Velvet Underground - Heroin, Live

[CherzieBear]

haj890 - Hi There. I got the Banana LP with Herion on it way back & heard it first on Los Angeles FM underground radio.  The station was below a church in Pasadena. That was back in the good old days when they'd play a whole side of an LP a once. I was wild for this album & played it until the end came loose.

What an incredible group of artists.

What a song.

[bamboostalker]

I will always love this song.  Always. <3

[biggerturtle]

god bless john cake you can all take a walk

[biggerturtle]

@biggerturtle cale ( fucked up)

[Raisin2girl]

This is fucking fantastic.

Li adoro.

[Flipper1974nz]

Less is more - The Velvet Underground = Godfathers of GREAT music.

[jaxareback]

Lou didn*t have a boring life without drugs, Lou had a boring life with Lou.Couldn*t write a song to save his life but could tell a better story than Graham Greene ! !

[tedhigh68]

This isn't actually the Velvet Underground. It's Lou, John Cale and Nico performing in Europe in the early 70s, after the demise of the band.

[Savorist]

fuck. you people are overanalyzing the shit out of this song. . lou reed wrote a song that was what it was like to do heroin. that's it. you understand this music better the more you're silent.

[bamboostalker]

@Savorist People never seen to understand they will hear more if they shut the hell up.

[svecter]

@Savorist sure.. writing about the shit of life and how sometimes u just gotta get TF out of it.

God lets us all down... u will find as u get old, sunshine :-)

[Patriol666]

"just say no!" he said. then he had a boring life without drugs.

[moravec481]

Can't believe what a handsome bad ass Lou Reed used to be... This dude is my hero.

[eruseron]

I've been a heroin user for 20 yeas now. am always fighting to quit or not to relapse. life has turned into a struggle, a constant battle against myself. lost a girlfriend to it, friends, you end up isolated, you hurt the ones that care for you. I'm noone to give advices but I beg the kids that read this not to try it.

[108maitri]

@eruseron Power to you. I quit after 10 years-you can do it ...you can, you can!!

[eruseron]

@108maitri Thanks man, good to hear you made it.

[CCmidwest]

@eruseron

I quit over 20 years ago..On occasion i may smoke some herb other than that rare indulgence i'm clean..Even after 20 years i have dreams of getting high and wake up having shakes and the taste..The hardiest thing for me is if i take a prescription pain killer it reminds me of the euphoria of the brown..Its hard and i don't envy your position but i do understand the suffering..You can quit and if your life is to be productive you must quit..My prayers are with you.

[eruseron]

@CCmidwest am glad you made it and thanks for the kind words. I just wanted to tell the eventual kid that ends up here, enjoys the song (as I did and still do) that it just isn't worth trying. there are other ways to express your sensibility. heroin is a life changer and obviously not in the good way, it is so difficult to get out of it and the price is just so high. Anyway, I wish strength to all of you.

[arielrebelfan1]

@eruseron pussyyyyyyyyyyy bitch

[TheKingOfConflikt]

Screw the high octave, auto-tuned, mainstream pieces of shit that are released today this is real music

[iamemerald22]

very true.

[diwoko]

they really will be popular in 1995

[zombiemaz]

NO..."AND EVERYBODY PUTING EVERYBODY ELSE DOWN LMAO...LIKE THAT LINE BETTER

[caliumn]

@TheReggaeslave I never comment on things, but this one got me. Not even 15 and yet you can afford pills, cocaine, cigarettes and 'pot'? No 15 year old has that kind of money. If you are doing this to be a troll then good on you. But otherwise seriously what is wrong with you that you feel compelled to make stuff up like that for attention on the internet? Maybe you should go and get high so you stop being a total wank on youtube.

[RottenDoctorGonzo]

@caliumn I suppose you think you're clever? Well, you're not. Very quick to judge and decide another person's life, a person you've never met, aren't you? And with such conviction, too. Yes, sure, tell them to 'go and get high'! That's helpful. And 'no 15 yr old has that kind of money'? Are you serious? Do you believe your own words and comments about the world you live in? You know, sometimes it's okay to say nothing if one just does not know. Maybe you WERE 'right' - but that's not the point.

[caliumn]

@RottenDoctorGonzo Not quick to judge on a usual basis but that comment is obviously bullshit. I'm aware that some children get hooked on drugs from an early age, and that is tragic, but a coke head ain't gonna moan on the internet about their problems, a stoner wouldn't care, and a drug addict wouldn't even mention 'ciggs' cause in light of his other supposed addictions that isn't really an issue. And if you are such a Hunter S. Thompson fan then don't reply some anti-drug preaching bullshit.

[RottenDoctorGonzo]

@caliumn My point was you were so certain. And these subjects are too sensitive for us to just attack people and call them bullshitters, on pure guess work. But, for what it's worth, I now feel that maybe you were right(!) Regarding your HST comment - I never preached any anti-drug bullshit. You know nothing about my life/choices, BUT... NEWS FLASH: a person CAN be a HST fan AND be against drugs. The two are not necessarily connected. If you don't know that, you have some growing up to do, kid.

[Timmybear]

@RottenDoctorGonzo - I agree with your points. I mean, I don't drink alcohol or coffee and don't smoke, shoot or snort anything, but I'm pro-legalization (I'm a little divided on the subject of tobacco - I'd rather not be around anyone who smokes...but don't think it should be impossible to smoke as long as it's still legal...). I'd rather people I loved didn't get hooked on heroin, but I'd rather people I love didn't engage in legally recognized relationships either - I wouldn't stop them.

[MelStar111]

i've not known the "pull" of heroin; not ever letting myself "go there", having had 3 family members die from it's evil. i pray for all here who are or have struggled with this demon.

[Daddyo94521]

I guess I just dont know.

[x20Tours]

Relax, I'm on some run, spun from a daughters son, free to string a tune from some stances songs so soon, sins slippery sliding slopes, suns shine so super sails, South smiles shapes silently ;-)

[metsaintiaani]

I don´t know why I am so interested this little man show. Hey if there some intelligence guide about this stuff. Could you help me and do it with me I pay only a one time of course.

[Locust1313]

I'm strung out on Eno, but this is helping me break the addiction

[fuhoney]

This is Epic????

Give me a break....

[annchap1]

@fuhoney ...it is called poetry. that is why it gets just a basic beat. very popular in the coffee houses back then. That is what this always reminded me of

[AlxndrTheGreat]

without monotonic drum beat this song is nothing. Bad sound

[Dom784]

@AlxndrTheGreat Who are you to judge, every version has to be different!

[TheLexyboy]

to me, this is one of the most honest songs ive ever heard....

[4578a]

Historic footage, live on heroin.

[LauDowney]

god!! I wish i was there hearing this master piece live :(

[FuckThisCentury]

epic

[isrslyhateuguys]

kcoc kcus

[rogerpue]

make me shoot H up my butt or evevery where as long i get high

[elpitiuso]

btw, I... don't know... what you guys (z0mby and Zepeideiro) think about it but to me, this version of the song is amazing. Take care.

[elpitiuso]

two chords only... and yet here's one of the greatest rockn roll song ever written... a broken dream, a choice of life no worst than any other... all in all what's left in the end? not much besides the life style you choose... love.

[z0mby]

put in perfection

[somaditya75]

elpitiuso...thanks for the lovely comment....ur right.

[LiamGallagher1806]

@elpitiuso

maybe a stupid question, but where did you get that quote from. its beautiful.

[eruseron]

@elpitiuso nicely said but sadly not entirely true. indeed it is a broken dream, but it actually is a worst lifestyle. anyway keep writing nice things :)

[fuckamericanidiot]

@elpitiuso beautiful

[MsIambicPentagram]

Wow, strangeparty, can you be any more condescending? It is those same 50K+ masses who made Warhol famous who made VU famous. They were ground-breakers, opening up the eyes of people who had no choice but to accept the pap that was all you could find at the time. Just because the Internet lives and now EVERYONE can be exposed to ANYTHING at ANY TIME doesn't make it a bad thing, and doesn't make you a prophet. The variety of music, art, etc. that is thriving now is because of ALL of us!

[whiteboysnyc]

Your taste for dick is moving.

[zepeideiro]

(we can't forget the ones like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Ian Curtis or the recent Beck, reportedly fans of these genious band). It is undeniable, though, that today, the Warhol style and all the Factory movement is turning fashion, but it's our role to keep it on the same way, underground, and rejected by all, 'cause that the way things are and were made to be. Most of the people aren't mentally ready for a band like this, but we just have to go on, and forget them.

[zepeideiro]

it's impossible not to ask how such a great band, on the same level of greats like The Beatles, Dylan, Rolling Stones and some like those, is not recognized in the same way. But I think that's the point of The Velvet Underground, an underground band, apart of everything and everyone, independent, that grew up in one of the most artistic environments ever, and wich progressed through the years in this same environment

[zepeideiro]

There are no doubts that The Velvet Underground are one of the most underrated bands of all time,

[elpitiuso]

do you really think they are so underrated? Maybe they are in some places but where I am from (Belgium/Spain) they are considered by a lot of people as one of the most influencial bands. I read they were quiet underrated when they started though but nowadays, since this song was the only non-Doors song in Oliver Stone's biopic soundtrack, they reached younger generations.

[Shortstacklover]

Carmina Burana was on that soundtrack too ;) that's how I discovered them, I agree they are everyhting but underated now, they are legends.

[z0mby]

thats the way all music goes though, really.

[z0mby]

@elpitiuso i too am an ex-oxycontin addict, and with the two highs, heroin and oxy being similar, although i never shotup, i'd agree this song is a perfect representation of the feeling and only someone who lived the lifestyle can fully understand what emotions were captured when they recorded this song.

[theblob34]

so well said and so true glad your claen well done

[jquintal4]

this song is pure effing genius

[luthander]

kind of miss the "its my life and its my wife" part

but it's a great version

[marianodn89]

los acordes son sol y fa,como el tema de sumo con el mismo nombre

the chords are G and F like SUMO'S songs called HEROINE.

AGUANTE LUCA

[AirHendrix91]

Anyone know the chords to this song?

I know the first one is a D Chord with half a step down but I can't get the other one. Is it a form of A?

It's got to be in a key lower than E.

[higgs456]

G I believe

[bizza52]

i play it half a step down with D as you said as the first chord then into open Db Gb Bb strings. thats the original recording.

[AirHendrix91]

Oh ok, so you tune down half a step right?

I just play a regular D down a step as I'm sure I said before but I didn't want to confuse you of what I actually did.

[louiseduvee]

Mr. Reed said it's a half-stop down from A (whatever that means).

[EddyMendozaAlegre]

Lou Reed rocks ON!

[MrDuall]

Grande Lou Reed

[Brawndiculous]

Am I crazy or is there no Drum Section?

I love the rhythmic thumping and it's not here...

[haj890]

hmm this is wierd

i was born in 47' and am not hearing about this velvet underground stuff untill now.

were they never played on the radio back in the 60's or what is it?

[MarioPedroII]

no,they were an underground band^^warhols movies never were big,right?and warhol was their manager or something like that,and they were a bit too "weird" for the public i guess,they are one of the fue real alternative bands,not like the shit people call indie and alternative today

[lukealpha]

Well, They were pretty popular in the NY underground. There first album was produced by Andy Warhol. Lou Reeds musical direction was heavily influenced by Andy. Lou, went off to achieve fame and success with his album Transformers. Listen to The Transformers and Berlin, that's his best work.

[simmy3000]

@haj890 No they didn't make an impact till much later on, much the same as the stooges both bands were hailed by Bowie as being influences and when the punk movement exploded everyone was dropping their names, it's like they skipped a generation

[seafoamgreeny]

@haj890 not mainstream...i think the name of the band somehow says that.

[Timmybear]

@haj890 - No, they were NOT played on the radio - not even their 'pop' songs. Not even on college radio, by most accounts.

[ItchythaWookiee]

@haj890 Not really. Of course, at a time when even the Beatles faced censorship for minor drug references a song like Heroin would be beyond the pale.

However, they did have a few songs, like What Goes On, that they marketed as singles but flopped.

[intenzez]

@haj890 Nope

[TheRichcolours]

@haj890 Legit... No Airplay

[04dawging1]

@haj890 They were never known untill much later. But the origins of punk, alternative, etc was born born here.

[Floydiano91]

Thanks Lou Reed for this song..."Cause when the blood....begins to flow...." wonderful...i think this is the best lyric and music i've ever seen and heard.....

[DANLEO5]

I think Artists like Lou Reed write songs like this assuming only the very stupid hear it and think they should use.

[TheJonMaster]

are that ignorent?

[shevardnaze]

so true.

[Getoutofhiswayman]

After finally getting clean, this song makes me feel a range of emotions. It makes me cry for a number of reasons.

[pauloriodejaneiro200]

Just for today!

Keep clean and avoid the first contact.

Best wishes, buddy!

[rockonredbull]

im too pussy to try heroin because i don't like needles

[welshdevondragon]

That's a good thing!

[famAAAs]

same here lol

[frankopalk]

You also can smoke it ! - But the better way is to keep clean mayby a joint sometimes is OK.

[yt4testing]

After a couple of months of shooting H & now having stopped. I finally get this song.

[insertbadname]

cigars and shisha only for me :D

[NordischWalker]

This man spokes the "REALITY"- the Truth, for an Opiate -addict,i had my wisdoms...womderful Song!

[louiseduvee]

Best performance of this song that I have EVER seen1

Thank you so much, for sharing it.

~L:D

[corning1]

Well I am no Heroin addict... thank god. But I am an alcohlic. After binging for a while I get these uncontrolable shakes... it's so embarassing... it is pathetic. I've read the comments on here and I wish you people all the best... Heroin is more addicting that ciggaretes... good luck to you all and I mean that whole heartedly. Classes can help you man. Don't die from the shit, you are worth more than that. No I don't believe in god though. Just believe in yourself although it can be VERY hard

[champus89]

u suck dude

[spiderziggy]

This is probably the best rock song ever.

[hbdavew]

I have a lot of friends that used to be heroin addicts but aren't any more.

So you never know.

[natalie21178]

if you don't want to be then stop.  YOU are the only person that can stop it.

[PeaceBirchwood]

This song is immense...absolutely amazing.

[imbob1234566]

we only live once, who needs a reason when we got haroin.

[arvid0391]

Choose life man, choose a career, choose a car, choose a family, choose a friend, choose a drying machine, choose a house, choose a TV, i choose not to choose, this song would fitted in Trainspotting better than Perfect day

[TornTeddy22]

It sure would have! What in the hell were they thinking?

[nomadichomemaker]

one of the best crafted songs of all time

thank you for posting

[fnnichols]

Gun Clubs HEROIN TO ME ,is a great heroin song also,maybe even better?ROSS

[agustinrijetkovic]

"just like jesus son" it fuckin' rules dude

[moxito1]

i dont even know you and i will never do but i m proud of your ability to overcome this devil : ). the song is perfect makes me dream away : )

[nomadichomemaker]

one of the best songs ever written!

[AirHendrix91]

IIIIIIIIIIII Don't know where I'm Goin'.

[mykeyopens]

this song gives me chills.... ive worn my needle until it's turned to hook and drug me away with dirty looks.... i started when i was 18 quit when i was 22.. hardest thing ive ever done.. i think about it every few hours everyday and dream about it, i wake up sweating at night and scream about it... im sober still so far... wish me luck..

[cooldevinis]

hey man stay strong

how long've you been straight for?

[mykeyopens]

a year on the 23... a very long year...a million miles long...

[neonxnest]

im on the same boat. the most beautifully disgusting thing i have ever done to myself. 2 years clean and not a day goes by when i dont think about it.

[JRR951]

what's the high like compared to marijuana?

[mykeyopens]

i am afraid it really doesn't compare to mj.. different kind of euphoria. H is more like an orgasm of your whole body. if you're bangin, that is, but (who would waste it any other way). the euphoria and headchange is of opium. a large dose of morphine is comparable, it makes you feel terribly wonderful. makes you feel like your head could roll of your shoulders and you sink into an enveloping ecstatic beanbag of pure bliss.. it is a devil. "considerately killing me"-MJK

[dontalkshite]

Hi mykeyopens, I buried my son in Dec.2008, he died through the use of heroin, he was 32yrs. old. Try your very best Mykey. Good luck and take care, Paul.

[mykeyopens]

you have my deepest condolences, my friend. i cannot imagine your pain and perspective. i can assure you that i will never allow myself to be a slave to such a devil as heroin again. i thank God everyday that i got out alive.. i was so so naive.. good luck to you Paul.

[dontalkshite]

thank you for that mykey, I am not religious but I do believe in a higher power or powers and I fully intend to bring you before it in prayer; I hope you don't mind. Best wishes, Paul.

[corning1]

I can't even imagine the shit you are going through. Best of luck to you bro. It's all up to you man... just like I've been fighting this alcohol shit... it's so hard for me.. I can't imagine what you are going through.

[TheLexyboy]

@mykeyopens all the best, hope you're still strong

[clewbe]

@mykeyopens good luck mate

[thot4]

@mykeyopens Good luck. Try for the kingdom if you can.

[artistsandbox]

@mykeyopens good luck! 

[TheLoveshag]

@mykeyopens

I wish you the best!

[relaxingmusic101]

@mykeyopens Glad to hear, hang in there :)

[andf21]

@mykeyopens

best of luck bud. played this song at my mate's funeral 15 years ago. don't go there. have many lovely christmases instead.

[whiteheatukband]

@andf21 you played it at his funeral thats pretty insenstive?

[Nadaz0]

good song makes me feel better about what im going through

[onionhole]

brilliant and sad

[powerfullogic]

I started doing heroin because of this song more than 30 years ago. Still shooting up and going strong!

[deadkhc]

Lucky you I s two straight and without anything to do borrrrriiiiinnnnnggggg, yo will now what i meaN

[AlbaScura91]

This song is amazing...

[Nahasanamapela]

What the...! This is too good!

[Neperud]

this was written by lou reed when he was 16 and was a piece of music way before V.U.

but the band put the song togheter though :)

[LogInAnders]

really? but he didn't do heroin at the age of 16, did he?

[ThunderwingLP]

magical

[mattylad388]

Cos it makes me feel like i'm a man.....

45 yr old... 30 yr habit.... Don't go there...

the Mersey looks cold today

[RRPMUSICOFFICIAL]

there's a roughly 7 min version of the same recording, the german editors cut this video clip short but the mp3 is out on different downloaders (Soulseek) is what I used

[Slipknlov]

i knew that wasn't jim morrison singing.

Why is it that people say this song is by the doors?

[thumperuk2002]

because it was used in the oliver stone film "the doors"

[pukinpunk]

People might think this is a Doors song because in the mid 90's movie about them had this song in it

[AgenteL123]

A piece of music history. Thank you.

[TheHoleInTheGround]

Wonderful. My preferite song, my preferite performance.

[qwsxcder]

Probably the best performance I've heard of this song.

[rob38681]

absolutely amazing

[UtoobRulz]

lou!

[chapugino]

groso

[LydonandMoi]

que canción más buena!!! un poco yonki pero que quieres, es Lou Reed!!! gracias por poner este video