"Heroin (song)
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| "Heroin (song) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Heroin |
| Artist | The Velvet Underground |
| Album | The Velvet Underground & Nico |
| Released | March 12, 1967 |
| Genre | Art rock, Experimental rock |
| Length | 7:12 |
| Writer | Lou Reed |
| Producer | Tom Wilson, Andy Warhol |
"Heroin (song)" is a song by the American rock band The Velvet Underground, from their debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico, which was released in 1967 and produced by Tom Wilson and Andy Warhol. The song was written by Lou Reed, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, and features a distinctive sound that blends elements of art rock, experimental rock, and avant-garde music. The song's lyrics, which explore themes of drug addiction and social isolation, have been interpreted as a commentary on the counterculture of the 1960s and the hippie movement, with references to Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William S. Burroughs.
Background
The song "Heroin" was written by Lou Reed in 1966, during a period of intense creativity for the band, which also included John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tucker. The song's lyrics were influenced by Reed's own experiences with heroin addiction, as well as his observations of the drug culture in New York City, particularly in the Greenwich Village neighborhood, where the band often performed at venues like Max's Kansas City and The Fillmore. The song's themes of addiction and social isolation were also influenced by the works of William S. Burroughs, Hubert Selby Jr., and Jean Genet, and have been compared to the writings of Charles Baudelaire and Arthur Rimbaud.
Composition
The composition of "Heroin" features a simple, repetitive melody played on the violin by John Cale, accompanied by a slow, driving rhythm played on the drums by Maureen Tucker and the bass guitar by Sterling Morrison. The song's sound is characterized by its use of distortion and feedback, which creates a sense of tension and unease, and has been compared to the music of The Stooges, The MC5, and The New York Dolls. The song's lyrics, which are delivered in a deadpan style by Lou Reed, feature a narrative that explores the experiences of a heroin addict, from the initial rush of the drug to the eventual descent into addiction and despair, with references to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Doors.
Release
"Heroin" was released in 1967 on the album The Velvet Underground & Nico, which was produced by Tom Wilson and Andy Warhol. The album was a commercial failure at the time of its release, but has since been recognized as a groundbreaking and influential work in the development of punk rock, new wave music, and alternative rock, with fans like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Debbie Harry. The song "Heroin" has been praised for its innovative sound and its unflinching portrayal of the realities of drug addiction, and has been covered by numerous artists, including The Jesus and Mary Chain, Nirvana, and R.E.M., who have all cited The Velvet Underground as a major influence.
Reception
The reception of "Heroin" was initially mixed, with some critics praising the song's innovative sound and others condemning its explicit lyrics and themes, with comparisons to the works of Lenny Bruce and Allen Ginsberg. The song was banned by several radio stations, including WABC in New York City, and was the subject of controversy and debate, with discussions involving William F. Buckley Jr., Gore Vidal, and Norman Mailer. However, over time, the song has come to be recognized as a classic of rock music, and has been praised by critics and fans alike for its raw, unflinching portrayal of the realities of drug addiction, with references to The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks.
Legacy
The legacy of "Heroin" can be heard in the music of numerous artists who have been influenced by The Velvet Underground, including punk bands like The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, and The Clash, as well as new wave and post-punk bands like Talking Heads, The Cars, and Joy Division. The song's innovative sound and its unflinching portrayal of the realities of drug addiction have also made it a staple of college radio and alternative rock radio, with plays on stations like WFMU and KEXP, and have influenced artists like Kurt Cobain, Thurston Moore, and Kim Gordon.
Live Performances
"Heroin" has been performed live by The Velvet Underground on numerous occasions, including a famous performance at the Factory in 1966, which was attended by Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, and Gerard Malanga. The song has also been performed by Lou Reed in his solo career, and has been covered by numerous artists in live performances, including The Jesus and Mary Chain, Nirvana, and R.E.M., who have all cited The Velvet Underground as a major influence, along with Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. The song's live performances have been praised for their intensity and energy, and have been compared to the live performances of Iggy Pop, David Bowie, and Patti Smith.