The Velvet Underground » Tracks
Heroin (8:15)
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“Heroin” is a song by The Velvet Underground, released on their 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground and Nico. Written by Lou Reed in 1964, the song is one of the band’s most celebrated compositions, overtly depicting heroin use and abuse. Critic Mark Deming writes, “While ‘Heroin’ hardly endorses drug use, it doesn’t clearly condemn it, either, which made it all the more troubling in the eyes of many listeners”.
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it #448 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2006, Pitchfork Media ranked it #77 on their list of the 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s. In 2007 Mental Floss magazine listed it as one of ten songs that changed the world.
“Heroin” was among a three-song set to be re-recorded at T.T.G. Studios, Hollywood before being included on the final release of The Velvet Underground and Nico (along with “I’m Waiting for the Man” and “Venus in Furs”). This recording of the song would be the album’s second longest at 7 minutes and 12 seconds, being eclipsed only by “European Son” by about thirty seconds.
“Heroin” begins slowly with Lou Reed’s quiet, melodic guitar and hypnotic drum patterns by Maureen Tucker, soon joined by John Cale’s droning electric viola and Sterling Morrison’s steady rhythm guitar. The tempo increases gradually, mimicking the high the narrator receives from the drug, until a frantic crescendo is reached, punctuated by Cale’s shrieking viola and the more punctuated guitar strumming of Reed and Morrison.
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it #448 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2006, Pitchfork Media ranked it #77 on their list of the 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s. In 2007 Mental Floss magazine listed it as one of ten songs that changed the world.
“Heroin” was among a three-song set to be re-recorded at T.T.G. Studios, Hollywood before being included on the final release of The Velvet Underground and Nico (along with “I’m Waiting for the Man” and “Venus in Furs”). This recording of the song would be the album’s second longest at 7 minutes and 12 seconds, being eclipsed only by “European Son” by about thirty seconds.
“Heroin” begins slowly with Lou Reed’s quiet, melodic guitar and hypnotic drum patterns by Maureen Tucker, soon joined by John Cale’s droning electric viola and Sterling Morrison’s steady rhythm guitar. The tempo increases gradually, mimicking the high the narrator receives from the drug, until a frantic crescendo is reached, punctuated by Cale’s shrieking viola and the more punctuated guitar strumming of Reed and Morrison.
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One of the greatest songs ever... Lou Reed, a poetical musician...
Playing the velvet underground, the song is heroin... Live...
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Playing the velvet underground, the song is heroin... Live...
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Live With Lou Reed, Vol.1
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Shouts
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sunsetcup wrote:
for me it's one of the best song ever written.
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OGTL wrote:
not that extraordinary birdf
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birdf wrote:
I first heard this song yesterday, and when I found out that there is that line "Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life" I was like OMFG, because a few months ago I wrote a song that has a very similar line, even though I wasn't aware of this song back then... o_O
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spacefaceinfurs wrote:
I want to die while listening to this song.
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traubster wrote:
Herrrrrrrroin, be the death of me. You know that it's my wife and it's my life.
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traubster wrote:
I don't know just where I'm going.
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rosebudz wrote:
what a rush......
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greendreamz wrote:
ps.whatever,its a fucking dope song...
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greendreamz wrote:
goddamit,this song makes me wanna oil everytime i hear it....
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chanoir wrote:
En el cole me advirtieron que no oyera esta canción o correría el riesgo de quedar enganchado de por vida. Ahora soy adicto a The Velvet Underground. Ayuda!!
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Yadoso wrote:
Sparing some stupid drum stereo panning, this song is perfect.
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sunshinelover13 wrote:
i dont know just where im going.......
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adrianvigo wrote:
who doesn't want to try heroin after listening to this? ^^
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ian_donavan wrote:
other version x2
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redsky9205 wrote:
<3<3<3 amazing song
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AADDFFGGVVXX wrote:
231 E. 47th St. forever!
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dog_face wrote:
studio version is far, far better. still good though
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traubster wrote:
Bah! Not the best version of this song right here. Awesome song, but I prefer the studio version.
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berryHH wrote:
AWESOME!!
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thedarkpoet61 wrote:
ah,Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground...:D
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R4F43LW3B3R, Weirdelves, werbow and 5 other people loved The Velvet Underground – Heroin. 1 hour ago
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