Catholic Girls

Album: Joe's Garage (1979)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • It is quite likely Zappa wrote this particular song as a riposte to "Jewish Princess," which the ADL sought to have banned but succeeded only in generating publicity for. If one accepts the unlikely proposition that "Jewish Princess" is anti-Semitic, then "Catholic Girls" should have seen Zappa burned at the stake. It may be that the Church decided to treat it with contempt, or ignore it, or perhaps they genuinely didn't notice.

    Mary's transition on this triple concept album from Catholic girl to crew slut, to the rather sad contestant in a wet T-shirt contest is rapid, so perhaps Zappa was making a social point. Then again, perhaps he was just sticking up two fingers up to the world as he often did. "Catholic Girls" runs to 4 minutes 26 seconds. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 2

  • Gerald Fnord from Palos Verdes,ca.The line 'Kinda young, kinda wow!' was taken from a stupid, contemporaneous, television advertisement for a perfume called 'Charlie'.
  • Dan from North Haven, CtI grew up on frank's music and when I went to a catholic high school (class of 85) i was criticized by the head brother/principal/priest for wearing a zappa pin on my jacket (that's right folks, I started that fad in 1980) and he told me zappa was no good cuz he wrote a song about catholic girls going to CYO and were learning to give head there (paraphrasing). I was too much of a green horn to argue with him so I took the button off. If I was older and wiser I would have let him kow that I got my first ****job on a bus on a cyo field trip............thanks frank for all you gave us RIP
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.