If God Spoke to Lou Reed
Song of the Week
"If God showed up tomorrow and asked me, 'Do you want to be president?' I’d say, 'No.' 'Do you want to be in politics?' 'No.' 'Do you want to be a lawyer?' 'No.' 'What do you want?' 'I want to be a rhythm guitar player.'"—Lou Reed.
SONG OF THE WEEK: “What Goes On” (Velvet Underground cover)
...In 1968 Lou Reed and Velvet Underground were in a Hollywood studio to put the final touches on their 3rd album (“What Goes On” b/w “Jesus” would be the only single from this LP).
Reed’s manic, solid-perfect guitar is the backbone; He sounded happy to be alive, singing, "Lady be good/Do what you should/It's gonna be all right.” The hypnotic VU original had a trance-y organ, and in concert they’d stretch it to 9-minute otherworldly rumbles. I added this song to my own live set in 2010, then recorded it for my I LIKE THE STREET album. I took it into a power pop-guitar “glam grunge bubblegum” zone…like The Hollies merged with The Posies. Listen here (feedback welcome)
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