The Velvet Underground - Heroin (song only) Reaction

[@79derik]

The drum beat is like the heart beat pulsating

[@LeshaAnn]

Big ups to whoever had the impeccable taste (and sly humor) to suggest this!

[@korybeavers6528]

Its about shooting Heroin, when you shoot it everything speeds up for a few minutes before it slows back down...modern art about the heroine experience

[@messiahmoose]

“The white noise is theirs, not mine.” Me: Patiently waiting knowing what’s coming.

[@bikingfencer]

violin

[@danielmclaughlin4778]

Best comment on this dudes Chanel

[@ezechielpequay5894]

​@@bikingfencerThis is a viola, not a violin. Very different thing

[@latonpowers5356]

The song was recorded in 1966 and released in 1967. Obviously the lyrics and music is about heroin. But it’s also about the hopeless feeling many of us have. The noise is beautiful to me. It sounds like what’s in my head.

[@DocRobert]

I always thought this song was trying to recreate, both lyrically and sonically, the cycle of his drug use. Intimate then rushed, calm then chaos, up then down, high then low, pleasure then pain. That sound at the end is distorted guitar feedback, definitely supposed to be uncomfortable to listen to. But that always hit me as kind of honest, for basically a love song to heroin, you know? If you want a Velvet Underground song that’s a little more conventional, maybe check out “I’m Waiting For The Man” or “Rock And Roll.” Love.

[@ajschroetlin2196]

Excellent analysis. :)

[@noraa1991]

I always felt like the drums were supposed to represent his heartbeat. They speed up because he made the deal and is on his way to get the drugs, they slows down once he has the drugs because he's not as anxious anymore and finally when he gets strung out the erratic rhythm is from the rush he gets when he takes it.

[@jaydenwhitlen1489]

It's not guitar feedback, it's violin

[@weezerptooie926]

@@jaydenwhitlen1489 Love that John Cale

[@AndreasTunney]

@@noraa1991 Holy shit dude I never noticed that symbolism. I think you’re 100% right. Wow what a profound song.

[@tjmcdonald4747]

This song scared me when I first heard it. It's sinister. The drums are like dripping blood and the violin is a droned out haze.

[@ForARide]

John Cale's viola

[@brianhansen6189]

Now you gotta do Venus in Furs

[@donthomasdunigan7004]

The "white noise" you hear throughout this tune is John Cale's viola, droning in the background for atmosphere. Quite effective. Later, Brian Eno picked up on the drone sound; you'll hear him in Bowie's Heroes, for example. Peace (and happy birthday).

[@SpiralOfWhite]

You know what this is? A reaction! Awesome, a person honestly expressing their thoughts on the song. Love it.

[@dgp397]

All Tomorrows Parties is another great Velvet Underground song

[@ricardocima]

A very strange and beautiful song.

[@Krust_Acean]

Think of the music as a metaphor for how the body/mind responds to heroin.

[@RUSHChick]

I haven't The Velvet Underground in a long time. Happy Birthday!

[@barbarohelm9697]

Listen to the whole album .. its one of the greatest albums ever made moments of pure loveliness I'll be your mirror ,sunday morning then serial killer scary heroin, death song and sex drugs orgies femme fatale and venus in furs .. it's an incredible piece of work 1967? Is it .. wow I grow up and learned more listening to this than any other album . It's all there love ,death, addiction,

[@bikingfencer]

The speed changes are meant to describe the rush and crash. This was back when "Puff the Magic Dragon" was considered pushing the envelope.

[@weezerptooie926]

Not every song is pretty, but this song (and album) is groundbreaking and a classic in Rock history

[@thareckoner5453]

This is a deep cut. You can ask 50 people who the Velvet Underground are and you may have 2 people know who they are.

[@richardsimpson9039]

Which is a pretty sad commentary.

[@davesnothere8859]

and those 2 will be split on whether they understand the art of it or just think its noise.

[@terrycunningham8118]

But those 2 started bands...

[@peterjonas4971]

@@terrycunningham8118 saith Kurt Loder in the liner notes of the re-issued Lps in '85.

[@richardsimpson9039]

From the album The Velvet Underground and Nico. Fantastic album, and fantastic choice. Song is called “Heroin” for a reason. “I’m Waiting For the Man” is a song with a similar theme to this one

[@davesnothere8859]

this is a song that duplicates a addicts torcher, without excuses or apology. the slow parts are relief of scoring and the noise is the torcher while trying to score

[@georgepotter353]

those listening to this song that know, they know. Spot on. He's not glorifying a run. He's performing a run.

[@cheripetty1805]

Another classic Velvet Underground Lou Reed Heroin Track is WHITE LIGHT/WHITE HEAT. DAVID BOWIE performs his own scintillating version during his legendary "SERIOUS MOONLIGHT" TOUR, captured on Film in August 1983 in Vancouver, B.C. 🇨🇦 & released on DVD. This Tour was in support of his HUGE Album "LETS DANCE", and features EARL SLICK on Lead Guitar. EARL was a replacement for STEVIE RAY VAUGHN, who decided to back out of touring with Bowie due to his own newfound popularity and going out on his own Tour. SRV was a guitarist on the LET'S DANCE Album, and his performance on that album created a whole new audience for him. The SERIOUS MOONLIGHT DVD is a great place to become familiar with the career of David Bowie, as it showcases all his greatest hits up to that point, and each song is preceded by a still photo of David, with subtitled Song and year released, showing in which era and persona it was created. Fun Fact: inspired by the LET'S DANCE lyrics " Put on your RED 👠SHOES and dance the Blues, in every CITY on the SERIOUS MOONLIGHT WORLD TOUR, shoe stores reported they were all SOLD-OUT of RED SHOES by the Day of the scheduled Concert!

[@TheoZoffrok]

"What's happenin'?" Man, that was a perfectly timed question, made me chuckle 🤭

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

Happy birthday! Wow, so great that you are doing the Velvet Underground. Waitin' for the Man is a good one. Here She Comes, Sweet Jane, I can't even think straight because I am excited to see good music on a reaction channel.

[@mattjohn4731]

As a kid in the late 80s I discovered the Velvet Underground by listening to REM's lp Dead Letter Office. They covered Femme Fatale, Pale Blue Eyes and There She Goes Again

[@nozecone]

I've never done heroin - but I'm convinced that this song gets the feeling across ... !

[@davesnothere8859]

not so much the heroin high as the addicts life.

[@sarafrey3163]

Such a great song!!!

[@sarafrey3163]

And Happy Birthday 🎉

[@karlb.Am.I]

John Cale is giving the infinite drone that runs through the centre of the sound with Electric viola , and the buzz turns wild as he frantically gives the 2 guitars a run 4 their rhythmical lives .. John Cale is the velvet underground's main player 4me .. all are great though . The best band I've ever heard

[@ForARide]

Most underrated artist in Rock music history considering his enormous influence. Fortunately heard him on the radio more than 40 years ago, he soon became came my musical Uber-God, never tire of his output.

[@garryc7788]

One of the most influential albums and bands of all time..

[@peteriuliano5846]

Brilliant Song - Thank You For Spot Lighting THE VELVET UNDERGROUND - "If I Can 'Cause It Makes..."

[@duncansolloway2497]

its said that VU are so influential not because a lot of people saw them but that everyone that did started a band

[@Killvoid13]

The song is musically creating the ups and downs of heroin whether being high on it or going through not having it

[@mattjohn4731]

White noise! That describes the V.U. 😝 also their second album was White Light/White Heat. Their thing was songs about the seedy side. Really damn good songs💥🎻

[@macjam9090]

My favourite band of all time and this was from 1966. The song speeds up as that's the reaction after taking drugs. The screeching is done by the violin. They would not play this on normal radio/ TV now so you can imagine there was no chance them playing it in 1966. Try pale blue eyes from the live album 1993. The most beautiful rendition

[@peterbartolomeo956]

Lou Reed once shit up ...dope...on stage doing this song. My Favorite Song. This and Sweet Jane the masterful guitarist on this song is I believe Steve Hunter. He goes insane on this song

[@YonYohnson666]

as someone who smoked, snorted and shot up heron a dozen x back in the 80's. this song sounds exactly like you'd feel after a really good dime bag (rivington street, nyc spiderman bundles). luckily i wasn't a fan of that feeling, but this song always reminds me of why heron sucks people in. lol. at the end you said it sounded dope and nod your head without realizing the irony.

[@johnnyc6258]

great reaction, obviously its very weird song, and weird band. But very influential, theres no david bowie, iggy pop and punk rock without the velvet underground. And all their albums are pretty good and different from each other, one of the greates bands all time, Lou Reed is singing on this

[@johnnyc6258]

that song was from 1967

[@ijustneedmyself]

VU is amazing. They were so ahead of their time! I will always be so grateful that I decided to give them a listen over 15 years ago. Their music is difficult for many to take in, but it is so worth trying to "get it" by giving it another listen.

[@christy7698]

Right on! Couldn't have said it better, myself!

[@christy7698]

@@ijustneedmyself Their music changed me and my perception of life, in general. After hearing their music, I was a different person. I kid you not, my friend! Their music changed my life!

[@bamzilla.]

The speed up and increase of intensity is him getting high on heroin and peaking....the rush...

[@UltraViolent21]

Happy birthday! I’ve been sober since February 29, 2017. Needle free. I worked my ass off for it. I buried a lot of friends. I’ve been to rehab six times . This is no joke.

[@TeezMcGee]

That’s awesome man! Hell yea! And I’ve seen it up close with family members, I know how ugly that it can get and I’m just happy that you’ve overcome the addiction because it’s a monster, much respect my brother! I’m here if you need me 💯

[@j.prt.979]

It’s a weird one all right. It’s meant to feel like taking heroin. And yes, the uncomfortable ending is meant to be uncomfortable for sure.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

One of the most influential albums of all time. #13 on Rolling Stones all-time list.

[@peterjonas4971]

We Gen X-ers owe early REM a debt of gratitude for introducing us to this band.

[@Salguine]

If you really want to understand just how groundbreaking and unlike anything else this album was at the time, check out what was in the Billboard top 100 in the summer of 1966 when this was being recorded, and then listen to this whole album. This might has well have been music from another planet by comparison.

[@ELIZABETHANNEBuonagura]

My fave song by them, and nobody has reviewed it. Thanx. 💘💘

[@Crimsy3000]

It speeds up then slows down… you ride the heroine high with him. Follow his heart beat in the drums.

[@peterbartolomeo956]

Happy Belated Birthday !!!! Greatsong Steve Hunter on Guitar

[@xXaoZz]

That was a violent. And its ment to be upsetting. It represents the effect of the drug.

[@dominrael8658]

if you want more like this one from velvet underground check out black angels death song and venus in furs and european son. if you want a sweeter more conventional VU, check out oh sweet nothin, jesus, sunday morning, pale blue eyes. more straight rock type would be rock n roll, sweet jane, im waiting for my man, and foggy notion. they were pretty varied in style and experimental. can always check out their 17 min long sort of acid jazz opus called sister ray, for more craziness.

[@Krust_Acean]

They have more conventional songs too. But they played around with dissonant sounds, as well as nice sounds.

[@kathleenohare8770]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[@rodrigodiaz5003]

He is so distracted...😂 I wonder what's going on out of the frame. And the reaction? I guess you need a soul to do that...and this guy is in the realm of the minerals😳

[@EdwardGregoryNYC]

Nobody uses distortion like the Velvet Underground. Give "I'm Waiting for the Man" for a song on a similar theme that is a bit more conventional.

[@craigsmith8061]

White Zombie Thunder Kiss 1965 is a must, give it a listen!!

[@denniskinzler5890]

Great song/ great album!

[@nedirajmep]

The Velvet Undergroun is one of the best ever...and this song is not, maybe Im wrong, but just maybe, for people who didnt try heroin ever...Im not saying that that is something good...but for heroin user this song is the best description how do you feel when you do heroin

[@TheAmazingJon]

Great song

[@nessaseetah1805]

Grandparents of grunge.

[@edwinbrashear7729]

Check out his song "Billy"...It's amazing!!!!

[@specialsauce5290]

Yo Happy Birthday, its been a crazy historic day, lets hope we can get back to normal (whatever that means) soon.

[@TeezMcGee]

Right man it’s crazy out there smh

[@kevincinnamontoast3669]

The album contained 1/10 gram heroin for you to try.

[@TheoZoffrok]

🤣👍🏽

[@ezechielpequay5894]

Yes, behind the banana

[@mikeyoung4310]

Oh sweet nothing is great as well. Keep up the wonderful work✌🏻

[@u.z.9383]

I like your reactions. It would be interesting to see you react to one of the most bizarre music videos I ever watched: "Sabrina" from a band called "Einstuerzende Neubauten" ("Noi -bow- ten")

[@AnimusZen]

Over bruh's head. Enjoyed the vid all the same.

[@howamilooking5952]

The VU? Yes! Do "Sad Song" Unreleased on last album. That group was on another level of not giving a FK

[@nathanabraham4639]

A violin not horns, watch it live in London

[@ijustneedmyself]

If, like me, you grew up listening to music that had a very clear melody and groove, this music will be hard to listen to and you won't like it at first. I think the song is worth another listen because at some point you may understand it and grow to like (love??) it. I'm glad to see you're open to listening to more of their music because they're an excellent band. They have a lot music that's easier to get into than this song. This was a whack over the head for you 😂

[@peterbartolomeo956]

Try the version from Lous album ROCK N ROLL ANIMAL. BESTALBUM

[@lipby]

VU invented art rock, and the idea wasn't necessarily to make music that is enjoyable. This isn't even the most out there track on the album.

[@Cookie_moonlove]

I love Velvet Underground. You should try to close your eyes and feel the music, it takes you away. And I totally don't agree with you for me it's not unpleasent for me it's not bizzare this music calms me and it's music you feel. And I see people have explained the taking heroine speed up then calm for you.

[@vruth23]

precursor to punk.

[@jennhurl]

✌❤🎵

[@lordbyron6293]

Very tolerable...hilarious. Great album

[@DurandCompton]

Close your tabs. Damn.

[@TeezMcGee]

Your ocd going crazy lol I got you next time

[@ijustneedmyself]

You think that's bad? 👀😂

[@jimmyhackles9502]

At least there’s nothing x rated like on some despicable Senator laptop.

[@thoru4367]

My bro, please can you react to the Smiths - Shoplifters of the World i beg you

[@jennymagidson1925]

Not supposed to be enjoyable - that's the way it goes with heroin!😉

[@kathleenkilmartin5494]

Drugs.

[@fishhookism]

Obviously you're not understanding the meaning of the song. Maybe stick to simpler songs.

[@cookz2]

It’s all about the rush.