Polythene Pam (Lennon/McCartney)
“Polythene Pam” was two people John knew from earlier in life, one being a groupie who actually ate polythene, and the girlfriend of a friend of John’s who dressed in polythene.
Quotes
“That was me, remembering a little event with a woman in Jersey, and a man who was England’s answer to Allen Ginsberg…I met him when we were on tour and he took me back to his apartment and I had a girl and he had one he wanted me to meet. He said she dressed up in polythene, which she did. She didn’t wear jack boots and kilts, I just sort of elaborated. Perverted sex in a polythene bag. Just looking for something to write about.” – John Lennon
“I liked ‘Polythene Pam’ because of its Liverpool-ness. Nobody writes comic stuff that still has a certain seriousness about it. ‘Polythene Pam’ was a really good rock ‘n’ roll song, but it bothers me sometimes when [there’s] something so obviously funny and nobody laughs and nobody ever gets it.” – George Harrison
Personnel
- John Lennon – lead vocal, 12-string acoustic guitar
- Paul McCartney – backing vocal, bass guitar
- George Harrison – backing vocal, lead guitars
- Ringo Starr – drums
- Unknown – tambourine, maracas, cowbell, “whipcrack” percussion
Release history
- Abbey Road (1969)
- Anthology 3 (1996) [demo]
- The Beatles Anniversary Edition (2018) [demo]
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [2019 mix]
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [take 27]
- Abbey Road Anniversary Edition (2019) [as part of “The Long One” trial edit]
Notable covers
- Booker T. & the MGs (from McLemore Avenue)
