Not everyone appreciates this song, but I love it. Don't give up on the band if this song doesn't do it for you. They are one of the most influential bands in history. It's said that only a few thousand people bought their albums, but everyone who did started a band.
@orchidwave2574 I think that VU is incredibly important, but the 60s attitudes about drugs was massively destructive. You can claim this doesn't promote heroin use, but I've known people who got hooked because their heroes (Lou Reed, William Burroughs, etc.) used.
@@lipby I'm guess I'm glad VU recorded it, because it's intrinsic to their overall identity and legacy - and there are musically interesting choices made here that other groups wouldn't attempt or think of...it's integral to their catalog but I just can't get anything out of listening to it anymore, the way I can with lots of other VU songs that are similarly dark, seamy, gritty and minimalist. I don't even know why.
"The Velvet Underground & Nico", (1967) among the most impactful albums in history. Brian Eno commented that although the Album "Only sold 30,000 copies, everyone who bought one of those started a band!" This is kind of true, as the Early-70s NY and Detroit Underground scenes were mostly inspired by "Velvet". Similarly the Early-70's Theatrical-Rock of Bowie, Alice Cooper, etc. If you want more, try "All Tomorrows Parties" a great song about the alienated social scene around NY's Andy Warhol. For some more controversial topics,,, "Venus In Furs" is a bizarre journey through an unsettling soundscape.
The drone at the beginning that gives the song a hymnlike quality before turning into screeching feedback before reverting to its original sound is John Cale's viola. Lou was definitely the band's focal point but a lot of the sound of the first two albums comes from Cale and his avant garde background and outlook. Sterling Morrison and Nico died young. Lou died about ten years ago. Cale and Mo Tucker are still creating.
Loved your reaction, they are very diverse so react to another one. "I'm waiting for the man" is a track of them about smack that you could relate to too.
Ned here again Dr Lee. An excellent choice and not an easy one, so kudos for making it all the way through. Your personal connection to heroin, which I have never done, makes your reaction to it so much stronger. The VU did a lot experimental songs and some that are lighter as well as straight rockers. John Cale is a classical trained musician, put out many dark, moody albums, produced The Stooges 1st LP . Both Lou and John kept going through the 70s Punk years and fit right in there. Reed had a lot of success up until his death and Cale is still going strong.
There is a very good version of the song Heroin, on Lou Reeds "Rock and Roll Animal " album, recorded live at the 14th Street Academy of Music, in Manhattan.
L33, I am so glad you are sober, you have so much to offer. Back in my day we did a lot of things, pot mostly, acid, shrooms - some got into coke, but I never did. But, as my friends and I have said we (white suburban, ;70s college folks) never even met anybody who had seen heroin. But my daughter, my nieces and nephews all have seen good friends die from opiates. This song is what I imagined a rush and crash from shooting up was like and it is the closest I ever want to get to it. As for everyone being able to benefit from getting clean from addiction, I can't agree. But I'll just say that I've crawled out of other deep, deep crap in my life and I feel like I am better for it. So maybe more generally overcoming things makes us better. Or at least feel better.
Same. Back in the early ‘70s it was weed acid and shrooms at least for suburban kids. Anything that created such a strong addiction that needles were involved I stayed away from.
I'm not surprised that "Heroin" is getting "mixed" responses from the Comments. This has always been an unsettling Album, and it was hugely controversial in 1967. Now considered "Art-Rock/Shock-Rock", it explored many controversial topics like "Heroin" and "I'm Waiting for The Man", which were actually autobiographical subjects for the Band. This Album is an authentic expression of the underground NY culture of 1966/67, which was a wild and dangerous time for musicians/artists. The Album uses very experimental "avant garde" musical techniques, which are still shocking audiences decades later.
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. The term "Junkie" implies an "addict", which may not have applied to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene had a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even casual heroin use in mid-1960's was very dangerous. It involved street dealing, serious prison time, and potential overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. Using the term "Junkie" implies the Band were "Addicts", which might not apply to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene was interacting with a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even if it was just "casual" heroin use, in mid-1960's this was still very dangerous. Heroin involved street dealing, serious prison time, and always the potential for overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. Using the term "Junkie" implies the Band were "Addicts", which might not apply to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene was interacting with a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even if it was just "casual" heroin use, in mid-1960's this was still very dangerous. Heroin involved street dealing, serious prison time, and always the potential for overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. Using the term "Junkie" implies the Band were "Addicts", which might not apply to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene was interacting with a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even if it was just "casual" heroin use, in mid-1960's this was still very dangerous. Heroin involved street dealing, serious prison time, and always the potential for overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. Using the term "Junkie" implies the Band were "Addicts", which might not apply to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene was interacting with a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even if it was just "casual" heroin use, in mid-1960's this was still very dangerous. Heroin involved street dealing, serious prison time, and always the potential for overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
The video is clips from Andy Warhol's movie The Velvet Underground (1966). The movie is just a filmed jam session, so the sound is not the song "Heroin." At the end of the movie, in addition to Andy, I spotted Billy Name wearing suspenders with his camara, I think Henry Geldzahler in a white short sleeve shirt with a newspaper, and Gerard Malanga in a turtleneck telling everyone they had to leave. Paul Morrissey was filming. You can watch it here on RUclips: watch?v=ot8JrMaY8yY The blonde is Nico, and the little boy in front of the band is her son. She never sang "Heroin," at least not to my knowledge. Lou Reed sang most of the album. Nico sang a few songs, and she was there only because Andy insisted. The band did not want her. I know Nico only from her songs on this album and her performance in Andy's movie I a Man (1967), but she did do some solo work after she left the Factory. I don't think she was at the Factory more than a couple of years (1966-67). As for Andy, he produced the album and had the Velvets play at a few of his installations. John Cale said that Andy had nothing to do with the Velvet Underground. Lou Reed said Andy had everything to do with the Velvet Underground. Both are right. Andy provided no musical input apart from forcing them to let Nico sing on the first album, but the Velvet Underground would have gotten no attention whatsoever without their association with Andy Warhol.
@@richarddefortuna2252 Now that you mention it, I remember that. I saw La dolce vita many years ago, but I didn't know to watch out for Nico, and I haven't seen the film since.
Have you seen the. Multi-part series, “The Warhol Diaries?” fascinating stuff from his diaries after he was shot. Saw the Warhol/Basquiat exhibit at the Fondation Louis Vuitton here in Paris last year. Very historic….
@@johnnyfrederick01 I have seen an read a lot about Warhol over decades. So I have difficulty keeping track of sources. I may have seen The Warhol Diaries, but I just don't remember. I saw an exhibition of work by Warhol and Basquiat, but that was probably twenty years ago, either in Fort Worth or in Houston. I think at the Kimball in Fort Worth. Most of the interviews and articles I've read have been remarkably kind toward Andy even while granting the chaotic atmosphere of the Factory before the shooting. I suspect there was sort of a mutual exploitation involved. Paul Morrissey is really the only exception. He seems to harbor a real resentment towards Andy and feels that he himself never got the credit he deserved. Given Andy's approach to art and how he talked about things in interviews, I can see how Paul's stories might be true, but the way he tells them sounds self-aggrandizing. After the shooting, Andy found a way to get everybody to quit hanging around while avoiding confrontations. Brigid Berlin was the only exception. She had taken Paul's place as office-manager and keeper of the appointment book, and she remained a fixture for years. I don't remember whether she was there to the end or whether she left around 1980 to take care of her ailing mother, but she was there long after everyone else had wandered off. Andy got rid of Paul by moving his desk closer and closer to the door. Then when the Factory moved, Paul just didn't have a desk anymore. While Andy was in the hospital, Paul did the final editing of Lonesome Cowboys and filmed Flesh (with Andy's permission, of course). Paul's putting his own name in the credits as director of Flesh could well have been what motivated Andy to get rid of him. I've never heard anybody say that, but the timing fits. Paul's attitude is a lot like John Cale's. He should have incorporated some of Lou Reed's gratitude to balance it out. After all, Andy did continue to allow his name to be attached to Paul's movies up through Blood for Dracula (1974). Lou Reed and Mo Tucker both said the band was hardly ever at the Factory. But if they were really that distant, why would Lou write so intimately about Factory people in "Walk on the Wild Side"? John and Lou really were both telling the truth.
Lou Reed on vocals and guitar. Lou Reed's big hit was "Take a walk on the wild side" Doot do doot do doot do doot do da Doot etc..The blonde lady is Nico. For getting off heroin you have my complete respect. I too was once an I.V. user. Thank you for all you do.
Six years sober from 25 years of horrendous alcoholism, congrats to u, & i get the vibe it already is for u, but every year away from the poisons just gets better & better:) …anyway, the famous saying about this band is that this album only sold 5000 copies but because of it 100,000 bands were started (something like that, I fecked it up), but this album is truly great, so eclectic, it started, spawned, birthed, like 50 separate genres of music …VU was genius…Bowie loved them & helped out Lou once Bowie got famous…its a long, twisted, epic tale in the history of rock, & art.
Congratulations on your sobriety. 30 years myself. It's pretty amazing you got clean during covid. It can't be overstated how influential VU were. They weren't great musicians, and their songs weren't catchy, but they did things no other rock bands had ever done and changed the course of rock music.
Andy Warhol was the "producer" only in a vague movie biz kind of sense. In 1966 and 1967 he funded and launched a multimedia show called The Exploding Plastic Inevitable in which the Velvet Underground were the musical component and Nico, mostly working as a model at the time, was also involved. He acted as the band's manager in the sense that he promoted them largely by association with his celebrity status and was doubtless the reason they got a recording contract.
The combination of the lyrics with the way the music ebbs and flows, simulating the high/need cycle, and getting progressively chaotic/entropic, it just gets me every time. I think it's a masterpiece. By no means easy to listen to , but an amazing experience nonetheless. Thanks for your reaction!
Heroin is one the most important, best and under-appreciated songs from the 60's. You can hear the next 30 years of music in it. People listening to it started some of the most important bands for the next twenty years. Rolling Stone called it the one song to listen to as you drove your car down the freeway at 100 mph. It has been my North Star for decades now.
You are correct when you say don't be a "lifer" (here they are called "flounders"). You made some bad decisions, wandered in darkness, found your way out, now take what you learned and build your life from there (generic you, not you personally). Most people "in recovery" continue to use between periods of abstinence. That's what in recovery means. In and out of "programs" founded on an ideology of powerlessness. I can't imagine anything more self-defeating. Flounders. My people would tell me they had a "relapse" and I'd say there is no such thing, you changed your mind about being clean and sober. Why? Maybe because you can still get away with it by being "in recovery"? They'd be like "You don't understand!" Oh, I understand alright. My "clean time" is now in decades although I don't keep track of it. It's rather unremarkable when someone does something and then they stop doing it. Still all these years later i sometimes look back and shudder. I'm very fortunate to be alive. I suppose there is a reason for that. I don't think it's possible to counsel other addicts unless you have experienced the insanity of it yourself. If that's what you are doing I wish you well in your good work
Check put the 'Loaded' album, a bit more mainstream, with some great tunes: Sweet Jane, Rock and Roll Music, etc... Keep up the great work you have a lot to live for!!
I'm a recently retired prison guard and I have to tell you a story from a short time ago. I was on duty when I got a report of a prisoner who was being held up by another inmate. I responded as quickly as I could and performed CPR on him. It was in vain and I could tell that almost immediately, we gave him 3 shots of Narcan but to no affect. At the prison we do the best we can but we also call the professionals and I gave him over as soon as the paramedics got there. He was a 26 year old male and he died there on the floor. Yes it was fentanyl and I just can't see why anyone would do this. I heard from a few others confidentially that others got high from that same batch later that night, they just didn't care. Thank you for listening.
Extremely wise words at the end. And congratulations on your family and also your line of work, which I think it would be frustrating but also damn awesome. Wow man I cannot believe the first time I heard this and then we played it all the time with my roommates and also at places where we hung out with other friends. For the time it's an incredible description of everything like that even.
This is one of those songs that changed the world for me, also one of those songs that open doors that can be very painful. It also jumps to 'Waiting for the Man' in my head, which covers another side of the drugs experience.
The beginnings of indie rock. Not all their songs sound like this and not all of them are about drugs. Their most mainstream songs are "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll", if you want to check out something of theirs that got played on classic rock radio. Their craziest, most notorious song is probably "Sister Ray", but they have some really beautiful songs too like "Sunday Morning", "I'll Be Your Mirror" and "I Found a Reason". Other songs in many shapes in sizes too. The first few studio albums are all essential.
TVU are my favorite group from the this era, hands down. It's like the music equivalent of a gritty cult movie ... raw, real, beautiful and just weird enough to keep you engaged. Something like that. You should react to their self-titled album. And 'White Light/White Heat' which is a full on trip.
Maureen's drumming reminds me of hoofbeats on this song, ranging from a slow hesitant trot, all the way to full gallop. Remarkable, brilliant and quite out of the mainstream for drumming. I believe the bass drum was played lying of the floor with her kneeling in front of it. Someone later made her a custom stand.
For anyone interested, there's a really good documentary on YT about VU's self-taught drummer: "Foundation Velvet: The Drumming Of Maureen 'Moe' Tucker - A Documentary By Cam Forrester".
Released in March of 1967, just a few months prior to the Summer of Love, this album was the polar opposite of all the groovy, happy, sunshiny music of the rest of 1967. While everyone was feeling groovy, Lou and the band were singing about the underbelly of NYC with drug addiction, S&M fetish, debauchery... I've written this before but here it comes again. A high school teacher back around 1977 (I graduated in 1978) told me about the Velvet Underground. I know who Lou Reed was but was too young between 1967 and 1970 when they were a band to know of them. So anyway, that teacher also told me that the trick is to be on the same drugs they were on when making the music to get into their mindset and understand the music better. Sage advice that would get a teacher imprisoned for today. Another teacher at that same school, a woman, said she was at Woodstock and found a cereal box full of pills. She said she didn't take any of it though... I believe her.
A good friend of mine has a son who is in his thirties now. I remember talking to him sometimes when he was six or seven years old. Then I didn't see him for nearly thirty years. When I met him again he was a fully grown man. he was staying with his dad for a bit while he got some things together. I was really happy to see him again, but he seemed distant. He spent most of his time collecting trash from dumpsters and alleyways which he would fill his room with. I thought this behaviour was a bit odd. After some inquiry I found out that some exemplary human being had got him hooked on heroin when he was twelve years old. Twelve years old, man! He had survived this way into his thirties, but it had absolutely wrecked any chance he had for a good life. He was actually clean the last I heard. Wasn't easy either. My prayers go with him. I hope he can recover enough to have some kind of life, even if it's a simple one. He deserves some happiness.
A few others have mentioned the live Lou Reed album, Rock and Roll Animal. Great musicians on that album, especially the guitars. It includes Heroin, but a good start on that album would be the Introduction/Sweet Jane. Those of us familiar with this album consider it one of the greatest live albums in rock music history.
VU was very rough around the edges, more dirty and arty and conceptual. I think someone said VU didn’t sell many albums at the time but everyone that bought one thought they could start a band. Much before punk rock did the same for people.
There’s so much to unpack here. The Velvets were an alternative to pop or hippy music. Oddly, Lou Reed came to the band after being a professional song writer. John Cale came from the classical music world and used his cello to unlearn everything that he had been taught. Nico was a German singer who Warhol thought should be in the band. Her tracks are stellar. Mo Tucker had two drums.. Sterling Morrison wrote and sang more on the second lp. Strangely, as experimental as they were, several tracks became part of the rock anthem pantheon.l. And Lou and John went on to have long and creative careers. Follow the thread man…..
Check out Savoy Brown - Needle And Spoon for another song around that time about heroin... Along with John Prine's Sam Stone line "there's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes" this Savoy Brown classic speaks the truth with "But when you're married to H then you're married for life"
I was never a velvet underground follower or fan, but I do love Lou Reeds “walk on the wild side”. It’s just a fun song. The Thunderstorm sirens were going off during this song, what an eerie sound affect on top of the song;) very apropos;) Ifn I’m not mistaken Lou reed was a major druggy, that got clean in the early mid 70’s. But of course I could wrong;(
Take a moment to listen to the live version. I think it is even deeper than this version (Rock n Roll Animal) I also think that this music has more influence in punk than a mainstream hardrock band such as the Who.
Oh my. Another very honest song. Many don’t like it and it’s not top of my playlist, but anyone who has had addiction issues will find truths in here. Please do more. Huge influence on Bowie and many more. I think I saw the reformed band at Glastonbury once but the memories are weirdly foggy ❤😂
Never did the H thing, recovering alcoholic with 7 years sober and counting. I did my fair share of drugs but they never appealed to me quite the way the booze did. Anyway, I'm friends with several recovering addicts and of those, the folks that were addicted to heroin all agree that Spiritualized: Live at Royal Albert Hall, disc one, tracks 1, 2 and 3 are the best musical interpretation of doing heroin. Regardless whether or that is true, it's still an absolutely amazing double album. If you check it out, let me know what you think.
I wouldn't say it's one of the first videos. Firstly, I'm guessing this is film, probably by Warhol himself. Musical film shorts have a long history. I see one online of Bessie Smith back in 1929 - "St. Louis Blues." David Bowie's "Space Oddity" was produced on film as well. Many of the Beatle songs from Yellow Submarine or the cartoon stand alone as well. I've been waiting to see your take on this one, so thanks. And congrats on your sobriety from hard drugs.
The reason why heroin & cigarette addiction are so powerful is because they use *fear* to put you in a state of panic & turn you into a pathetic wimp. This is super important because fear is the most powerful of all motivating emotions, even greater than anger. Whenever I had "tried" to quit my cigarette addiction, the addiction would nag me, saying "The horror, you'll _never have another cigarette"_ & the panic would set in. But when I finally would cave in, the "pleasure" of inhaling another cigarette was totally meh. I got more pleasure from simply _not saying no_ to the addiction than I did from the cigs themselves, which were making my lungs ache. What I learned was that the only way to overcome such addictions is by summoning up a Greater Fear. When I finally quit my 3-pack a day chain-smoking habit, I had to convince myself that those little cigarettes were evil monsters trying to destroy me. I wouldn't get anywhere close to them for a long time. Live and learn...
I'm surprised that you aren't a Lou fan. I've seen him live 3 times. A great guitarist and songwriter. I would recommend some of his later albums. ❤ Lou.
Congrats on your journey to sanity. That was Lou Reed on vocals. He was on heroin so he speaks from experience. His NY band was considered avant garde in the late 60's & they were close to Andy Warhol & that scene. You must listen to Walk on the Wild Side, Perfect Day, & Sweet Jane live version from Rock & Roll Animal. He's an acquired taste for some, but I love him.
For me, Mr. Lewis Allan Reed is (was) the same genius level, especially as a Storyteller, like Mr. Ian Scott Anderson. And I had the honor of being able to experience both of them live at the 'lovely days festival' 2012 in Eisenstadt near Vienna. 🙏🏻 STILL ❤ U LOU, R.I.P.
It is impossible to overstate the impact Velvet Underground had on music of the 70s and beyond. Everyone loved them, and every band wanted to be like them. Glam rock, punk, postpunk, art rock, shoegaze bands all have echo of VU. The band that spawned 10 thousand garage bands. (Though, many of their songs are more melodic than this!)
First concert was Lou Reed and Dr. John during the below mentioned Rock and Roll Animal era. I became a backward fan of VU discovering them later. R&RA Is mostly VU songs amped up into rock form with the great guitarist duo of Wagner and Hunter. Listening to the contrast between the two is interesting, but I think most rock fans would prefer the R&RA approach more.
Lou was in a band at Syracuse University . The preppies wanted him dead for writing derogatory songs about them . He sold drug . Contracted hepatitis for using a dirty needle . He still graduated with honors .
My first Velvet's song, heard on radio was 'Beginning to See the Light'. Check out 'Rock and Roll'. Did both for years, along with other, solo Lou tunes: 'Vicious', 'Satellite of Love'. A favourite John Cale solo song is 'Fear Is A Man's Best Friend'.
For a Velvet Underground song with Nico actually on vocals, I would recommend "I’ll Be Your Mirror". But although The Velvet Underground & Nico gets more ink, their finest album is actually the third, self-titled album - one of the very best albums of the 60s.
I’ve been a pot head for 51 years, never got into anything else, I liked speed, so I chose not to do it after the 100 white crosses were gone. I snorted coke once, all I got was a speed rush, thank you no. I never understood barbiturates, who want to sit on the couch and not move;) But I do love a cannabis high, I need to get a crop in the ground. I’m 10 weeks sober, not happy about it, but I ain’t $320 an once, so I’ll just wait for the fall harvest;)
Had friend who manages a tanning place in NYC and she was at bank to deposit receipts Andy Warhol was in front of her in line. She looked down and he had cleat platform shoes with live goldfish swimming in them. “ Rock and Roll Music” is a great VU song
This should be next from that album (I'm waiting for my man): ruclips.net/video/YbigVkiAe0s/видео.htmlsi=ObZ0BDFsMA2XnGwL I dated a weekend-warrior junkie back in the day (I'm pretty sure he's dead now) -- I stayed with him even after he pawned all my jewelry and constantly lied to me about being clean. It finally got to be too much. He sure did make me laugh though -- more than any man I've dated since (so 30-40 years or so). One issue I have w/your comments you don't need to become addicted to something to learn/need counseling/gain introspection.
Nico doesn't sing on this song; Lou Reed does. Nico only sings on three songs on the entire album; Lou does lead vocals on all other songs. The album only sold about 700 copies in its first year. Brian Eno's famous quote is "Hardly anyone bought The Velvet Underground's first album when it first came out, but everyone who did formed their own band". Kudos to you on getting clean. One of my best friends died from using car-fentanyl 8 years ago & I still miss them. You're from Maryland? So am I! Been in Vermont since '83.
The narrator in this song is a man contemplating suicide. Specifically the ultimate, final fix. And it isn't Reed. I read some Factory person talking about all of this. So, I guess I just want to point out that this music probably isn't as acutely autobiographical as one would think. There's even the lore that Lou Reed had not ever developed a dope habit yet when he wrote this song, that it was inspired by some of his literary friends at Syracuse. Who fucking knows. What I am sure of is that "The Velvet Underground & Nico" is one of the most important albums ever made and The Velvet Underground are one of the most influential bands. (Notice I didn't say "best". In fact, Warhol was apprehensive to take them into the studio because he was worried they would end up sounding too professional.) I encourage you to explore the Velvet Underground and Lou Reed's music probably more than any other artist. Ok, that's all, cheers.
Lou Reed was a asshole that Zappa hated. Lou Reed inducted Frank into the HOF which pissed off Frank's son's Dweezil and Ahmet. They got retaliation that night but I can't remember what they did to Reed. My memory sucks and too many glasses of wine and I'm old and don't feel like looking it up. 😆
Lou Reed was a truly influential songwriter, and I can only imagine how this song hits you, based on your personal history that you’ve shared with us. Having said that, the VU pretty much sucked. This version of this song was the right place for you to start with Lou. There is more, and better, to hear. Lou’s “R’N’R Animal” version of “Heroin” is majestic. 👍
Accept the fact you’ll never catch it. Don’t even try. Like Yoda said do or do not, there is no try. And if you can’t then why bother? My dragon is my kid. There’s no way he’ll love me as much as his mom but I’m going to keep trying. Fuck yoda.
Not everyone appreciates this song, but I love it. Don't give up on the band if this song doesn't do it for you. They are one of the most influential bands in history. It's said that only a few thousand people bought their albums, but everyone who did started a band.
I'm a fan of this band and I have little use for this song.
@orchidwave2574 I think that VU is incredibly important, but the 60s attitudes about drugs was massively destructive. You can claim this doesn't promote heroin use, but I've known people who got hooked because their heroes (Lou Reed, William Burroughs, etc.) used.
I liked it. But I enjoyed it because of the kinda non romantic approach to the lyrics. Painted a very accurate picture of heroin use.
@@lipby I'm guess I'm glad VU recorded it, because it's intrinsic to their overall identity and legacy - and there are musically interesting choices made here that other groups wouldn't attempt or think of...it's integral to their catalog but I just can't get anything out of listening to it anymore, the way I can with lots of other VU songs that are similarly dark, seamy, gritty and minimalist. I don't even know why.
@@orchidwave2574 I like William Burroughs even though he was a pedo glamorizer of junk. Like Lou Reed too. 1967 was a different time.
Lou Reed's Sweet Jane with the long intro off of Rock and Roll Animal is a must listen.
It still shreds to this day. Hunter & Wagner made an epic noise.
Congratulations on three and a half year's. I've got eight years myself. Life's good. Peace ✌️ Peace ✌️
getting into wild territory with Velvet Underground. New York City in wild times. Lou Reed
Congrats on your sobriety, my son is 2 years clean. Love your channel, keep up the good work!
"The Velvet Underground & Nico", (1967) among the most impactful albums in history. Brian Eno commented that although the Album "Only sold 30,000 copies, everyone who bought one of those started a band!" This is kind of true, as the Early-70s NY and Detroit Underground scenes were mostly inspired by "Velvet". Similarly the Early-70's Theatrical-Rock of Bowie, Alice Cooper, etc. If you want more, try "All Tomorrows Parties" a great song about the alienated social scene around NY's Andy Warhol. For some more controversial topics,,, "Venus In Furs" is a bizarre journey through an unsettling soundscape.
The drone at the beginning that gives the song a hymnlike quality before turning into screeching feedback before reverting to its original sound is John Cale's viola. Lou was definitely the band's focal point but a lot of the sound of the first two albums comes from Cale and his avant garde background and outlook. Sterling Morrison and Nico died young. Lou died about ten years ago. Cale and Mo Tucker are still creating.
Loved your reaction, they are very diverse so react to another one.
"I'm waiting for the man" is a track of them about smack that you could relate to too.
Ned here again Dr Lee. An excellent choice and not an easy one, so kudos for making it all the way through. Your personal connection to heroin, which I have never done, makes your reaction to it so much stronger. The VU did a lot experimental songs and some that are lighter as well as straight rockers. John Cale is a classical trained musician, put out many dark, moody albums, produced The Stooges 1st LP . Both Lou and John kept going through the 70s Punk years and fit right in there. Reed had a lot of success up until his death and Cale is still going strong.
There is a very good version of the song Heroin, on Lou Reeds "Rock and Roll Animal " album, recorded live at the 14th Street Academy of Music, in Manhattan.
L33, I am so glad you are sober, you have so much to offer. Back in my day we did a lot of things, pot mostly, acid, shrooms - some got into coke, but I never did. But, as my friends and I have said we (white suburban, ;70s college folks) never even met anybody who had seen heroin. But my daughter, my nieces and nephews all have seen good friends die from opiates. This song is what I imagined a rush and crash from shooting up was like and it is the closest I ever want to get to it.
As for everyone being able to benefit from getting clean from addiction, I can't agree. But I'll just say that I've crawled out of other deep, deep crap in my life and I feel like I am better for it. So maybe more generally overcoming things makes us better. Or at least feel better.
Same. Back in the early ‘70s it was weed acid and shrooms at least for suburban kids. Anything that created such a strong addiction that needles were involved I stayed away from.
I'm not surprised that "Heroin" is getting "mixed" responses from the Comments. This has always been an unsettling Album, and it was hugely controversial in 1967. Now considered "Art-Rock/Shock-Rock", it explored many controversial topics like "Heroin" and "I'm Waiting for The Man", which were actually autobiographical subjects for the Band. This Album is an authentic expression of the underground NY culture of 1966/67, which was a wild and dangerous time for musicians/artists. The Album uses very experimental "avant garde" musical techniques, which are still shocking audiences decades later.
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. The term "Junkie" implies an "addict", which may not have applied to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene had a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even casual heroin use in mid-1960's was very dangerous. It involved street dealing, serious prison time, and potential overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. Using the term "Junkie" implies the Band were "Addicts", which might not apply to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene was interacting with a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even if it was just "casual" heroin use, in mid-1960's this was still very dangerous. Heroin involved street dealing, serious prison time, and always the potential for overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. Using the term "Junkie" implies the Band were "Addicts", which might not apply to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene was interacting with a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even if it was just "casual" heroin use, in mid-1960's this was still very dangerous. Heroin involved street dealing, serious prison time, and always the potential for overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. Using the term "Junkie" implies the Band were "Addicts", which might not apply to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene was interacting with a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even if it was just "casual" heroin use, in mid-1960's this was still very dangerous. Heroin involved street dealing, serious prison time, and always the potential for overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
Hi Hartlor, Reed did use heroin, and he also gave John Cale his first injection. But Reed's main drug was amphetamines, not heroin. Using the term "Junkie" implies the Band were "Addicts", which might not apply to Reed and the Band in 1965-67. But the Velvet/NY scene was interacting with a lot of drugs and "junkies". And even if it was just "casual" heroin use, in mid-1960's this was still very dangerous. Heroin involved street dealing, serious prison time, and always the potential for overdoses.@@Hartlor_Tayley
The video is clips from Andy Warhol's movie The Velvet Underground (1966). The movie is just a filmed jam session, so the sound is not the song "Heroin." At the end of the movie, in addition to Andy, I spotted Billy Name wearing suspenders with his camara, I think Henry Geldzahler in a white short sleeve shirt with a newspaper, and Gerard Malanga in a turtleneck telling everyone they had to leave. Paul Morrissey was filming. You can watch it here on RUclips: watch?v=ot8JrMaY8yY
The blonde is Nico, and the little boy in front of the band is her son. She never sang "Heroin," at least not to my knowledge. Lou Reed sang most of the album. Nico sang a few songs, and she was there only because Andy insisted. The band did not want her. I know Nico only from her songs on this album and her performance in Andy's movie I a Man (1967), but she did do some solo work after she left the Factory. I don't think she was at the Factory more than a couple of years (1966-67).
As for Andy, he produced the album and had the Velvets play at a few of his installations. John Cale said that Andy had nothing to do with the Velvet Underground. Lou Reed said Andy had everything to do with the Velvet Underground. Both are right. Andy provided no musical input apart from forcing them to let Nico sing on the first album, but the Velvet Underground would have gotten no attention whatsoever without their association with Andy Warhol.
She also had a very small role in the Italian film "La Dolce Vita," believe it or not.
Small role, but it was a speaking part, which surprised me since I assumed she'd just be in the background somewhere.@@richarddefortuna2252
@@richarddefortuna2252 Now that you mention it, I remember that. I saw La dolce vita many years ago, but I didn't know to watch out for Nico, and I haven't seen the film since.
Have you seen the. Multi-part series, “The Warhol Diaries?” fascinating stuff from his diaries after he was shot. Saw the Warhol/Basquiat exhibit at the Fondation Louis Vuitton here in Paris last year. Very historic….
@@johnnyfrederick01 I have seen an read a lot about Warhol over decades. So I have difficulty keeping track of sources. I may have seen The Warhol Diaries, but I just don't remember. I saw an exhibition of work by Warhol and Basquiat, but that was probably twenty years ago, either in Fort Worth or in Houston. I think at the Kimball in Fort Worth.
Most of the interviews and articles I've read have been remarkably kind toward Andy even while granting the chaotic atmosphere of the Factory before the shooting. I suspect there was sort of a mutual exploitation involved.
Paul Morrissey is really the only exception. He seems to harbor a real resentment towards Andy and feels that he himself never got the credit he deserved. Given Andy's approach to art and how he talked about things in interviews, I can see how Paul's stories might be true, but the way he tells them sounds self-aggrandizing.
After the shooting, Andy found a way to get everybody to quit hanging around while avoiding confrontations. Brigid Berlin was the only exception. She had taken Paul's place as office-manager and keeper of the appointment book, and she remained a fixture for years. I don't remember whether she was there to the end or whether she left around 1980 to take care of her ailing mother, but she was there long after everyone else had wandered off.
Andy got rid of Paul by moving his desk closer and closer to the door. Then when the Factory moved, Paul just didn't have a desk anymore. While Andy was in the hospital, Paul did the final editing of Lonesome Cowboys and filmed Flesh (with Andy's permission, of course). Paul's putting his own name in the credits as director of Flesh could well have been what motivated Andy to get rid of him. I've never heard anybody say that, but the timing fits. Paul's attitude is a lot like John Cale's. He should have incorporated some of Lou Reed's gratitude to balance it out. After all, Andy did continue to allow his name to be attached to Paul's movies up through Blood for Dracula (1974).
Lou Reed and Mo Tucker both said the band was hardly ever at the Factory. But if they were really that distant, why would Lou write so intimately about Factory people in "Walk on the Wild Side"? John and Lou really were both telling the truth.
Lou Reed on vocals and guitar. Lou Reed's big hit was "Take a walk on the wild side" Doot do doot do doot do doot do da Doot etc..The blonde lady is Nico. For getting off heroin you have my complete respect. I too was once an I.V. user. Thank you for all you do.
Six years sober from 25 years of horrendous alcoholism, congrats to u, & i get the vibe it already is for u, but every year away from the poisons just gets better & better:) …anyway, the famous saying about this band is that this album only sold 5000 copies but because of it 100,000 bands were started (something like that, I fecked it up), but this album is truly great, so eclectic, it started, spawned, birthed, like 50 separate genres of music …VU was genius…Bowie loved them & helped out Lou once Bowie got famous…its a long, twisted, epic tale in the history of rock, & art.
Great tune! Try the live version off Lou Reed Rock and Roll Animal!! Just a 🔥ass album🔥✌🤘🎶
is that the one with Steve Hunter playing the lead
@@BusstterNutt yes sir 😉
Congratulations on your sobriety. 30 years myself. It's pretty amazing you got clean during covid. It can't be overstated how influential VU were. They weren't great musicians, and their songs weren't catchy, but they did things no other rock bands had ever done and changed the course of rock music.
Andy Warhol was the "producer" only in a vague movie biz kind of sense. In 1966 and 1967 he funded and launched a multimedia show called The Exploding Plastic Inevitable in which the Velvet Underground were the musical component and Nico, mostly working as a model at the time, was also involved. He acted as the band's manager in the sense that he promoted them largely by association with his celebrity status and was doubtless the reason they got a recording contract.
Now try Sister Ray, another roller coaster!
John Cale-Fear is a Man’s Best Friend. You’ll understand.❤
The combination of the lyrics with the way the music ebbs and flows, simulating the high/need cycle, and getting progressively chaotic/entropic, it just gets me every time. I think it's a masterpiece. By no means easy to listen to , but an amazing experience nonetheless. Thanks for your reaction!
Heroin is one the most important, best and under-appreciated songs from the 60's. You can hear the next 30 years of music in it. People listening to it started some of the most important bands for the next twenty years. Rolling Stone called it the one song to listen to as you drove your car down the freeway at 100 mph. It has been my North Star for decades now.
I could totally see myself racing down the highway at night to this glorious track. I had a blast with it. Heh
You are correct when you say don't be a "lifer" (here they are called "flounders"). You made some bad decisions, wandered in darkness, found your way out, now take what you learned and build your life from there (generic you, not you personally). Most people "in recovery" continue to use between periods of abstinence. That's what in recovery means. In and out of "programs" founded on an ideology of powerlessness. I can't imagine anything more self-defeating. Flounders. My people would tell me they had a "relapse" and I'd say there is no such thing, you changed your mind about being clean and sober. Why? Maybe because you can still get away with it by being "in recovery"? They'd be like "You don't understand!" Oh, I understand alright. My "clean time" is now in decades although I don't keep track of it. It's rather unremarkable when someone does something and then they stop doing it. Still all these years later i sometimes look back and shudder. I'm very fortunate to be alive. I suppose there is a reason for that. I don't think it's possible to counsel other addicts unless you have experienced the insanity of it yourself. If that's what you are doing I wish you well in your good work
I first heard this almost 40 years ago , it's still a cool song today !
Your reaction, your openness, your facial expressions ❤❤❤
Big hugs to you my man. 👊
Check put the 'Loaded' album, a bit more mainstream, with some great tunes: Sweet Jane, Rock and Roll Music, etc... Keep up the great work you have a lot to live for!!
Horrifying and beautiful at the same time.
This song was on the Doors movie soundtrack.
I'm a recently retired prison guard and I have to tell you a story from a short time ago. I was on duty when I got a report of a prisoner who was being held up by another inmate. I responded as quickly as I could and performed CPR on him. It was in vain and I could tell that almost immediately, we gave him 3 shots of Narcan but to no affect. At the prison we do the best we can but we also call the professionals and I gave him over as soon as the paramedics got there. He was a 26 year old male and he died there on the floor. Yes it was fentanyl and I just can't see why anyone would do this. I heard from a few others confidentially that others got high from that same batch later that night, they just didn't care. Thank you for listening.
Happy for you and your sobriety and still rockin and experiencing the best music ever straight..and loving it and feeling it.. peace..
This is not everyone's favorite by the Velvet Underground, but I guess we need to check it out anyway. Good for you for 3 1/2 mo. sobriety! 🎉🎆♥
Your video offers a profound take on addiction. Thank you.
Extremely wise words at the end. And congratulations on your family and also your line of work, which I think it would be frustrating but also damn awesome.
Wow man I cannot believe the first time I heard this and then we played it all the time with my roommates and also at places where we hung out with other friends. For the time it's an incredible description of everything like that even.
This is one of those songs that changed the world for me, also one of those songs that open doors that can be very painful. It also jumps to 'Waiting for the Man' in my head, which covers another side of the drugs experience.
Be strong. It's worth it.
The beginnings of indie rock. Not all their songs sound like this and not all of them are about drugs. Their most mainstream songs are "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll", if you want to check out something of theirs that got played on classic rock radio. Their craziest, most notorious song is probably "Sister Ray", but they have some really beautiful songs too like "Sunday Morning", "I'll Be Your Mirror" and "I Found a Reason". Other songs in many shapes in sizes too. The first few studio albums are all essential.
John Cale did a heroin song called "Big White Cloud".
TVU are my favorite group from the this era, hands down. It's like the music equivalent of a gritty cult movie ... raw, real, beautiful and just weird enough to keep you engaged. Something like that. You should react to their self-titled album. And 'White Light/White Heat' which is a full on trip.
Maureen's drumming reminds me of hoofbeats on this song, ranging from a slow hesitant trot, all the way to full gallop. Remarkable, brilliant and quite out of the mainstream for drumming. I believe the bass drum was played lying of the floor with her kneeling in front of it. Someone later made her a custom stand.
For anyone interested, there's a really good documentary on YT about VU's self-taught drummer: "Foundation Velvet: The Drumming Of Maureen 'Moe' Tucker - A Documentary By Cam Forrester".
Moe now works at a Walmart in South Georgia
Great attitude and insights.
Released in March of 1967, just a few months prior to the Summer of Love, this album was the polar opposite of all the groovy, happy, sunshiny music of the rest of 1967.
While everyone was feeling groovy, Lou and the band were singing about the underbelly of NYC with drug addiction, S&M fetish, debauchery...
I've written this before but here it comes again.
A high school teacher back around 1977 (I graduated in 1978) told me about the Velvet Underground. I know who Lou Reed was but was too young between 1967 and 1970 when they were a band to know of them. So anyway, that teacher also told me that the trick is to be on the same drugs they were on when making the music to get into their mindset and understand the music better. Sage advice that would get a teacher imprisoned for today.
Another teacher at that same school, a woman, said she was at Woodstock and found a cereal box full of pills. She said she didn't take any of it though... I believe her.
Was one of my favorites back then, and I buried my brother and many others who od from Herion.
A good friend of mine has a son who is in his thirties now. I remember talking to him sometimes when he was six or seven years old. Then I didn't see him for nearly thirty years.
When I met him again he was a fully grown man. he was staying with his dad for a bit while he got some things together. I was really happy to see him again, but he seemed distant. He spent most of his time collecting trash from dumpsters and alleyways which he would fill his room with.
I thought this behaviour was a bit odd. After some inquiry I found out that some exemplary human being had got him hooked on heroin when he was twelve years old.
Twelve years old, man! He had survived this way into his thirties, but it had absolutely wrecked any chance he had for a good life.
He was actually clean the last I heard. Wasn't easy either. My prayers go with him. I hope he can recover enough to have some kind of life, even if it's a simple one. He deserves some happiness.
A few others have mentioned the live Lou Reed album, Rock and Roll Animal. Great musicians on that album, especially the guitars. It includes Heroin, but a good start on that album would be the Introduction/Sweet Jane. Those of us familiar with this album consider it one of the greatest live albums in rock music history.
Thanks
Brilliant sensitive comment. I got the album the week it came out in England. Thankfully , I was a Psychedelics Freak after.
VU was very rough around the edges, more dirty and arty and conceptual. I think someone said VU didn’t sell many albums at the time but everyone that bought one thought they could start a band. Much before punk rock did the same for people.
Great song. Great Reaction
There’s so much to unpack here. The Velvets were an alternative to pop or hippy music. Oddly, Lou Reed came to the band after being a professional song writer. John Cale came from the classical music world and used his cello to unlearn everything that he had been taught. Nico was a German singer who Warhol thought should be in the band. Her tracks are stellar. Mo Tucker had two drums.. Sterling Morrison wrote and sang more on the second lp. Strangely, as experimental as they were, several tracks became part of the rock anthem pantheon.l. And Lou and John went on to have long and creative careers. Follow the thread man…..
Viola, not cello
You must listen to the live Lou version on Rock and Roll Animal. It's astonishing
Amazing song. Amazing band.
Yeah that was stellar. They nailed every aspect of this video and song
Try their Sister Ray!
Greatest Rock N Roll band of all time. All four albums are visionary gems.
Check out Savoy Brown - Needle And Spoon for another song around that time about heroin... Along with John Prine's Sam Stone line "there's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes" this Savoy Brown classic speaks the truth with "But when you're married to H then you're married for life"
LIFE Brother. The inside journey is what its all about and whatever gets you there......gets you there. Way to go!
I was never a velvet underground follower or fan, but I do love Lou Reeds “walk on the wild side”.
It’s just a fun song.
The Thunderstorm sirens were going off during this song, what an eerie sound affect on top of the song;) very apropos;)
Ifn I’m not mistaken Lou reed was a major druggy, that got clean in the early mid 70’s. But of course I could wrong;(
This song is perfect for what it's about.... but you heard that.
I walked into a bar in Chicago June 1966. $3 cover. Andy Warhol's Exploding Inevitable Show, Velvet Underground & Nico ( the blond in the video).
Take a moment to listen to the live version. I think it is even deeper than this version (Rock n Roll Animal) I also think that this music has more influence in punk than a mainstream hardrock band such as the Who.
I quit smoking cigarettes at the beginning of covid. I was a heavy 37 year smoker.
Oh my. Another very honest song. Many don’t like it and it’s not top of my playlist, but anyone who has had addiction issues will find truths in here. Please do more. Huge influence on Bowie and many more. I think I saw the reformed band at Glastonbury once but the memories are weirdly foggy ❤😂
Never did the H thing, recovering alcoholic with 7 years sober and counting. I did my fair share of drugs but they never appealed to me quite the way the booze did. Anyway, I'm friends with several recovering addicts and of those, the folks that were addicted to heroin all agree that Spiritualized: Live at Royal Albert Hall, disc one, tracks 1, 2 and 3 are the best musical interpretation of doing heroin. Regardless whether or that is true, it's still an absolutely amazing double album. If you check it out, let me know what you think.
I wouldn't say it's one of the first videos. Firstly, I'm guessing this is film, probably by Warhol himself. Musical film shorts have a long history. I see one online of Bessie Smith back in 1929 - "St. Louis Blues." David Bowie's "Space Oddity" was produced on film as well. Many of the Beatle songs from Yellow Submarine or the cartoon stand alone as well.
I've been waiting to see your take on this one, so thanks. And congrats on your sobriety from hard drugs.
This album was recorded in 1966. Same year as Revolver. Ain’t that some shit. The beginning of indie rock.
That is wild. What a revolutionary year for art... the future was right there and they just didn't know yet lol
The reason why heroin & cigarette addiction are so powerful is because they use *fear* to put you in a state of panic & turn you into a pathetic wimp. This is super important because fear is the most powerful of all motivating emotions, even greater than anger. Whenever I had "tried" to quit my cigarette addiction, the addiction would nag me, saying "The horror, you'll _never have another cigarette"_ & the panic would set in. But when I finally would cave in, the "pleasure" of inhaling another cigarette was totally meh. I got more pleasure from simply _not saying no_ to the addiction than I did from the cigs themselves, which were making my lungs ache. What I learned was that the only way to overcome such addictions is by summoning up a Greater Fear. When I finally quit my 3-pack a day chain-smoking habit, I had to convince myself that those little cigarettes were evil monsters trying to destroy me. I wouldn't get anywhere close to them for a long time. Live and learn...
This is not the only great song from this album.
I'm surprised that you aren't a Lou fan. I've seen him live 3 times. A great guitarist and songwriter. I would recommend some of his later albums. ❤ Lou.
Congrats on your journey to sanity. That was Lou Reed on vocals. He was on heroin so he speaks from experience. His NY band was considered avant garde in the late 60's & they were close to Andy Warhol & that scene. You must listen to Walk on the Wild Side, Perfect Day, & Sweet Jane live version from Rock & Roll Animal. He's an acquired taste for some, but I love him.
For me, Mr. Lewis Allan Reed is (was) the same genius level, especially as a Storyteller, like Mr. Ian Scott Anderson.
And I had the honor of being able to experience both of them live at the 'lovely days festival' 2012 in Eisenstadt near Vienna. 🙏🏻
STILL ❤ U LOU, R.I.P.
Try the live version from Rock and Roll Animal
It is impossible to overstate the impact Velvet Underground had on music of the 70s and beyond. Everyone loved them, and every band wanted to be like them. Glam rock, punk, postpunk, art rock, shoegaze bands all have echo of VU. The band that spawned 10 thousand garage bands. (Though, many of their songs are more melodic than this!)
First concert was Lou Reed and Dr. John during the below mentioned Rock and Roll Animal era. I became a backward fan of VU discovering them later. R&RA Is mostly VU songs amped up into rock form with the great guitarist duo of Wagner and Hunter. Listening to the contrast between the two is interesting, but I think most rock fans would prefer the R&RA approach more.
Lou was in a band at Syracuse University . The preppies wanted him dead for writing derogatory songs about them . He sold drug . Contracted hepatitis for using a dirty needle . He still graduated with honors .
Velvet Undergrounds "I'm waiting for my man" song is more or less a "continuance" of this song..
Gem
Moe Tucker!!!
Seeds of NYC music scene below 19th Street...
you should listen to Lou Reed New York
lol love this track an the VU. BTW check out JUNIOR DAD from the lou reed Metallica collab its actually really good
My first Velvet's song, heard on radio was 'Beginning to See the Light'. Check out 'Rock and Roll'. Did both for years, along with other, solo Lou tunes: 'Vicious', 'Satellite of Love'.
A favourite John Cale solo song is 'Fear Is A Man's Best Friend'.
For a Velvet Underground song with Nico actually on vocals, I would recommend "I’ll Be Your Mirror". But although The Velvet Underground & Nico gets more ink, their finest album is actually the third, self-titled album - one of the very best albums of the 60s.
I’ve been a pot head for 51 years, never got into anything else, I liked speed, so I chose not to do it after the 100 white crosses were gone. I snorted coke once, all I got was a speed rush, thank you no.
I never understood barbiturates, who want to sit on the couch and not move;)
But I do love a cannabis high, I need to get a crop in the ground.
I’m 10 weeks sober, not happy about it, but I ain’t $320 an once, so I’ll just wait for the fall harvest;)
Not Nico on vocals, it's Lou Reed.
William S Burroughs - The Junky's Christmas. Full Version. on youtube.
Is it the same John Cale that wrote "Cocaine!' the Eric Clapton hit?
I guess I just don’t know.
Had friend who manages a tanning place in NYC and she was at bank to deposit receipts Andy Warhol was in front of her in line. She looked down and he had cleat platform shoes with live goldfish swimming in them. “ Rock and Roll Music” is a great VU song
This should be next from that album (I'm waiting for my man):
ruclips.net/video/YbigVkiAe0s/видео.htmlsi=ObZ0BDFsMA2XnGwL
I dated a weekend-warrior junkie back in the day (I'm pretty sure he's dead now) -- I stayed with him even after he pawned all my jewelry and constantly lied to me about being clean. It finally got to be too much. He sure did make me laugh though -- more than any man I've dated since (so 30-40 years or so). One issue I have w/your comments you don't need to become addicted to something to learn/need counseling/gain introspection.
Nico doesn't sing on this song; Lou Reed does. Nico only sings on three songs on the entire album; Lou does lead vocals on all other songs.
The album only sold about 700 copies in its first year. Brian Eno's famous quote is "Hardly anyone bought The Velvet Underground's first album when it first came out, but everyone who did formed their own band".
Kudos to you on getting clean. One of my best friends died from using car-fentanyl 8 years ago & I still miss them.
You're from Maryland? So am I! Been in Vermont since '83.
I love and hate this song depending on how I feel on any given day.
Have you reacted to Eric Clapton's cover of Cocaine while we're on the subject?
William S Burroughs - The Junky's Christmas. Full Version. ruclips.net/video/u6kHN92Yv48/видео.html
The damn Chinese! They even put the Coca farmers out of work! 😂
That's some film that Andy shot which was edited by somebody (in recent years) to make this video.
Thank you for that. I was wondering if this was one of the first music videos ever but no one else brought it up lol
👍@@L33Reacts
The narrator in this song is a man contemplating suicide. Specifically the ultimate, final fix. And it isn't Reed. I read some Factory person talking about all of this. So, I guess I just want to point out that this music probably isn't as acutely autobiographical as one would think. There's even the lore that Lou Reed had not ever developed a dope habit yet when he wrote this song, that it was inspired by some of his literary friends at Syracuse. Who fucking knows.
What I am sure of is that "The Velvet Underground & Nico" is one of the most important albums ever made and The Velvet Underground are one of the most influential bands. (Notice I didn't say "best". In fact, Warhol was apprehensive to take them into the studio because he was worried they would end up sounding too professional.)
I encourage you to explore the Velvet Underground and Lou Reed's music probably more than any other artist. Ok, that's all, cheers.
You have to listen to the live version off the album ROCKN
ROLL ANIMAL WAY better
You have to
Lou Reed was a asshole that Zappa hated. Lou Reed inducted Frank into the HOF which pissed off Frank's son's Dweezil and Ahmet. They got retaliation that night but I can't remember what they did to Reed. My memory sucks and too many glasses of wine and I'm old and don't feel like looking it up. 😆
Lou Reed was a truly influential songwriter, and I can only imagine how this song hits you, based on your personal history that you’ve shared with us. Having said that, the VU pretty much sucked. This version of this song was the right place for you to start with Lou. There is more, and better, to hear. Lou’s “R’N’R Animal” version of “Heroin” is majestic. 👍
Accept the fact you’ll never catch it. Don’t even try. Like Yoda said do or do not, there is no try. And if you can’t then why bother? My dragon is my kid. There’s no way he’ll love me as much as his mom but I’m going to keep trying. Fuck yoda.