Poke Salad Annie
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"Poke Salad Annie" or "Polk Salad Annie" is a 1969 song written and performed by Tony Joe White. It was recorded in Muscle Shoals, AL. Its lyrics describe the lifestyle of a generic Southern girl. Traditionally, the term to describe the type of food highlighted in the song is "poke salad." Its 1969 single release peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Elvis Presley immediately picked up the song, which became a staple of his live performances of the 70s. He recorded it on several occasions: "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" (documentary film, 1970), "On Stage" (1970) and "Elvis: As Recorded At Madison Square Garden" (1972). From the Garden version on, it featured a rare fuzz bass solo by Jerry Scheff.
The term Poke Salad is erroneous. It is actually Poke Sallet. Salad refers to greens, such as lettuce, that are eaten raw. Sallet refers to greens, such as collards, that are eaten after cooking.[citation needed] Sallet is an old English word.[citation needed] Poke Sallet is poisonous to mammals but not to birds. If eaten by humans, it must be cooked properly to prevent severe gastrointestinal distress which can lead to death.[citation needed]
