What Goes On – The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground, 1969. [4:55]
My college roommate turned me onto Lou Reed and the Velvets. I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to hear this music, and I instantly loved it. We spent long hours digging those great Velvet albums. I remember one intense evening staring at the huge Warhol banana poster on the wall with Heroin playing on the stereo and some substance or other causing me to see some really captivating and strange things coming out of that poster. Back then my favorite VU song was the instrumental version of Ride Into the Sun, but when Ethan and I had parted ways and he’d left me with a “Best of…” CD, I latched onto What Goes On, and it’s my all-time fave Lou tune.
If there was ever a song that recommended its creator for immortality on the basis of the rhythm guitar alone, this is it. The ultimate rock groove, Lou’s guitar chugs along for five minutes, insistent and undeniable. Just try to sit still during this song. Impossible.
My college roommate turned me onto Lou Reed and the Velvets. I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to hear this music, and I instantly loved it. We spent long hours digging those great Velvet albums. I remember one intense evening staring at the huge Warhol banana poster on the wall with Heroin playing on the stereo and some substance or other causing me to see some really captivating and strange things coming out of that poster. Back then my favorite VU song was the instrumental version of Ride Into the Sun, but when Ethan and I had parted ways and he’d left me with a “Best of…” CD, I latched onto What Goes On, and it’s my all-time fave Lou tune.
If there was ever a song that recommended its creator for immortality on the basis of the rhythm guitar alone, this is it. The ultimate rock groove, Lou’s guitar chugs along for five minutes, insistent and undeniable. Just try to sit still during this song. Impossible.
Other elements augment (organ and blaring lead guitar, Lou’s wonderfully gravelly vocal), but it’s that rhythm guitar that propels this tune. The momentum it creates is palpable, and towards the end it only intensifies, with Lou attacking the strings with vigor. The song could be thirty minutes long, and it would still feel too short. All hail Lou.
No comments:
Post a Comment