FIRST TIME REACTION TO Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side (REACTION!!!)

[@darrellwaller6205]

It would be so much better if you would just SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!

[@jayrahvisions]

HAHAHAHA!!

[@Tuning_Spork]

Darrell, if you want to hear the song without interruption, watch the video of the song. This is a reaction video. Be prepared to appreciate the reaction in real time. :-)

[@johnrectangle6034]

Me, I like your video and your comments about what kind of instrument is used.

[@jayrahvisions]

@Braden C McClure you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain.

[@dlc1119]

It's a 'reaction' video, maybe not your bag?

[@CharlesDunkley]

This song is a snapshot of the Andy Warhol crowd at the Factory back then. Everyone mentioned in this song is a real person Lou Reed is singing about that ran in that circle.

[@KateBates22zabu]

They were all in Warhol movies

[@Prospect.1]

Oh I wish I could have been old enough to try to get inside the factory,, would have beat damned sewing factories ,lol,, I luv to read about the factory n its inhabitants,, 😉😊❤❤⭐⭐⭐ Andy was right about everyone being famous for 15 minutes,,I had my share of local fame when a good concert came to town ,, I was GOOD at gettin backstage ,, lol ,,those thin gypsy skirts did more than cover my ass lol

[@Prospect.1]

@@KateBates22zabu ahh yeah Candy Darlin,Holly,,Jackie,, all the Chelsea girls ,, oh how I would have lived to b there then ,,I think I mite have fit in ,if for no other reason ,,Ppl just love to hear my southern accent lol everyone but my husband lol

[@sirslice]

And the were all he's dressed like she's.

[@anthonyguadagnino2681]

@@Prospect.1 pics?

[@dwoehrma]

This was one of those songs that just got played and played on rock radio in the 70s. Everyone knew it. The groove is undeniable.

[@lathedauphinot6820]

David Bowie actually plays acoustic guitar on this track. He and his guitar player, Mick Ronson, produced the album, and Ronson arranged a lot of the instrumentation and plays lead guitar, piano, backing vocals, etc on most of the tracks.

[@lynryall1317]

Mate like me you know it xxxxxxxxxx

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

Ronnie Ross plays the saxophone at the end. It’s a great fade-out.

[@dgodfrey8953]

This was a lot for 1972.

[@avoiceinthechoir5791]

Lou Reed was a poet with an understated sense of humor. One of a kind!

[@themadcow71]

Yeah check his band The Velvet Underground. One of the most influential bands ever.

[@ImaDieHrderLkeMyKidBruceWillis]

Definitely.

[@bencracknellCA]

Best comment I've heard about the Velvet Underground: they didn't sell many records but everyone who bought one formed a band

[@lisamorrison2149]

Lol! Loved your surprised look on your face when you realized what Lou was singing about! Great reaction to a 70's song ahead of it's time.❤

[@thesnoyls]

There are two interlocking bass lines being tracked: a double bass (aka stand up bass) and a fretless bass. That's how you get that iconic bass line

[@michaelgross8635]

DAT BASS! Hey, Jay, the bassist on this track, Herbie Flowers, actually played two different bass lines - one on upright, as you mentioned, and one on electric fretless. If you listen closely, the two bass lines are frequently playing in opposite directions against each other - one ascending line and the other in a descending line. As far as I know, it's the only prominent use of this style in rock music, and gives the track such a unique vibe. One other track you probably should check out by Lou Reed is a more standard rock track (with a wicked guitar intro) called "Sweet Jane." Here's the best version from Lou's Rock and Roll Animal album: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXfHiIObfat0g80

[@docbearmb]

The Intro to Sweet Jane, a guitar duet by Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner, is legendary. So is Lou’s performance on the song and the album. The album’s finale, Rock ‘n’ Roll, is a banger jam. Not to mention a great performance of “Heroin”.

[@tyger389]

Herbie came up with the idea for two basses so he could be paid twice.

[@mariak9802]

glad you caught the can i kick it reference!! Love your videos and your reactions are great!!!

[@dommonte3507]

as a 10 year old, I was on the Indian Pacific train from Perth to Adelaide Australia, I can never forget this song being played through the speakers, unbelievable!

[@lauraschelstraete4177]

Now you have to do the Kinks Lola😂😂

[@sherribrock2726]

The only way to follow this song!!

[@alanpeterson4939]

Absotively

[@anniegoodrich262]

Yes! The door is open!

[@GrimrDirge]

One of my very favorite songs from that NYC scene. I wish the sax could go on for a few minutes with that bass plucking away.

[@TH-rj4ds]

Lou is the sound of the seedy side of NYC in the 60s and 70s. A lot of his songs had to do with drugs and counterculture, "Waiting for the Man" being the most well known.

[@debbers]

You should watch the video that goes with this! Hysterical! It starts out with a man shaving his legs, so he can take a walk on the wild side! Loved your reaction! Thank you for letting me sit in with you today I enjoyed your reaction!

[@adam.4487]

I just wish it was longer! Brings back some memories for me. I was SO much younger back them. :)

[@sukie584]

Great Reaction! Some younger folks get a little put of by the lyrics, but it’s a total love song to people and lifestyles that were considered fringe and not accepted by main stream society,. Lou was a musician who wrote like he was writing a novel... beautiful.

[@oldstrawhat4193]

You really know your stuff. Amazing! Also, you have a super great smile.

[@alexanderkantakusiniii8411]

I smile like that every time the girls come in with their voices....good shit...

[@charlesforbes3627]

David Bowie on the Sax. The girls stood 10 feet away from the mic and walked too it.

[@allyourmoney]

You can see everything mentioned in this song. You can see the street, the hookers & the people hustling down the sidewalk at night. The cabs, the litter.....everything. Probably one of the most visual songs ever recorded.

[@owlcu]

Welcome back, glad you're at full strength. I have to say that I watch your videos because you're honest. I don't subscribe much, but I'll definitely watch your videos.

[@nicolediamond93]

Lou Reed was the poet laureate of the 70’s East Village NYC

[@chrisf.7980]

Reed's Transformer album was actually produced by the late, great David Bowie, and was his most successful album with this song being his only chart topper, in spite of the questionable subject matter (for the time, anyway). Bowie's multi-talented guitarist, Mick Ronson, did much of the musical arrangements as well. What an interesting collaboration of talent! Even more intriguing to know that all named in the song were actual people that were part of Warhol's Factory.

[@AllenDM]

You are so much better than the other reactors. You actually understand music.

[@mjp3186]

Nice reaction. I'm glad you just listen. Great song.

[@stephencaruso760]

Sweet Jane another classic

[@susancollins6062]

the Colored Girls were a backup vocal group that sang on many NY records in the early 70's

[@SmilingMedicineEntertainment]

I hope you'e paying attention to all the people suggesting the live version of Sweet Jane. That and Heroin off his Rock and Roll Animal album is some pretty stunning stuff. Really grabs ya by the neck and demands your attention.

[@ccrocker5284]

Mira, Mira…of all the reactions of this song, you truly focused on the composition and beats and have a deeper understanding of what it is about. Also, remember, this was done in the’70s and sung all over the world. I ask you to listen again and again as my generation did. You also referenced a movie which, like the band that sampled this song, was based on “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” starring Sidney Poitier…I love that you at least broke down the instruments…love your show!

[@irishfergal]

Bernie Mac reference much appreciated. RIP - Gone Too Soon, Hey Sugar, take a walk on the wild side.

[@k_salter]

I was 11 when this came out, and it consistently takes me back to a friend's parents always turning this off when we were in the car with them. Made us listen to this even more and learn the lyrics (cuz there was no internet to look them up on). Still like this song. Thanks for the reaction.

[@thefilthycasual3068]

Imagine people being shocked by this now and almost 50 years ago they were just like hell yeahhh.

[@justineapril7922]

I was wondering if you were reacting to the long version. I remember back in the day, the radio stations only played the edited version. Jay, you looked soooo uncomfortable with the "alternative" lyrics! Dude, it's 2020! This song was released FORTY EIGHT years ago (1972)! Times were different. The gender lines of the early 70s were blurred. Artists like David Bowie (bow-E), Marc Bolan, Elton John, Mick Jagger, New York Dolls, etc and others did "glam rock." This was more than 10 years before Boy George and Culture Club. Yes, an upright bass. And the volume increase is simply turning a dial. Good choice!

[@jayrahvisions]

Lol ian never uncomfortable just found em hilarious

[@GivnoFyux444]

Two basses, upright and electric.

[@andyfletcher3561]

It was playing on the air in Seattle before that. I know I do this on release dates of songs a bit, and folks want to argue and get all pissy about it. I'm not trying to start that though. All I know is we left Seattle in December of 1971 and I was already very familiar with this song. It may not have been available to the public to purchase, but it was definitely being played on KJR AM(now sports radio) and the pirate FM station we used to get several times a week. It may have been via The Velvet Underground, who were a bit earlier...

[@workingman6681]

Loved your reaction to the giving head part! LMAO! Very unique song!! That was Lou Reed.

[@lathedauphinot6820]

Lou Reed laughed, “Hey! I got one by the censors!”

[@DarrylM65]

This song came out in 1973 and was actually a hit single. Of course on WABC they cut out the giving head line. This song was everything about NY your parents warned you about, lol.

[@andyfletcher3561]

It actually came out much earlier than that. Possibly a version with the underground, but it was definitely on the air in Seattle over the summer of 1971. I think as far as it being censored, that depended on where you lived and even what time of the day...

[@anahatatutu]

This tune always reminds me of the album "Astral Weeks" by Van Morrison. That jazzy instrumentation with more cosmic lyrics. I play upright for a living (best instrument ever) ... and yeah (like the tune is about) I like dudes. ;)

[@tboflanagan77]

"Guess Who?" is a remake of an old film called "Guess Who''s Coming to Dinner?", starring Sidney Poitier, Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy. It's about an interracial relationship, but with a white girl bringing a black guy home for dinner. It was groundbreaking in 1967.

[@itsmadfar]

Cool delivery Jay Rah.

[@jchow5966]

Lou was so cool. Lou was a friend of the artist Andy Warhol. He was a huge influence on rock n roll This song is 49 years old and people talked different then The song was about real people.

[@delmar418]

Little Joe, is famous model Joe Dallessandro. I had Thanksgiving dinner with him, 2009.

[@tracilmoser1677]

I have not heard this in long time, excited

[@berklful]

Lou Reed. What a character...

[@ct8449]

Did you know that Ebony and Ivory is actually a duet by Stevie and Paul McCartney? Loving your reactions.

[@juliemarkey254]

No collection is complete without Transformer. ♥️

[@bobcorbin3294]

The live version of Sweet Jane from Rock and Roll Animal is a must-listen for Lou Reed fans.

[@3ScotsInk]

It's David Bo-eee. Bowie & Lou were my fave coming of age guys. Got to see them live, Lou twice, Bowie many times-- I was one of those kids up against the stage at their feet, which sadly can never happen anymore. Bowie, also, has songs with very explicit lyrics like, 'so where were the Spiders while the fly tried to break our balls?' And he wore legless jumpsuits that often didn't cover his balls at all. Yeah, that's what we were all looking up at, among other things. You need to check his stuff out. He had a long career, as did Lou, but the early 70's were the best. I was 15 when I first heard 'Walk On the Wild Side' and saw him perform it live. It was a great time to be a teenager, especially with very permissive parents like mine. They didn't give a shit what I was listening to, or who I was going to see, as long as I was having a good time. Which I was (understatement). We were high all the time, too. My mother even crept into my bedroom one morning after I'd gotten home and crashed after a concert at 4 am and whispered to me, "I put your little thing on your dresser." I didn't realize until I woke up much later that day that the "little thing" was a back up joint we hadn't smoked that I'd left on the living room tv when I got home. Wouldn't trade those times for anything in the world. RIP David and Lou. I've just watched 6 reactors reacting to this song in a row. You didn't disappoint. Love the raised eyebrows, jaws dropping, the big smiles, and I've been laughing my ass off. Exhausting! But maybe I'll watch a couple more.

[@kozdog1]

his song is about the superstars of Andy Warhol's factory - the transvesite superstars Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis. Also included is Joe Dallesandro (Little Joe). The song is basically a biography about them.

[@MonicaDBrini]

I love the vibe. So jazzy but funky.

[@cityhonors1]

🙄 I'm old. 😳 Just realized how many times I've seen Lou & his wife Laurie Anderson, an amazing performer in her own right. My best friend did sound for Lou during his 'I Love You Suzanne' Tour.

[@wrekker69]

Lou Reed was a founding member of The Velvet Underground. Walk On The Wild Side is taken frim Transformer, Reed's second solo album produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson All of the characters in the song refer to "superstars" of The Factory. Andy Warhole's studio.

[@edvinlaine]

Whole album is great, one of the milestones.

[@palemale2501]

The 2 electric and double bass lines were completely conceived, composed and recorded in 20 minutes for $30 by British session bass player Herbie Flowers - and he does not resent it to his crdeit. Herbie says that the coloured girls lline was to invite the backing singers over to the single studio mike for their bit - and they were 3 white girls called The Thunder Thighs lol.

[@KellyKMc]

Lou Reed is Lou Reed and a pioneer in punk. There is no one like him.

[@axiomist4488]

The voices or any instrument, can be raised or lowered on the board. Simple. Great song, about 1972, very cool, about the dark side of New York's hip life. You're right, the bass hitting the single notes, is a "double bass" or stand up base and the sliding part is an electric bass, both played by the same guy. You can see the video of him showing you now how he did it. This is definitely a jazz piece and that guy on the sax really kills it at the end. It brings the tune to a much higher level .

[@Alsatiagent]

The censors and radio stations did not know what "giving head" meant. This song got so much fm airplay that by the time anyone figured it out it was too late to bother. Heard for it the first time in mid 70's in a car with my dad and uncle when I was about 12.

[@1967PONTIACGTO]

an amazing thing about this song is that it was a hit on AM radio... at some point the freedom of the 60's and early 70's was shut down.. for a song from 20 years later in his career, check out a song called Dirty Boulevard.... before his solo career, Lou Reed was one of the founders of the legendary Velvet Underground, and they have great songs like Waiting For My Man, and Heroin

[@edwardmeradith2419]

I know, amazing, I remember driving around in high school in Nebraska hearing this on the AM RADIO! Amazing.

[@zyunilovesbali216]

Saw this bloke 35 odd years ago at festival hall Melbourne, Australia.Front row centre , joints being passed left right and centre . Backing band and vocals tight as a fishes arsehole.Absolutely magical stuff . LOL , one of my mates a vegetarian even ate some dimsims grabbed at Lex's (blackrock) on the combi ride home.

[@BlueSky...]

Great reaction!

[@patrickkaltner8554]

Sweet Jane from the Rock and Roll Animal album will melt your face

[@djimaging2]

The bass hook was devised by Herbie Flowers and was performed by him on double bass overlaid by fretless Fender Jazz Bass. He was paid a £17 flat fee (equivalent to £200 in 2019)

[@michaelford9027]

Some sweet jazz is always cool ..thought youd get a kik outta of this bro😁

[@PaulContius-j1m]

Every person mentioned in this song is real. They were all part of the Andy Warhol Factory scene where Lou hung out when he was with The Velvet Underground.

[@johncampbell756]

This song was co-produced by David Bowie. A double bass. Watch the original Guess Who's Coming to Dinner with three of the greatest American actors ever. Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier and Katherine Hepburn.

[@mikecaetano]

Lou Reed was always ahead of his time, especially his work with The Velvet Underground. Check out "What Goes On", "Here She Comes Now", "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'", and "Rock & Roll" sometime.

[@FloridaRocks]

I've been askin for "Sweet Jane" from Lou Reed's Rock n Roll Animal release. Maybe now??? Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner's intro is absolute heaven!

[@ph.ch.6541]

one of my favorite song! i like your reaction when you discovers the lyrics! this song is about the transvestites that andy wharol used to hang out in the factory

[@realbser1956]

I feel that Lou Reed was an acquired taste. Appreciate his importance to music but I was never a big fan but your reaction was good to hear.

[@mottorcycle2559]

Check out New Sensations, Lou Reeds later more mainstream. Excellent album

[@ToyutahLifein]

Lou was a wild mix of art. "This Magic Moment" is a great one by him. This song mentions "James Dean", who could have been one of the best actors ever. He died about 20 years before this song from car crash- he was 24, and this song is what... 45 years ago? Sort of like Heath Ledger, died too young. He was the joker in the Batman movie, The Dark Knight... or River Phoenix. He was 23... I seem to be like m&m with movies and music a lot...

[@JimiBurleigh]

Very cool that you are so excited to expand your musical horizons. In case you did not know this that track was produced by David Bowie and Bowie provided backup vocals on the track a well. You might find Lou Reed's work with a band called Velvet Underground interesting as a follow up to this one. Just a thought.

[@robertkramer41]

Sweet Jane Live kicks ass Warhol's house band

[@justinbakerking]

It’s called an upright bass. They are fret less. There’s also an electric bass on the track too.

[@captaincell]

The movie, "Guess Who," was a remake of a movie from the 1960's named, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." It starred Sydney Poitier, as the boyfriend, who comes home, from college, with the daughter of Katherine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracey. It's a great film.

[@lindaaugone6294]

great song !!

[@jamespasifull3424]

Check out one of Lou Reed's greatest heroes, Little Jimmy Scott, a legendary Jazz singer, who was born with a birth defect that prevented him maturing fully, so his voice never broke, & he remained a small stature his whole life. It didn't stop him from becoming one of the greatest interpreters of song lyrics, & a unique 'stylist'!

[@cityhonors1]

😂 I use to stalk Andy Warhol's factory to see who comes in & out hoping to see Lou, Holly, Nico & Candy the way I stalked The Dakota to see John & Yoko go in and out. 😏 If mom knew I wasn't in school..... 😉🐰 #ENRGYZRBunny

[@natewilliams1062]

Can I Kick It? Yasss you can

[@reinori8322]

do ta doo ta doo........ Thanks for sitting for it......

[@rich1223]

Lou Reed Freeport Long Island NY!!

[@robertakline9785]

definitely a different time. Glad you appreciated it.

[@ericoberlies7537]

The movie “Guess who” is an update of a 1960s film called “Guess who’s coming to dinner”, with Sidney Poitier and Spencer Tracy. The roles are reversed.

[@ramsin99]

Got to listen to his version of Sweet Jane on his live album, Rock and Roll Animal

[@lynryall1317]

It's all about the times and different drugs.....oh yes

[@waltreed2578]

Speaking of Bob Dylan, his 'Positively 4th Street' has great lyrics too, check it out.

[@stevegibbons8941]

Fantastic reaction, Lou reed is not like Bob Dylan, He stands on his own, great reaction, cheers !

[@JosephScott-ct9sw]

He was very influenced by Dylan.

[@rullmourn1142]

Lou Reed/ Sweet Jane/ Heroin/ Venus In Furs.

[@rullmourn1142]

Hard to believe it was on the radio in 1973. Actually it would be more likely to be censored now than back then.

[@emcsquare5045]

So many great lou Reed song from velvet underground to his solo stuff. He represents the underbelly of N.Y. is song Dirty Boulevard is a perfect example of that.

[@gregrambo606]

Stand-up bass, upright bass. You see it with jazz groups mostly. 1972.

[@tommywars4067]

This song was sampled 27 times for various songs.

[@lynnieiapichino1121]

☮️💙💙💙🔥

[@salamunga5645]

Reed is so out there

[@christopherbako]

On the master panel they slowly by hand raised the volume on that track.

[@margiemcpeak9304]

The Velvet Underground was a bad-ass sound machine! Thanks for reacting to a blast from the past!

[@leemorgan4799]

Love this song.

[@donwest5387]

Lou Reed was an "outlaw"

[@kathleenkilmartin5494]

Perfect Day.

[@matsjakobsson1376]

I believe it is a fretless Bass. Possibly old fashioned stand Up bas Check out Perfect Day! and with former band, Velvet underground. Venus in furs! Inspired by Sacher-Masoch WHO gave name to masochism.

[@caro2233]

there is so much to this song to be understood : he's talking about transvestites, prostitution, drug dealing ('sugarplum fairy'), drug abuse, suicide... when it was released, the censorship administration (don't know how it's called in the us) just understood nothing! and the song never was censored! and we're talking about the year 1972! lou reed wrote many controversial songs at that time (and still is nowadays) : heroin, sister ray, venus in furs, waiting for the man, etc etc...