Having played guitar and sung in doo-wop groups in high school, Reed studied poetry at Syracuse University under Delmore Schwartz, and had served as a radio DJ, hosting a late-night avant garde music program while at college. After graduating from Syracuse, he went to work for Pickwick Records in New York City, a low-budget record company that specialized in sound-alike recordings, as a songwriter and session musician. A fellow session player at Pickwick was John Cale; together with Sterling Morrison and Angus MacLise, they would form the Velvet Underground in 1965. After building a reputation on the avant garde music scene, they gained the attention of Andy Warhol, who became the band's manager; they in turn became something of a fixture at The Factory, Warhol's art studio, and served as his "house band" for various projects. The band released their first album, now with drummer Moe Tucker and featuring German singer Nico, in 1967, and parted ways with Warhol shortly thereafter. Following several lineup changes and three more little-heard albums, Reed quit the band in 1970.
After leaving the band, Reed would go on to a much more commercially successful solo career, releasing twenty solo studio albums. His second, Transformer (1972), was produced by David Bowie and arranged by Mick Ronson, and brought him mainstream recognition. The album is considered an influential landmark of the glam rock genre, anchored by Reed's most successful single, "Walk on the Wild Side". After Transformer, the less commercial but critically acclaimed Berlin peaked at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart. Rock 'n' Roll Animal (a live album released in 1974) sold strongly, and Sally Can't Dance (1974) peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200; but for a long period after, Reed's work did not translate into sales, leading him deeper into drug addiction and alcoholism. Reed cleaned up in the early 1980s, and gradually returned to prominence with The Blue Mask (1982) and New Sensations (1984), reaching a critical and commercial career peak with his 1989 album New York.
Reed participated in the re-formation of the Velvet Underground in the 1990s, and made several more albums, including a collaboration album with John Cale titled Songs for Drella which was a tribute to their former mentor Andy Warhol. Magic and Loss (1992) would become Reed's highest-charting album on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at No. 6.
He contributed music to two theatrical interpretations of 19th century writers, one of which he developed into an album titled The Raven. He married his third wife Laurie Anderson in 2008, and recorded the collaboration album Lulu with Metallica. He died in 2013 of liver disease. Reed has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice; as a member of the Velvet Underground in 1996 and as a solo act in 2015.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reed
Studio albums
Lou Reed (1972)
Transformer (1972)
Berlin (1973)
Rock 'n' Roll Animal (1974)
Sally Can't Dance (1974)
Metal Machine Music (1975)
Coney Island Baby (1975)
Rock and Roll Heart (1976)
Street Hassle (1978)
The Bells (1979)
Growing Up in Public (1980)
The Blue Mask (1982)
Legendary Hearts (1983)
New Sensations (1984)
Mistrial (1986)
New York (1989)
Magic and Loss (1992)
Set the Twilight Reeling (1996)
Ecstasy (2000)
The Raven (2003)
Hudson River Wind Meditations (2007)
Walk on the Wild Side
Lou Reed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A.
Plucked her eyebrows on the way
Shaved her legs and then he was a she
She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
Candy came from out on the island
In the backroom, she was everybody's darlin'
But she never lost her head
Even when she was givin' head
She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
And the colored girls go
Do-do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do, do
Little Joe never once gave it away
Everybody had to pay and pay
A hustle here and a hustle there
New York City is the place where they said
"Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey Joe, take a walk on the wild side"
Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets
Lookin' for soul food and a place to eat
Went to the Apollo
You should have seen him go, go, go
They said, "Hey Sugar, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Alright, huh
Jackie is just speedin' away
Thought she was James Dean for a day
Then I guess she had to crash
Valium would have helped that bash
She said, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
I said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
And the colored girls say
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do
Do, do-do, do-do, do-do-do, do
Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" is a song that takes the listener on a journey through the seedy underbelly of New York City in the 60s, where characters like Holly, Candy, Little Joe, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Jackie reside. The song's opening lines introduce Holly, who hitches her way across the country before undergoing a transformation into a she. The chorus urges the listener to "take a walk on the wild side," inviting them to join these characters and to explore a world beyond their own experience. Candy is the next character introduced, a woman who has sex in exchange for money but remains in control of her head. Little Joe is depicted as a hustler, always scheming to make a quick buck in the city. Sugar Plum Fairy is a young man who goes to the Apollo looking for soul food and something to eat, with his dancing skills leaving a lasting impression. The final character, Jackie, leaves an impact with her disfigured and tragic end. The colored girls sing throughout the song, providing a soulful backing to the lyricists' dark and gritty portrayal of life.
Reed's song is particularly significant for its celebration of marginalized communities, such as transgender individuals and sex workers, though it has also garnered controversy for its depictions of the same. Beyond its controversial subject matter, the song is notable for its unique storytelling and the use of backing vocals by the Velvet Underground's "prisoners chorus." It was released as a single in November 1972 and quickly became a hit, peaking at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Line by Line Meaning
Holly came from Miami, F.L.A.
Holly, a person who was originally from Miami, Florida, hitchhiked across the United States to get where she wanted to go.
Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A.
Holly did not have a car to drive across the country, so she stood by the side of the road with her thumb up, asking strangers for rides.
Plucked her eyebrows on the way
As Holly hitchhiked across the country, she paid attention to her appearance, making sure her eyebrows were perfectly groomed.
Shaved her legs and then he was a she
Holly made a significant change in her appearance by shaving her legs, which was one step in the process of transitioning to a different gender identity.
She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side"
Holly invites others to join her on an unconventional, adventurous journey that may be a bit outside the norm but can be thrilling and exciting.
Said, "Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side"
Holly beckons out to the masses and encourages them to take risks and try something new that could be an eye-opening and enjoyable experience.
Candy came from out on the island
Candy was born on a distant isle and arrived in New York City from there.
In the backroom, she was everybody's darlin'
At the nightclub, Candy was a popular performer who was adored by everyone who saw her.
But she never lost her head
Despite the attention, Candy remained level-headed and did not become too egotistical or arrogant.
Even when she was givin' head
Candy held on to her values, remaining true to herself, even in intimate moments.
And the colored girls go
The background vocals are provided by a chorus of Black women, who give soulful melodies to accompany the lead vocals.
Little Joe never once gave it away
Little Joe was careful to protect his reputation and always made sure he gained something before giving away anything valuable.
Everybody had to pay and pay
People always had to sacrifice something of value in order to cross paths with Little Joe or to attain something he had access to.
A hustle here and a hustle there
Little Joe was always thinking about how he could make a quick dollar, sometimes acting a bit shifty in his dealings with others.
New York City is the place where they said
The city of New York was the epicenter of Little Joe's business dealings, and everyone who was anyone knew that's where they could find him.
Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets
Sugar Plum Fairy was a new arrival to the New York City scene, setting foot in the city with great expectations and lots of energy.
Lookin' for soul food and a place to eat
Sugar Plum Fairy had come to the city with a deep hunger for experiences and a yearning for deeper connections with people she met along the way.
Went to the Apollo
Sugar Plum Fairy made a pilgrimage to one of the most legendary music venues in the city, where she hoped to find inspiration and a chance to connect with her passion for music.
You should have seen him go, go, go
Sugar Plum Fairy was electrified by the music and the performers, and danced with a wild energy, completely consumed by the moment.
Jackie is just speedin' away
Jackie is moving quickly through life, always in a hurry to get somewhere—but not necessarily with a specific destination in mind.
Thought she was James Dean for a day
Jackie has a rebellious spirit and identifies with the legendary actor James Dean, who was known for breaking the rules and refusing to conform.
Then I guess she had to crash
Jackie's fast-paced, reckless lifestyle eventually caught up with her, leading to a serious mishap or a moment of reckoning.
Valium would have helped that bash
In retrospect, Jackie may have been able to avoid her downfall if she had taken a step back and had some time to reflect or medicate to calm her nerves.
And the colored girls say
The chorus of Black women continues to provide backing vocals, adding an extra element of soulfulness and musicality to the track.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind