Songs Of Sex Workers Vol. 1 - A Tribute To The World’s Oldest Profession

 Songs Of Sex Workers Vol. 1

There’s no questioning that prostitution is the world’s oldest profession—which may explain why there are so many songs written about it.  The Songs Of Sex Workers series is heavy on oldies but goodies… but then, so is the staff here at JOKONKY!

One of the strangest songs recorded in the sixties leads off Vol. 1.  Bobby Gentry sings in Fancy about how her mother turned her out!  Merle Haggard’s experience was similar—except it was his mother turning tricks.  Shel Silverstein’s classic Acapulco Goldie is exactly the kind of Shel song that no one could deliver better than Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show.

There are always a few tracks that almost have to be included.  Cher’s #1 hit Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves, for instance.  The narrative also involves a mother who’s a dancer in a traveling show, and: “Every night the men would come around, and lay their money down.”    Mothers who polite society frowned upon are a common theme in this installment.

You don’t even have to listen to Donna Summer’s Bad Girls to know it’s about prostitution (Beep beep!  Toot toot!). Surprisingly, Summer later turned down; It's Raining Men--which was written especially for her--because she was newly born again.  Everyone knows Roxanne is about a streetwalker—but I’d guess fewer knew that Killer Queen or Island Girl are.  

If I ever put together a comp about songs that should never be covered, Lady Marmalade would have to be on it.  Did you know it was written by Bob Crewe of Four Seasons' fame, and Kenny Nolan of I Like Dreaming’ fame?  Who could ever top New Orleans legends The Meters backing Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx, & Sarah Dash?

Notorious grouchy pants Johnny Ramone never liked main songwriter Dee Dee’s song about hustling on 53rd & 3rd.  What was he whining about?  Joey had to sing it!  Longtime Ramones running buddy Debbie Harry gave the topic a female spin with Call Me, as did Sade.  

The Beatles and their musical offspring, Cheap Trick, both had songs that were about sex workers.  I don’t think I knew that Candy’s Room and Janie Jones were--before I started looking for songs for this comp.  Apparently Janie Jones was the first song written by The Clash.  Joe Strummer helped Mick Jones with the narrative after the music & chorus came to Jones while riding the bus.  According to legend, famous bass-smasher Paul Simonon’s part is one note because he hadn’t learned to play his instrument yet!  The titular character was an actual cabaret singer/vice queen who was embroiled in the 1960’s BBC Radio One “sex for airplay” scandal. 

Should we ever do our version of Desert Island Discs, Nick Gilder’s Hot Child In The City would likely be one of mine.  Harder to decide would be whether to pick the hit version or this fantastic live version from Midnight Special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEAcTAHxJiY.  

And while we’re on the subject, if you’ve never heard The Animals’ 1964 rendition of House Of The Rising Sun on The Ed Sullivan Show, you’re simply not living your best life.  Not to worry.  I’ve got you!