Blues Rock: The Vacation's "Destitute Prostitutes" from Band From World War Zero

“We're standing on the corner waiting to get born again—as human beings.”

That line from the Vacation’s “Destitute Prostitutes” off their Band From World War Zero album aptly describes everything Music Spectrum tries to present in these reviews of music mixed with reflections from the Christian faith. That streetwalker standing on the corner who looks so far from God is actually someone “achin’ to be” (to borrow from Paul Westerberg), achin’ to be born again in the hope, love, and forgiveness of Jesus.

The incredible rocking ferocity of the Vacation carries the strut of throwback rock with the bluesy vamps of early Rolling Stones come to find new sonically charged air four decades later. It’s much like what I’ve described about the music of the Blue Van, the Redwalls, and Blues Explosion. “Destitute Prostitutes” actually also has much of the swagger of T. Rex.

Take a look at how devastatingly honest the lyric is; whether literally or figuratively the prostitutes of society are “standing on the outside, looking at the inside.” Whoever is ostracized by society feels themselves to be the “track marks on cities’ arms,” and this song embraces that position in society as if to say, “I know you’re trying to ignore me, but I’m not going to let you.”

we walk the streets and boulevards
we're the track marks on cities' arms
we're destitute prostitutes
and we're out for blood, yeah, you know us

we fill our mouths with broken words
we strut and shout like dirty birds
we're destitute prostitutes
and we know our place is in our cage

(chorus):
we're standing on the outside
looking at the inside, baby
we're standing on the corner
waiting to get born again - as human beings

when you find yourself down on the floor
don't think of us...don't think at all.
we're destitute prostitutes
we're full of hate and we cannot be saved

This song challenges the Church to recognize the literal or figurative streetwalkers in society. We’d rather not even see that there are hookers out there on the corner, but this song doesn’t let us miss them. We’d rather not even see that there are people of questionable reputation all around us, but this songs shouts with loud guitars and gang singing choruses. In a way, it’s no different than what Jesus said to make the Pharisees realize that they couldn’t just ignore the tax collectors and prostitutes.

When a prostitute came to honor Jesus, a Pharisee grumbled to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

Jesus answers, “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little,” (Luke 7:39,47).

The “Destitute Prostitutes” sound as if they are yearning for that love and forgiveness, and the Church dare not ignore this song. . .or the ones who are singing it on the outside.

Thank you to the Vacation, Echo label, World’s Fair, and Chrysalis Music Group for the review copy.