Pretty Polly
The Kinks · Other Songs - The Kinks
Polly wouldn't listen to her mama,
Polly wouldn't listen to her papa.
She tried to make the swinging city scene,
And now there's not a place that polly hasn't been.
Polly, pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty polly garter
Oh, I think that pretty polly should have stayed at home.
Pretty polly, dressed as jolly as can be,
She's so darling, all the fellas do agree,
And half a million people can't be wrong,
Oh, I think that pretty polly should have stayed at home.
Polly wrote a letter to her mama,
Polly made confessions to her papa.
Mummy's proud 'cause polly's still in chains
She's happy now her baby's coming home again.
Pretty polly, she learned that life is just a game,
She is sorry, she just had to break the chains.
And mama knows, 'cause mama was the same
Oh, she's happy now her baby's coming home again.
Polly, pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty pretty pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty polly garter
Oh, polly, pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty pretty pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty polly garter
I think that pretty polly should have stayed at home.
Polly wouldn't listen to her papa.
She tried to make the swinging city scene,
And now there's not a place that polly hasn't been.
Polly, pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty polly garter
Oh, I think that pretty polly should have stayed at home.
Pretty polly, dressed as jolly as can be,
She's so darling, all the fellas do agree,
And half a million people can't be wrong,
Oh, I think that pretty polly should have stayed at home.
Polly wrote a letter to her mama,
Polly made confessions to her papa.
Mummy's proud 'cause polly's still in chains
She's happy now her baby's coming home again.
Pretty polly, she learned that life is just a game,
She is sorry, she just had to break the chains.
And mama knows, 'cause mama was the same
Oh, she's happy now her baby's coming home again.
Polly, pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty pretty pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty polly garter
Oh, polly, pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty pretty pretty pretty pollyanna,
Pretty polly garter
I think that pretty polly should have stayed at home.
Pretty Polly
Released in 1966, "Pretty Polly" stands as a defining track in The Kinks' catalog, showcasing Ray Davies' sharp wit and distinctive vocal delivery. The song captures the essence of the British Invasion with its satirical take on a young woman's vanity, delivered through a catchy, upbeat rhythm that became a staple of the era's pop landscape. As part of The Kinks' broader discography, the recording exemplifies the band's ability to blend humor with social commentary, cementing their status as pioneers of rock and roll in the United Kingdom. Its enduring popularity highlights the group's unique ability to craft memorable songs that resonate across generations.