Wanda the Worm Woman
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"Wanda the Worm Woman" (or simply "Wanda") is a song by The Residents, written and recorded for their 1990 album Freak Show.
History
"Wanda the Worm Woman" is about Wanda Wadkins, a sideshow geek at the album's eponymous freak show. The first half of the song, narrated by Tex the Ringleader, shows how the general public is disgusted by Wanda. Tex laments that he loves the soul he sees inside her, but can't bear to love her due to her grotesque appearance.
"Wanda the Worm Woman" was also featured in the 1994 Freak Show CD-ROM. It was performed live by The Freak Show Band at Freak Show Live in 1995; a recording of the Freak Show Band version of the song was released on the compilation album dot.com (under the name "Wanda") in 2000, and was later featured on the pREServed three CD edition of Freak Show in 2021.
An instrumental demo version, titled "Wanda Wanda", was released as an Eyeful download in 2012, and was later featured on the Eyeful compilation CD in 2020.
Liner notes
In freak show terminology, a geek is someone who does disgusting things in front of a paying audience. Wanda, who sucks worms for a living, fits this description perfectly. She is an overweight former nun who somehow manages to appear serenely sublime with worms dangling from her large voluptuous lips. Obsessed by God, eating, and of course, worms, Wanda also cries when she is alone late at night.[1]
Lyrics
Sneering at a leering lady as she stares and squirms At Wanda with her saintly smile and living wig of worms I like to watch their faces fall as we disgust and shame them Seeking suckers is my game - no longer lion taming.
Like a pink and pregnant pumpkin perched upon her neck Wanda Wadkins' head was hurting it was bitten by insects I watched the awkward way she waddled walking to the pail She always used to wash her worms and clean beneath her nails I love the soul I see inside her but I just can't love her Folding fat that rolls around like bowling balls in butter.
Wanda, Wanda, Wanda, Wanda...
Watch me, watch me, watch me, Won't you? Watch me for a while? Watch me pick my worms up and put them in a pile. Watch me sit upon it with My Mona Lisa smile.
Watch me, watch me Watch me watch me Watch me, won't you? Watch me, won't you? Won't you? Won't you? Won't you?
Watch me, watch me Watch me, watch me Watch me, watch me Ooohh, ooohh, oooh
Why, Wanda, why, do I always watch you cry?[2]
List of releases
- Freak Show (1990) [Version 1]
- In Memoriam Torso (1994) [Version 1]
- Freak Show CD-ROM (1994) [Version 1]
- dot.com (2000) [Version 2]
- Freak Show Special Edition (2002) [Version 1][Version 3]
- Eyeful download series (2011-2012) [Version 4]
- Eyeful (2020) [Version 4]
- Freak Show pREServed CD edition (2021) [Version 1][Version 2]
List of versions
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Folsom Street studio recording, April - October 1990 (4:34)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Freak Show Band live recording, November 1995 (4:54)
- ↑ Freak Show Band live recording, Archa Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic, November 1995 (3:54)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Instrumental studio demo recording, ca. 1990-2011 (2:15)
See also
- Freak Show pREServed CD edition at MVDShop (US)
- Freak Show pREServed CD edition at Cherry Red Records (UK/EU)
Listen online
- "Wanda the Worm Woman" (pREServed remaster) on Spotify
- "Wanda the Worm Woman" (pREServed remaster) on Apple Music
- "Wanda" (1995 Freak Show Live version) on Spotify
- "Wanda" (1995 Freak Show Live version) on Apple Music
External links and references
- ↑ Freak Show pREServed CD edition liner notes, 2021
- ↑ Ima Buddy, Ima Buddy's Totally Impartial Companion to Uncle Willie's Highly Opinionated BIG MAMAS, 1992