Health & Fitness
Interesting Cover Versions of Velvet Underground (and Lou Reed solo) Songs
With Lou Reed's recent passing I pay tribute by suggesting some interesting covers of his songs.
As big a fan I am of alternative music, even I find Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground recordings to be an acquired taste. My aversion is not as severe as my dislike of Bob Dylan recordings, but the net effect is the same: I prefer other people recording Lou Reed's and Bob Dylan's songs over the originals.
Lou Reed passed away recently. Even though I was not a big fan, I did understand and appreciate his contribution to rock, especially to alternative music.
Here is a list of interesting cover versions of Velvet Underground and Lou Reed songs.
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"All Tomorrow's Parties" - Japan
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Artsy New Romantic act Japan released their version of this Velvet Underground song on their 1979 'Quiet Life' album. Their version contained a typical Japan arrangement including sax, synth and Mick Karn's distinctive basslines. The original version was on the debut Velvet's album 'The Velvet Underground and Nico' (1967) with Nico on lead vocals.
"Waiting For The Man" - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
As expected, OMD bring minimalist synth pop production to this classic from their debut 1979 self-titled album. The original is from VU's debut with Lou Reed on vocals.
"I'll Be Your Mirror" - The Primitives
British indie pop band The Primitives covered "I'll Be Your Mirror" in 1989 on their 'Pure' album. It doesn't deviate much from the tempo and mood of the original but brings a more updated production quality. The original was on the debut Velvet's album and also featured Nico on vocals.
"Rock & Roll" - The Runaways
In 1976, glam girl-rockers, The Runaways injected raw hard rock (and a cowbell) into this up-tempo tune originally from 1970's Velvet Underground album 'Loaded' with Lou Reed on vocals.
"Femme Fatale" - Aloe Blacc
Aloe Blacc turns the Velvets on their ear with his soulful version of "Femme Fatale", also from the debut Velvet Underground album. This recording almost sounds like it could be from 1972. Nico handled the lead vocals on the original.
"White Light/White Heat" - David Bowie
Frequently played in concert, David Bowie's live version of "White Light/White Heat" was captured on the Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture Soundtrack (recorded in 1973, but not released until ten years later). Bowie, like many, was clearly influenced by The Velvet Underground and became a sometime collaborator with Lou Reed. The original version was on the album of the same name, released in 1968.
"Perfect Day" - Kirsty MacColl/Evan Dando
British pop singer, the late Kirsty MacColl teamed up with Boston's Evan Dando in 1995 for a beautiful rendition of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day". The original version is from the 1972 David Bowie-produced 'Tranformer' album.
"Street Hassle" - Simple Minds
In 1984, Simple Minds boiled Lou Reed's nearly 11 minute epic title track of his 1978 album "Street Hassle" down to about five minutes; still doing the song justice while making it their own.
"Intro/Sweet Jane" - Lou Reed
Not a cover in the strict sense of the word, because the song is Lou Reed's (though originally from 1970's VU album 'Loaded'). For Reed's 1974 concert tour, he enlisted hard rock musicians. Some were borrowed from Alice Cooper's band. These guys played nothing like the kind of proto-indie rock The Velvet Underground had created. The resulting album was more along the lines of something you would hear from Mott The Hoople, Humble Pie or T.Rex. The almost four-minute intro to "Sweet Jane" with Steve Hunter's soaring guitar solos sets the tone for the rest of the album. Reed didn't return to this style again during his career.
