The Velvet Underground - Satellite of Love (alternate demo)

The alternate version of the velvet undergrounds track, satellite of love, featured on Loaded.

[@Szylepiel]

Wow, I only just know found this version and I really enjoy it. It isn't as refined as Lou's solo version, but has kinda funky groove vibe that is very much enjoyable.

[@mick2spic]

You need to explore the rest of the Velvets catalogue. There’s some amazing rhythms and grooves, plus ballads and experimental jams. Lou covered like 8 or so Velvet songs on his solo albums. I prefer the Velvet versions.

[@Szylepiel]

@@mick2spic I've listened thoroughly to all four Velvets' studio albums (bar Squeeze) and to the "VU" compilation. I've yet to listen to more obscure demos and live versions though, but that will also happen some time probably.

[@mick2spic]

@@Szylepiel Their live album released in 1972 (live performances from 1968) was my first introduction to the band and it’s still soo brilliant to me. Half of the songs on that double album were from a fan who tapped a performance in Dallas. That fan incidentally because a musician himself and played with Lou Reed later on in the 70’s. The other half of that album is performances from the Matrix club in San Francisco I believe. The Velvets played at that club for awhile and became quite popular there and luckily the club tapped all performances. The club teased Velvet fans fur years that they had these unheard live recordings (only a small handful were released in 72), and the Matrix club finally made a deal to release them all around 5 years ago. They are amazingly clear. I might listen to the 72 live album first and then the Matrix compilation. And there’s also a couple other live albums, nothing as clear sounding as the latest Matrix album. But there is one I loved greatly where the Velvets came back to NY and the crowd wanted Lou to play a lot of his slow ballads and that live performance is awesome for myself. I forgot the name of that one, it is on Spotify though. Enjoy them when you get around to listening!

[@PCDisciple]

I LOVE Lou's voice on this

[@nugsymalone1247]

as soon as it started I though of kurt cobain

[@racializedkanadian]

Lou really could sing when he wanted to LOL ... bless him forever! I love this and the demo version of rock n roll ... epic lou

[@natetheguitarkid]

"this is called satellite of love?" "...Yeaaa." In this world as we know it, sorrows come and go, now we see the human race, has put its footprints on the moons face.

[@FinalCodKillOfTheDay]

SATELLITES GONE

[@eddietasker9110]

@@FinalCodKillOfTheDay UP TO THE SKY

[@anelbeadswithagoodfriend2619]

@@eddietasker9110 but its not as nice as looking in your eyes

[@eddietasker9110]

@@anelbeadswithagoodfriend2619 TAKE IT FOR A LIL WHILE SO I CAN WATCH IT ON TV YEAAAAAH

[@paulsouth2604]

This really is the Velvets' version. It's so raw and perfect.

[@olivianorman2859]

i have always loved this version

[@oanarenault1219]

guess I prefer much more this version. .it so lovely

[@gisleineleite6122]

True 😉

[@chloenightingale]

Same! :)

[@brandyclabo721]

I love how playful it is, I feel like I'm right there with him just chilling

[@lukeheywood7334]

Winkin blinkin and nod

[@elizabethhann4028]

While obviously being a lot rougher and less polished than the version that Reed would eventually release on his 1972 album TRANSFORMER, this does have a ramshackle charm (at least, if you ask me). With its combination of tentative acoustic-guitar backing and big-flourish lyrical intro ("In this world as we know it,/Sorrows come and go,/But now we see the human race/Has put its footprints on the moon's face...") this version of "Satellite of Love" is haunted by the specter of (of all things)...DOO-WOP! it sounds like a silly doo-wop love song - like "She's My Angel", by Randy and the Rainbows, which also predominantly features acoustic guitar, as opposed to string section - gone berserk. I love it! Some days I think Lou Reed was always a doo-wopper at heart; if you don't believe me, listen to "I Found A Reason."

[@jimjames3951]

this is way better than the over-produced transformer version but i love mick ronson, so i may by wrong.i dunno

[@tylerparr8488]

Jim James can’t go wrong is the thing they’re both good mate cheers

[@peterlukach310]

@@jimjames3951 I do feel the transformer version kinda feels more numb, I think they kinda have different meanings, this one seems more lively and hopeful where the transformer one is more of a cynical passion.

[@johnhughes9019]

You've no doubt heard Reed's high school band The Jades? That was in c.1957 ; a professionally recorded album . It's pure Doo-Wop!

[@bobbyarp-dc6bh]

he was when he was younger!

[@KimberTheRealGiver]

my favorite fictional spaceship was named after this song

[@bluegenes2273]

tom servo for president.

[@Johnconno]

@@bluegenes2273 With Captain Ron Jeremy.

[@stetrak1967]

Very nice version, Lou's voice is fantastic

[@TheBerk01]

now THIS is music.

[@gettingmoreholethant]

TOO right brother! keep on groovin

[@Johnconno]

POPTASTIC!

[@trfesok]

In my Lou Reed playlist with the "Transformer" version and U2's covers. Their version sounds more like this than Lou's does! Thanks for the upload!

[@jackbarlow3337]

It never fails to sonically resonant

[@jeffschick1669]

This song has a verse! Be still my ❤.

[@ekolke]

Love it!

[@christianmourlon4824]

I didn't know it was material from the VU days.

[@Dolvh]

Lyrics: In this world as we know it Sorrows come and go Now we see the human race Has put it's footprints on the moon's face Satellite's gone up to the sky But it's not as nice as looking in your eyes Woh, take it for a little while No, I could watch it on tv, yeah Satellite of love, oh, satellite of love Satellite of love, satellite of Satellite's gone up to the sky But you know it's not as ever as nice as looking in your eyes Woh, take it for a little while No, I can watch it on tv, yeah Satellite of love, satellite of love Satellite of love, satellite of I've been told, baby, you've been bold To winkin', blinkin' and nod Monday, tuesday, wednesday and thursday To winkin', blinkin' and nod Satellite of love, satellite of love Satellite of love, satellite of Satellite of love Satellite of love, it's just a little bit of A satellite of love

[@los.ausentes]

My fav version of this beautufull song

[@Everett302]

I lovve this stuff

[@Lieu3C4]

A work in progress or progress in the works, either way, one can but be blown away, if we knew what followed.

[@matyaskvapil7674]

I like this version much more

[@NOWtheband]

Good.

[@drstevie]

Immense.

[@edrepard]

yessssssss

[@nugsymalone1247]

I couldn't imagine hangin out with them including andy and nico.... I'd be all fucked up

[@bearcubd3900]

Yeah them comedowns would be ruff af !!!

[@NOWtheband]

Fair enough.

[@FinalCodKillOfTheDay]

best version

[@4merthxt721]

"i came"

[@pompousegg]

amazing version don't know which is better

[@pompousegg]

version*

[@bluegenes2273]

I see no reason in the world to choose.

[@NOWtheband]

@@bluegenes2273 - Quite.

[@sukie584]

...but now we see the human race has put its footprints on the Moon's face.. totally Lou's humor..

[@alifakhreddine998]

Punk rock version.

[@Johnconno]

aaa...shoooo...beee.dddooo.wop...babbyyyy...bop.bop.sha...woooooo...bing.

[@lazoclaudia9856]

l o v e y a r e e d

[@RonaldComet]

I've always thought Satellite of Love is too damn goopy, but this is pretty cool

[@KRISPYKWENT29]

I love it! Is Mo on drums?

[@jonasboone2679]

@Greg Hubbard I'm pretty sure doug yule did most of the drums on loaded cause Moe Tucker was pregnant and this is from those sessions, but I could be wrong and/or this could be an exception to that rule. However it doesn't sound like her usual mallets and no cymbals technique so 🤷‍♀️

[@fallenishvalen9970]

Towards the end she really started to lean into the cymbals more in a funk sorta way (on live recordings at least) so it really leaves me wondering. I think this may be dougie but he did a really good job of emulating moe if it is imo, it has that same vibe in the kick drum.

[@fallenishvalen9970]

I imagine it is Doug though because this version has no bass, the bass was probs overdubbed.

[@natetheguitarkid]

I dont think so but possible. Most likely not. also to someone else that was commenting. the other demo of this has bass.

[@MyThrillKillKult]

nicccccccccccccccccccccccccceeeeeeeeee

[@TheodoreDorado]

BERST VERSION ERVER

[@crappybassist96]

Interesting version. I still prefer the Transformer one, but I'd be interested to hear a fully-realized uptempo take - sounds like they were still learning the song here, and the lyrics are unfinished, though not by that much.

[@CagliostroML]

Sounds like an alternate demo? xDDD

[@natetheguitarkid]

i like it better only because it has more guitar action. their both great versions though.

[@trfesok]

There's another, harder rocking demo on the two disc reissue of "Loaded".

[@alifakhreddine998]

I love the Transformer version but imo they are barely comparable completely different trac to my brain

[@lebaobab256]

Set a Light, Ovlov?

[@catharinethomas5797]

Joel Hodgson brought me here.

[@BobbyTaylor-io1od]

0:40

[@timdc4972]

0:39

[@Rayhan-zu9np]

Sounds like a Bender's song

[@fuzzcous]

Very cool to hear this but I prefer the Transformer version.

[@bluegenes2273]

I go back and forth.

[@timdc4972]

autobots roll out

[@mikeroby1313]

This doesn't sound like the version from the box set-can anybody confirm it yea or nay?

[@mikeroby1313]

Jeez, I not only missed the fine print on this, I missed the full-size letters too. Sorry to all...

[@johncoan]

it's a different take. His vocal is different

[@natetheguitarkid]

Its different. no bass, and no yule backing vocals

[@kellyprice8246]

Nice version, just needs a lot more Mick Ronson and David Bowie in the mix.

[@JD-jc8gp]

no.

[@electrojones]

Boy, this fucking stinks on ice, doesn't it? Well, everything has a development cycle.

[@NOWtheband]

It's hard to smell through the screen.

[@theMOONisNotcool]

best version