Walk on the Wild Side
Lou Reed Lyrics

Holly came from Miami, F.L.A.
Holly, a person who was originally from Miami, Florida, hitchhiked across the United States to get where she wanted to go.

Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A.
Holly did not have a car to drive across the country, so she stood by the side of the road with her thumb up, asking strangers for rides.

Plucked her eyebrows on the way
As Holly hitchhiked across the country, she paid attention to her appearance, making sure her eyebrows were perfectly groomed.

Shaved her legs and then he was a she
Holly made a significant change in her appearance by shaving her legs, which was one step in the process of transitioning to a different gender identity.

She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Holly invites others to join her on an unconventional, adventurous journey that may be a bit outside the norm but can be thrilling and exciting.

Said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
Holly beckons out to the masses and encourages them to take risks and try something new that could be an eye-opening and enjoyable experience.

Candy came from out on the island
Candy was born on a distant isle and arrived in New York City from there.

In the backroom, she was everybody's darlin'
At the nightclub, Candy was a popular performer who was adored by everyone who saw her.

But she never lost her head
Despite the attention, Candy remained level-headed and did not become too egotistical or arrogant.

Even when she was givin' head
Candy held on to her values, remaining true to herself, even in intimate moments.

And the colored girls go
The background vocals are provided by a chorus of Black women, who give soulful melodies to accompany the lead vocals.

Little Joe never once gave it away
Little Joe was careful to protect his reputation and always made sure he gained something before giving away anything valuable.

Everybody had to pay and pay
People always had to sacrifice something of value in order to cross paths with Little Joe or to attain something he had access to.

A hustle here and a hustle there
Little Joe was always thinking about how he could make a quick dollar, sometimes acting a bit shifty in his dealings with others.

New York City is the place where they said
The city of New York was the epicenter of Little Joe's business dealings, and everyone who was anyone knew that's where they could find him.

Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets
Sugar Plum Fairy was a new arrival to the New York City scene, setting foot in the city with great expectations and lots of energy.

Lookin' for soul food and a place to eat
Sugar Plum Fairy had come to the city with a deep hunger for experiences and a yearning for deeper connections with people she met along the way.

Went to the Apollo
Sugar Plum Fairy made a pilgrimage to one of the most legendary music venues in the city, where she hoped to find inspiration and a chance to connect with her passion for music.

You should have seen him go, go, go
Sugar Plum Fairy was electrified by the music and the performers, and danced with a wild energy, completely consumed by the moment.

Jackie is just speedin' away
Jackie is moving quickly through life, always in a hurry to get somewhere—but not necessarily with a specific destination in mind.

Thought she was James Dean for a day
Jackie has a rebellious spirit and identifies with the legendary actor James Dean, who was known for breaking the rules and refusing to conform.

Then I guess she had to crash
Jackie's fast-paced, reckless lifestyle eventually caught up with her, leading to a serious mishap or a moment of reckoning.

Valium would have helped that bash
In retrospect, Jackie may have been able to avoid her downfall if she had taken a step back and had some time to reflect or medicate to calm her nerves.

And the colored girls say
The chorus of Black women continues to provide backing vocals, adding an extra element of soulfulness and musicality to the track.