Avenging Annie

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“Avenging Annie”

Single by Andy Pratt from the album Andy Pratt
B-side	"So Fine (It's Frightening)"
Released	1973
Format	7" single
Recorded	1972
Genre	Rock
Length	5:08
Label	Columbia Records
Writer(s)	Andy Pratt
Producer	John Nagy

"Avenging Annie" is the sole single released by Andy Pratt. This song, from the viewpoint of a "mythical heroine," (and based partially on Woody Guthrie's "The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd" as interpreted by The Byrds), is sung by Pratt mostly in falsetto, accompanied by cat, piano and guitar (both forwards and backwards).^[1] The song rides on Pratt's classically-influenced piano through the painful story of his first marriage, which he reworks as an American Outlaw West fantasy reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde, or Annie Oakley. At the end, the heroine finds "peace and release" on her own. The song was covered by Roger Daltrey, who shied away from taking the woman's part in the song. His version, which appeared on his third solo album and several compilations, also lacked the complex syncopations of Pratt's.

The record, produced by John Nagy with additional production suggestions from Clive Davis, went to number one in New Orleans and Providence. Rick Shlosser played drums on the record. Pratt's career was managed at the time by Beatles lawyer Nat Weiss.

Author Carmenica Diaz was inspired by Pratt's most successful song to date to write the book "Avenging Annie".