Polk Street Rag

Album: Octoberon (1976)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This uptempo John Lees composition was inspired by the film Deep Throat, a low budget and somewhat off-beat sex comedy that was released in 1972; it became a massive box office success, bringing its leading actress, Linda Lovelace, worldwide celebrity and notoriety virtually overnight. In the film, Lovelace plays a woman with a strange anatomical peculiarity. The phrase "deep throat" refers to a sexual act which needs no elaborating here; it has since become a popular culture reference; Deep Throat was the pseudonym used for an informant in the Watergate affair.
  • Polk Street is a notorious red light district of San Francisco; the band were there when Deep Throat was released. The most noticeable feature of "Polk Street Rag" is the undisguised contempt of the lyric, and in the singer's voice. This contempt is richly deserved. Prior to making Deep Throat, Lovelace had "starred" in a film that can only be described as vile and utterly depraved.

    Eventually, she turned against the porn industry with a vengeance, and made all manner of lurid allegations against her ex-husband, who had also been her manager, blaming him rather than herself for her descent into depravity. It is doubtful if Lees knew any of this when he wrote "Polk Street Rag" but he sums up Lovelace poetically: "Was it in your mind, 'cause it sure wasn't out of sight." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.