Drummer reacts to "Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed

Thank you to our patron WIlliam A for this very interesting pick... I loved the VU song we did a couple months back and I've been waiting to go back to that sphere and here we are. Lou really swung for the fences with this in the topics department in the lyrics but it's a tight piece at the same time. Very interesting stuff.
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• Lou Reed - Walk on the...
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#loureed

[@Alan_CFA]

Over a half-century ago! I’m 70 and I still love this song.

[@astroteech]

I was in high school in the early 70's when this came out. We loved it then and got it! I treasure this song to this day as does my 32 year old son. I'm 67. It's right up there with "Lola" which came out years before. To each his own. Live and let live.

[@Russ-gy7tx]

When it came out it wasn't censored, It went over almost everyone's heads. It was a groove.

[@lipby]

It didn't go over anyone's head. It wasn't censored because it didn't use an obscene words.

[@hackermusic3355]

I don't remember it going over anybody's head. There just weren't many people looking for a reason to be offended back then.

[@kenhoyer8601]

Kind of like Acapulco Gold by Rainy Daze.

[@lipby]

@@hackermusic3355 Nonsense.

[@LAM38Z]

​@@lipby ummm "Candy never lost her head even when she was giving head"?

[@DrStrangelove3891]

These were all real people that Lou Reed was hanging out with at Andy Warhol's Factory.

[@davidspalten1304]

I ran my high school radio station in 73 and 74. This song was a regular.

[@leepd1]

52 years ago.. there is no way a song like this would remotely have the chance to cut thru into todays main stream, highlighting just how conservative everything has become.. we've gone backwards, and no one seems to have noticed.

[@alrivers2297]

Very unique song in history. Ahead of it's time

[@AP-gb3eh]

This wasn’t censored at the time. It’s been really disturbing to see how censorship has taken over society.

[@jameswiglesworth5004]

So right, the song would not be released today, not only do you not hear explicit lyrics, even edgy lyrics are taboo in our PC/woke society

[@davidwolf4677]

Those days when we were free.

[@jimmeltonbradley1497]

That signature bass hook from the beginning is unmatched. "And the coloured girls go...."

[@debjorgo]

And then his singers do go "do da do...."

[@b3stanga697]

The song was always on the radio when it came out, uncensored. We used to get a kick out of it. All the people being mentioned are actually people they knew.

[@FlamesCagney]

This was played openly on the radio.

[@lathedauphinot6820]

You know, of course, that Mick Ronson is all over this album: arrangements, string arrangements, guitar, piano, backing vocals…. In fact, he and Bowie played on this track. Great album; made Lou Reed a star.

[@kellydelay18]

Just recently discovered mick ronsom what a great talent !

[@jlb6]

@@kellydelay18After Bowie also worked with Bob Dylan on the Rolling Thunder Revue Tour but I liked his record with Ian Hunter from Mott the Hoople. Who do,you love is a treat

[@louise_rose]

Half of Yes worked on Reed's debut solo album, the year before!

[@Lee_River]

Herbie Flowers played both double bass and electric bass on this song. He later explained that he did this because playing two different instruments meant he got paid double the session fee.

[@debjorgo]

Ha ha. That's funny. Both the lead bass running through the whole song, and the more traditional bass in the background are great!

[@oldairyheir]

He also plays the intro to Harry Nilsson's classic "Jump into the Fire"!

[@janfijay]

He was paid £24

[@joannparker1977]

There is no song like this. Edgy as hell for the time. But also, such a sophisticated song. Love it.

[@kenlawless7247]

My first concert. Lou Reed Rock and Roll Animal tour with Dr. John as the opening act.

[@pommie5093]

must have been amazing!

[@lauraallen55]

I'm happy to see more Lou Reed/VU! His music was so influential and important. Perfect Day, Pale Blue Eyes are two of my favorites. Of course, this one was a pretty big hit, and not much else was of his/theirs I don't think.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

A standout song.

[@XFLexiconMatt]

The double basses, the ascending and desending bass are amazing on this, great mood.

[@Asymmatrix]

It describes the 'scene' at Andy Warhol's The Factory. VU was the house band Warhol put them together with Nico. Bowie produced it. This is the one that made it for Lou. Pretty stark contrast to the peace and love music being made at the same time.

[@jamosbigjaw1791]

It was more velvet underground that was a stark contrast from the hippie movment, with its gritty and purposefully abrasive sound to paint a more ugly scene. This is when Lou started to go commercial. Still great but vu is him at his best imo.

[@Asymmatrix]

@@jamosbigjaw1791 The topic is the subject matter as per Lee's comments. It's a stark contrast to peace and love. Too tough?

[@jamosbigjaw1791]

@@Asymmatrix ye possibly was still a contrast to hippie culture. maybe more of a contrast against the rise of arena rock. Lou was probably trying to make rock more personal and relatable with transformer I think. either way, he definitely was an outlier and that made him have a strong cult influence.

[@user-ez6vk2bw7q]

I admit I was in high school and a lot of this song went over my head, too. But I was dumbfounded by what I did get, and amazed I was hearing it on Top 40 AM radio. R.I.P., Lou.

[@juliannrose5919]

This played on A.M. radio and no one cared. It just seemed different then. This song and movies like Rocky Horror nothing, also the song Lola. You would be riding around in your car and this would come on the radio and we would just sing along.

[@AgingDrummerBoy-ly1js]

I don't remember it being censored when I was living in LA at the time, and I got it the first time. ✌️❤️🤟🥁

[@genegarrett3372]

This song always had a special sound unique for the times.

[@hosehead58]

must-have album..this song is just one of the many gems on it

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

Intelligent and classy. Well done. Lou Reed has always been a good one. This song is ahead of its time, however, it came out at the perfect time. Thanks for sharing this one.

[@kevanbodsworth9868]

A record producer benchmark

[@richard-t3z]

A true story

[@dcramblermusic317]

Imagined being 15 and this comes on the radio...

[@P.Galore]

How this was played day in day out on AM and FM radio - a song about cross-dressers, transvestites, oral sex - and became such a huge hit is still astounding. Produced by David Bowie.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

Smokey Sax, in the backs. ❤

[@brendamilloy2557]

A classic from my youth! The bass, the sax, the backup singers all so fine. This tune is embedded in my soul.

[@laurencaulton103]

New York City in the 70's. This used to be all over the radio. Should play this next to "'Do Do Do Do Heartbreaker" by the Stones. Also about NYC.

[@debjorgo]

It's Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker). Great song! Could be my favorite Stones' song.

[@user-zj8fp6dw7x]

​. Mine too, if I didn't change my favorite every day.

[@TheNeonRabbit]

Always loved the 2 basses on this

[@pete3883]

Enjoy

[@randykasky7120]

Hi Lee, great reaction! More and more you're reminding me of an old fashioned FM DJ . Back when DJs played a song in its entirety and even talked about it's history a bit before moving on to the next tune. Unlike today's DJs that seems to have adopted the AM format which means cramming as many songs into a 10 minute spot as possible. I know you're not a radio station lol but listening to you talking in the background about all these old artists and their songs as if they were new while I was waxing my car reminded me of the good ole days of FM radio thanks!

[@darrellwhitman4756]

Barry Wom of The Rutles on drums.

[@garylee3685]

They shouldn't be able to de-monitize you for a song played all over the airwaves since 1973.

[@ragnarmyhr7238]

Love the Transformer album.

[@ta2gypsy]

RIP Lou I'll always remember the V U

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

David Bowie played Andy Warhol in Julian Schnabel's 1996 biopic "Basquiat". Also with Jeffrey Wright as Jean-Michel Basquiat (his first film role), Benicio del Toro, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Walken, Gary Oldman, Dennis Hopper and Courtney Love (as Madonna). This film really captures the mood in NYC at that time just as Lou Reed did with this song. Trailer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faS6i6ysqb1oqrcsi=wLFZ7_HlmM6gFgNa

[@andrewcole3736]

I was an adult when this came out so the subject matter didn’t go over my head. This is obviously a great song from a great album. 🕊❤️🎼

[@Moz1011]

It certainly is a great album. I just had to go and listen to it again after watching this.

[@davidfisher8821]

There is a KZbin video of this song with all of the people mentioned shown from home movies and club footage! It’s very cool to put faces to the names

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

@@davidfisher8821 Is this the video you are talking about? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2HJd6Otfbh0rMksi=2MdX-RCptCscm0XM

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

@@davidfisher8821 Is this the video you were talking about? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2HJd6Otfbh0rMksi=2MdX-RCptCscm0XM

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

Is this the video you were talking about? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2HJd6Otfbh0rMksi=2MdX-RCptCscm0XM

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

Is this the video you were talking about? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2HJd6Otfbh0rMksi=2MdX-RCptCscm0XM

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

Is this the video you were talking about? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2HJd6Otfbh0rMksi=2MdX-RCptCscm0XM

[@klwit307]

So much fabulousness! ❤❤❤ The sax and bass made me fall in love with this tune right from the start. Amazeballs!!

[@mightyV444]

This song has been following me around recently, for God knows what reason 😀 Gerty Molzen's cover of it in '85 is David Letterman's most memorable moment of all the years hosting his show 😁

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

knew a few people like this but didn't know till later....all about expressing self ❤️

[@ccollins2890]

My favorite Lou Reed is Sweet Jane.

[@Gloren50]

One of my favorite songs of the early 1970s. Thanks for reacting to it. I loved NYC/Time Square in the early 1970s with all the porn houses, prostitutes hanging out in front, and strange people and behavior. The urban grit was right there in your face and I thought it was amazing. Reed and the characters in his song were all part of the Andy Warhol scene in NYC back then. And keep in mind this is just 3 years after the Stonewall Riots, so there was a lot of in-your-face gayness. LGBTQ seemed to feel a sense of liberation, so it was pretty open, especially in the West Village and Chelsea. As far as I know, this song was the first actually to openly portray LGBTQ people in popular music.

[@johnhextall1136]

I think Lola was slightly earlier.

[@Gloren50]

@@johnhextall1136 right!! I forgot about it...Lola was 1970.

[@williamlovett619]

A classic, like no other

[@davidbooth7778]

goodun!

[@williamstlouis3368]

Take time to listen to I'm Waiting for My Man by Lou. Great song and there is a really good cover by Keith Richards. Peace out.

[@John-gq7vt]

You gotta do stuff from "Rock N Roll Animal" - a live 100% classic Lou Reed album. Saw Mr. Reed at a Halloween concert that was also a costume party. Amazing night over all with Lou, Halloween, and costumes enhanced with a three-letter compound, the first two letters being "L" and "S". For some reason, the third just escapes me...

[@andrewschreiber112]

It's probably unfathomable to somebody of your age how REVOLUTIONARY this was in 1972, to openly speak about transgendered people, without judgment, as well as male prostitution and the other "edgy" subjects that this song tackles. Apart from just the subject matter, the VIBE of this song is just incredible - smooth and sexy as hell.

[@1967PONTIACGTO]

This song was a massive hit on AM radio.... there was a brief period when great art was all around us... there are other great songs on this album... try "Satellite of Love", "Vicious", or "Perfect Day"

[@livenhfree]

Love the use of the string bass.

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

I heard this album in 1972.❤❤❤❤❤🎷🎷🎷🎷

[@peterhoward1048]

Bowie did production and other bits for this fabulous album

[@NoExitLoveNow]

I find it interesting with all the offbeat characters in this song, one verse is dedicated to a guy who just wants dinner and a show.

[@somefatbugger]

We used to listen to this album/song on tape in the car while we were driving down the highway to the coast to go surfing, drinking and carrying on for the weekend in the 70's. Great song and Lou Reed is an icon. Hi from Australia.

[@leonardsfriend5821]

I was a very sheltered and innocent person when this was released, loved it, but it wasn’t until I was an adult and a little less green when I understood the lyrics lol.

[@robertshows5100]

Omg i was nineteen

[@beverlyoyarzun3326]

HS class of 73- none of it went over our heads and we couldn’t believe it was playing on the radio. In the family automobile 😂I think the almost monotone melody that didn’t call attention to it helped the lyrics fly under the radar.

[@tcspur1]

As with Bowie, never forget how much this is all about Mick Ronson.

[@donrumgay5200]

Don’t worry…this was played all the time on the radio…

[@ColeenU]

I really like this song and am amazed that it wasn't banned

[@jasonralph4286]

Do do do, do do do do Doooo.

[@victorbortolussi2964]

" Perfect Day" and " Viscous " are good tunes also. Are you familiar with the show MST3K? A guy was trapped in space by mad scientist and forced to watch bad movies with his 2 robots and they would make fun of them. The name of the space ship was the " Satellite of Love". Another song from Transformer. Lou actually loved the show!

[@user-ei1mu6dr4r]

I was 14 when I bought this album brand new, and I knew exactly what it was describing. I lived outside NYC but I was born there and visited often, and I kept up with what was happening through papers & word of mouth. Lou was New York. We have the same birthday (years apart). I'm so glad I had something to listen to that wasn't disco. Thanks Mr. Reed!

[@Dr3amtime]

Lou has many classic songs. Some of my faves are Sweet Jane, Perfect Day, and Satellite of Love. Rock and Roll Animal is an incredible live album. My friends and I used to have study party breaks where we'd dance on the tables listening to it, Who's Next and Patti Smith.

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

"SWEET JANE" IS A GOOD ONE. LOU IS IN DRAG ON ALBUM COVER....👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Robomatic]

You have to check our Intro/Sweet Jane from the Rock and Roll Animal live album. Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter are genius on the Intro. And let’s not forget Prakash John on bass. His bass line interweave with the guitars to make it all work.

[@gregbacon9808]

Next play “ Sweet Jane”👍🏻

[@clarkeandi]

Go listen to Street Hassle x

[@saturninebear]

Miss him so much. Amazing man. Amazing mind.

[@bernhardfbuttner5694]

Song: "Waves Of Fear" (insane guitar-stuff)! Album: "Magic and Loss"! Heavy shit!

[@smffeb58]

“Holly came from Miami F L A” That opening line delivered into the public lexicon, that fact everyone now immediately associates F L A & Florida

[@lemming9984]

FLA??

[@smffeb58]

@@lemming9984 Lou didn’t sing “Flahhhh” he sang the letters Eff Ell Ayy, (F - L - A)

[@lemming9984]

@@smffeb58 Yeah - meaning what??

[@smffeb58]

@@lemming9984 meaning that if you asked me where I’m gonna vacation this year. You’d know immediately if I responded EFF ELL AYY. This lyric is the impetus for that entering the public lexicon as describing Florida.

[@lemming9984]

@@smffeb58 Oh right! I'm a foreigner, so didn't get it 😁

[@kimberelyanngunter6341]

Walking down the halls at school going "Doo do doo do " me and my girl posse would do this ...great song & memory 🤗

[@edwardmeradith2419]

Bowie hunted down his sax teacher at about age 10 and got him in to do the sax solo!

[@TerenceShortman]

The song's lyrics, describing a series of individuals and their journeys to New York City, refer to several of the regular "superstars" at Andy Warhol's New York studio, the Factory; the song mentions Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, Joe Dallesandro, Jackie Curtis and Joe Campbell (referred to in the song by the nickname "Sugar Plum Fairy").

[@TheCornishCockney]

This album was a fucking belter,but my favourite track is the opener “Vicious” Bowies fingerprints all over this as they were besties at the time.

[@markmurphy558]

I would love to see a dep dive from someone on how this song escaped scrutiny when it came out. It was obvious what the lyrics were referring to, but no outcry or even mention in the press. Times have changed.

[@ralpholson7616]

Sweet Jane with full intro from Rock n'Roll Animal. We all knew what this was about. Nobody cared. There is more censorship today than back then.

[@shemanic1]

Great tune, uncensored, love the groove & the way Lou delivers.

[@hoppers13]

Such a huge part of my youth. I’m sure not gonna get you de-monetised by going into detail, young Lee. 😇

[@scoobyblue5300]

The characters are as follows: HOLLY came from Miami, FLA: Holly Woodlawn (Haraldo Santiago Franceschi Rodriguez Danhakl b.1946,Puerto Rico)The endearing transvestite recognized by her overbite and crooked teeth, is most memorable for her seriocomic performance in the film "Trash". For some reason, many mistakenly think she is no longer living, which is far from true at this writing('07) CANDY came from out on the Island: (James Lawrence Slattery 1944-74Long Island NY) Feminine,pretty, ex-male Candy Darling performed in several Warhol/Morrissey projects.She died of cancer in the mid 70s. LITTLE JOE never once gave it away:Superhot and 'straight' Joe D'allessandro (1948 Pensacola, Fla) was the star of several full-length cinema projects by Paul Morrissey in Andy Warhol's Factory studio. A butch brooklyn streetkid who turned to gayhustling before his discovery by Warhol/Morrissey who exploited Joes universal sexappeal.He's now an icon of underground cinema and gay subculture. SUGARPLUM FAIRY came and hit the streets: Joe Campbell's nickname. He appeared in Andy Warhol's Nude Restaurant(1967) and very briefly in two others but is not seen in later projects. JACKIE is just speeding away: Multi-talented Jackie Curtis (John Holder Jr.1947-85 NYNY)performed both in and out of drag in films and onstage as well as being a prolific writer.He died of accidental H overdose. These characters along with many others made up the unique group of subculture speedfreaks, wannabees, and genderbenders known as Andy Warhol's Superstars. They contributed their various talents to multiple Warhol-related projects during the late-60's thru early 70's pop art/trash/underground cinema, art and social scene. You can enter thier names on youtube to find lots of videos of these people, but if you are really interested,seek and watch the films of Paul Morrissey under the heading "andy warhol's" or "AW presents" Candy, Holly, and Jackie are Hilarious in the trash classic - Women in Revolt.

[@daledubell9256]

You should do street hassel. Hear Springsteen back up faded vocals on an amazing track

[@rosshulveyiii]

I would like to see you react to a track from Lou Reed’s “Metal Machine Music” 😂😂 Oh yeah!

[@dawnschneider187]

A masterpiece of a song, but definitely not "politically correct." Awesome reaction

[@roberttaylor5997]

The golden rule: "Do as you would be done by." So much easier to say.

[@mysterysurf4554]

Now perhaps do "Intro/Sweet Jane" from Lou's Rock 'N' Roll Animal live album. You will dig Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner on guitars.

[@nancy9891]

I think of this song as an trans person walking the streets in Greenwich Village in the late sixties and early seventies. What a great song with so much truth behind an alternative life style people try to hide, but it’s there. Now it seems more out in the open but their lives are in danger by haters of those who are different.

[@lynnieiapichino1121]

☮️💙💙💙🔥🔥always on my playlist

[@randy3907]

My first concert,1972 Philadelphia Spectrum..........Traffic, Lou Reed & Jo Jo Gunne

[@SnoopySnoops1]

It was a given that Transformer was the album to own back then. At least in the circle of friends I hung around with. Played and played wherever we hung out. Thanks William!

[@Veni_Vidi_Vortice]

You could play any track on that album. There are no bad ones.

[@cyclops60]

Iconic song from an iconic album. I was only 12 or 13 when it came out and my friend had the album. I didn't get all the lyrics at that time but knew it was risque with the back cover photos! Perfect day, I'm so free and satelite of love are my favourites. Cheers

[@user-fc8lz1cg4x]

Love this song. Music is reality, whether you like it or not. ❤😊

[@kianpa1]

❤ thanks for this reminder!

[@garyarnett1220]

Roughly 1 year later the Stonewall "uprising" happened, also in NY. Biden and Sir Elton just dedicated a monument there.

[@DerekArmsden]

I can't hear this song without seeing Hot Gossip on The Kenny Everett Video Show in my head.