed to create his art. Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, Joe Dallesandro (the most frequent actor in Warhols short films), Joe Campbell (Sugar Plum Fairy) and Jackie Curtis. Candy Darling was also the subject of Lou Reed's song 'Candy Says'. Lou Reed and Andy Warhol had a fallout between the band The Velvet Underground when they both wanted to take the band in different direction. Lou Reed later recorded the album Songs For Drella (Andy Warhols nickname - Dracula and Cinderella) which was an apology to Warhol.
@sterile.stars Lou Reed never went to The Factory and he DESPISED anyone who had anything to do with it - ESPECIALLY Warhol
Thanks, JosephWolf, for a comprehensive and (as far as I know) accurate analysis of this song. And I agree that the song escaped being banned only because back in the 70's most people didn't know what "giving head" meant!
roger_wilco's right. This song IS about all that went down with Warhol and his cronies. Mostly about transexuals, might I add.
This song is awesome and its just nice and simple. I love Lou's voice and how he is kinda singing and just kinda telling some stories.
It was about Andy warhol's factory people. But mainly Candy Darling.
supposedly written about Andy Warhol's entourage.
Lou and ol' Andy used to share needles or something. :)