The name 'Polythene Pam' came from the nickname of an early Beatles' fan from the Cavern Club days, named Pat Hodgett (now Dawson), who would often eat polythene. She became known as 'Polythene Pat'. She said in an interview, "I used to eat polythene all the time. I'd tie it in knots and then eat it. Sometimes I even used to burn it and then eat it when it got cold."
Structured as a limerick, the song is superficially about "a mythical Liverpool scrubber dressed up in her jackboots and kilt", the kind of girl who "makes the News of the World". The song is also sung in a very strong Liverpudlian "Scouse" accent. In actuality it was inspired by an evening that John spent with poet Royston Ellis and his girlfriend, Stephanie. The three wore bags made of "polythene", a common British contraction of polyethylene, and slept in the same bed out of curiosity about kinky sex. Incidentally, John would later admit in the 1980 interview with Playboy that Ellis was the first person to introduce The Beatles to drugs when he showed them how to get high from the strips inside a Benzedrine inhaler. It was in this interview that John supplied the details of this event but refused to elaborate further.
Polythene Pam
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's so good-looking but she looks like a man
Well, you should see her in drag dressed in her polythene bag
Yes, you should see Polythene Pam
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Get a dose of her in jackboots and kilt
She's killer-diller when she's dressed to the hilt
She's the kind of a girl that makes the "News of the World"
Yes, you could say she was attractively built
Yeah, yeah, yeah
"Polythene Pam" is a song by the Beatles that appears on their album "Abbey Road". It was composed by John Lennon and features him on lead vocals. The lyrics describe a woman named Polythene Pam who is "good-looking but she looks like a man." The singer is encouraged to see her in drag, dressed in her polythene bag. The song goes on to describe her in different outfits such as jackboots and a kilt or dressed to the hilt. She is presented as a striking and attractive figure who would make the news.
The meaning behind the song has been the subject of much speculation. Some have suggested that it was written about a real-life acquaintance of John Lennon's, while others see it as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the glamor and excitement of the rock and roll lifestyle. The line "she's so good-looking but she looks like a man" has been interpreted as a nod to the gender-bending style of some rockstars of the time, such as David Bowie.
Despite the ambiguity of the lyrics, "Polythene Pam" remains a popular song among Beatles fans. Its catchy melody and playful lyrics capture the carefree spirit of the late 60s when the song was written.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you should see Polythene Pam
The singer thinks that the listener should see a person named Polythene Pam.
She's so good-looking but she looks like a man
Polythene Pam is an androgynous person who is attractive but looks like a man.
Well, you should see her in drag dressed in her polythene bag
The singer thinks that the listener should see Polythene Pam dressed in drag and wearing a polythene bag as an outfit.
Yes, you should see Polythene Pam
The artist emphasizes that the listener should really see Polythene Pam.
Get a dose of her in jackboots and kilt
The artist suggests that seeing Polythene Pam dressed in jackboots and kilt would be an interesting experience.
She's killer-diller when she's dressed to the hilt
Polythene Pam looks fantastic and admirable when she's completely dressed up.
She's the kind of a girl that makes the "News of the World"
Polythene Pam is the kind of person that would be featured in tabloid news.
Yes, you could say she was attractively built
The artist thinks that Polythene Pam's physical appearance is attractive and well-proportioned.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
The artist repeats a phrase to emphasize their viewpoint.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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