What Goes On
LIVING ROOM - The Velvet Underground Lyrics

What goes on in your mind?
I think that I am falling down
What goes on in your mind?
I think that I am upside down
Baby, be good, do what you should
You know it will work alright
Baby, be good, do what you should
You know it will be alright

I'm going up, and I'm going down

I'm going to fly from side to side
See the bells up in the sky
Somebody's cut their string in two
Baby, be good, do what you should
You know it will work alright
Baby, be good, do what you should
You know it will be alright

One minute born, one minute doomed
One minute up and one minute down
What goes on in your mind?
I think that I am falling down
Baby, be good, do what you should
You know it will work alright
Baby, be good, do what you should
You know it will be alright

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Written by: Lou Reed

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@davidsheehan8552

4y↑77

That groove. The bridge. The guitar outro. Song is just perfect.

@The1234craig

2y↑2

except the live version on the 1969 album is longer and more perfect.

@grahamchapple3552

i call this elevator music play iin shoppping centres loud at easter and xmas

@davidcolpo5212

20w↑1

it is the perfect song

@daleholmes4288

I've never heard music this good playing in my local shopping centre :)

@spongebob2310

9y↑385

The best rhythm guitar sound ever...

@thundergroundsamurai5343

7y↑10

Ain't no guitar dude. That a voodoo drum.

@Obeast117

5y↑35

@@huggarugga Crazy how Morrison and Reed could exchange lead/rhyhthm so easily and make it sound so fluid

@michaelsoftbinbows8859

4y↑18

@@huggarugga That's Sterling Morrison on rhythm guitar

@wiggersnake3661

4y↑17

from this rhythm guitar, we can pretty much tell what U2's The Edge was listening to as an aspiring musician.

@solarpower7581

3y↑20

Sterling was genius

22 More Replies...

@SamuelEMPowell131

1y↑26

Honestly there is nothing better than Lou Reed, I got really into his music when I was a teenager, my music producer friend lent me his best of Lou reed and the velvet underground Cd, it became the soundtrack to many of high school parties, nights and all sorts of other things teenagers get up to, thank you Lou for being there with us, I wanna throw my friend some love while I'm here, try searching Lonely Gimmick - All Along the Watchtower, it's a great take on a classic standard and he's recorded it all himself on his laptop, i think he's got some serious talent and deserves more recognition

@Dzanarika1

1y↑2

Omg, you are literally everywhere, like a gramlin!

@Ricklynchcorecom

2y↑32

The Rhythm guitar is incredible. Sterling was fantastic.

@BenCulture

10y↑100

This song is so strangely magical. It's very simple, yet never boring. I could listen to a 30-minute version of this song! Great job with the pics and video clips! A lot of them, I never saw before.

@versioncity1

5y↑7

there probably is a 30 minute version out there somewhere.

@waynecrawford9531

2y↑6

300 hour version wouldn't be enough

@SaddamYusfal

1y↑4

@@waynecrawford9531 the version of this song from the 1969 live album will scroll your nurd!

@PeleSahota

1y↑1

It feels a lot like Rock n Roll.

@grahamchapple3552

48w

i am sick of 3 mins here and skip ads i like this just goes on then i do repeat

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@pablozewoppa

3y↑60

I love The Velvet Underground with all of my heart

@llaurita2

5y↑83

I want that riff playing in my head 24-7

@nouveaumonde6479

4y↑2

Want this at my Funeral 🙏

@waynecrawford9531

And it does

@olimauricestromberg93

Drip feed that gold dust

@cornholio812

It's the little train that could!

@Guy4755

11y↑57

Lou has passed, but his magnificent music shall live on forever. This song has always made my heart sing.

@LessAiredvanU

24w↑4

This was the song that the VU often ended their (few) concerts with - Lou, Sterling, and Moe, out of their heads on speed, just repeating the rift (with John improvising) for 10, 15, or 20 minutes. Legend has it that they once played it for almost half an hour and when Lou at last approached the microphone... the venue owner cut the power to end the gig. I hope it is true!

@twofiveb

5y↑47

This song and Rock n Roll both say “it’ll be alright...”
I listen to them both often.

@dizzyvizion5069

4y↑7

Not a massive fan of the band, but those 2 songs are possibly my 2 favourite songs by anyone. Makes no sense.

@defoperator7993

3y↑2

Rock is medicine for the soul

@comedownmachine4682

3y↑2

@@dizzyvizion5069 how are you not a fan of this band

@jofall91

10w

@@comedownmachine4682he will be eventually lol. Or at least I was. When I first heard The Velvets debut, I was so massively underwhelmed and didn’t revisit them for years. Years later, listened through their discog and everything just kinda clicked. Love them now…

@dannyguzman7052

6y↑77

That guitar that organ 😍😍😍

@ralucagymnast

9y↑91

Not enough superlatives to describe this. Ive been listening to the Velvets for over 40 years; my father was a big fan, and had all their albums, so ive grown up with this stuff. In fact my all time favourite song is the Live in 1969 version of this song. Nothing eclipses it, before or since. The word "awesome" gets bandied about too much these days, but its wholly appropriate to describe this. Just incredible in every way. Played with such consummate ease and produces consummate perfection. ♥

@alwynshaw6197

9y↑3

nice you tube comment. Do youfeel better?

@alwynshaw6197

9y↑2

Chris Morey I like them too they are the best band ever x

@number7gracestreet

7y↑4

Yeah this is a vitamin for me. I agree the '1969 Live' version is my fav too. My parents were pretty hip although not this hip... my mate, he says he was at a Velvets gig in-utero with his parents :-)

@foldingspace7397

4y↑2

Thanks for the heads-up on the '69 live version...haven't stopped smiling

@pietop55

4y↑1

I'm glad you got to grow up with this music!

3 More Replies...

@II-xl7lj

4y↑17

One of the best solos of all time, without a doubt

@antondebiage5889

10y↑26

one of the best velvets tracks!! possibly my top 10 of all time songs ever!!!

@BenCulture

10y↑2

Yes -- one of the best songs by anybody, ever.
The Beatles had a tune called "What Goes On" (which Ringo Starr sang), and it's . . . fucking NOTHING compared to this! THIS is magic.

@kwd-kwd

10y↑5

Ben Culture nah, that song is good too. just because they share a title is no reason to slag one over the other.

@brianengel1298

26w

@@kwd-kwdI know,that was the most ridiculous comment from anyone I read lol

@valhalia100

11y↑40

RIP Lou Reed ; Probally waiting for the man

@toddc2394

4y↑2

Hopefully the man already came 🤒😎

@ethanhill9460

Looking for Warhol and Delmore.

@martenbos7007

I hope with some good stuff.

@jameshafner1442

Andy, Nico, and Sterling were probably glad to see him too.

@Farmlandsfallfan

12y↑26

One of the most amazingly awesome classic songs ever, a veritable masterpiece

@troutmask6800

2y↑14

East Coast Psychedelic. I’ve loved this song for nearly 50 years and never get tired of it. There was never a real East Coast psychedelic music scene but this come as close to one as any attempted. Reed learned from Cale about creating drones in music from Terry Riley and other 60’s minimalists. Spent many an hour in my early 20’s stoned listening to this.

@RobertCarusoOfficial

2y↑7

The Velvets didn't have anything to do with Psychedelia (unless you mean 1960s music in general for "psychedelia"), they didn't do acid, they were the opposite of hippies, nobody dreamt of getting them to play Woodstock, they dressed all in black rather than colourful hippie clothes, they had no long psychedelic guitar solos, etc.. etc.. in fact, now they are considered "Proto Punk": a type of music and attitude diametrically opposed to psychedelic California bands like Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, etc... (and perhaps you never read interviews with Reed being savage about that kinda stuff or how confrontational was their first gig at The Fillmore, the home of "psychedelia"). Also, John Cale doesn't play on this track, he had left the band by the time this was recorded and there are no drones on this song.
If you're looking for East Coast psychedelia, check The Blues Magoos (especially their version of Tobacco Road). They were from the Bronx, New York, and their best-known album is Psychedelic Lollipop... https://youtu.be/6jNXRr2aINw

@hasanabir115

@@RobertCarusoOfficial Completely agree with that. Some confuse them with psychedelic rock like the Doors or something but they were quite the antidote to that trend. Members of the band have talked about this several times throughout the years.

@jameslappin77

Why only early 20's?

@troutmask6800

2y↑2

@@jameslappin77 that’s when I got into them (around 1973). Still love it in my late 60’s (I have the original mix before the closet mix and it’s much better, as are a lot of the non closet mixed songs on the third record). Heard Reed wanted his voice higher in the mix.

@stevesmith7067

Sure there were east coast psych scenes. every city had a scene. Philly had mandrake memorial, sweet stavin chain, the american dream, elizabeth, thunder and roses, the nazz. boston had ultimate spinach, beacon street union, savage resurrection etc....

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@keithmockridge3329

4y↑7

It took me a long time to appreciate how great the velvet's were. But the wait was worthwhile. Listen to Lou reed and John cale on the outstanding album SONGS FOR DRELLA

@christy7698

3y↑6

Thank you, VU, because your music changed my life!🥰

@robertvanpelt4039

2y↑6

Song is mind bending experience, especially the lead and rythm guitar work.

@petejones879

2y↑7

My favourite from the velvets.. Even now still mind blowing that guitar riff is mesmerising

@redskies4530

Hi I recommend a song called 'Looking Into The Mirror' By Robert Nix

@michaelnewton5270

9y↑15

lou you make me grateful to have lived in this time

@esotericsolitaire

5y↑33

If I could go back in time to the 60's NYC east side, just for a visit, I'd die a happy and fulfilled soul.

@BlueRosebuds

4y↑2

I think I'd ugly-cry if I got the chance to do that...love them so much!

@defoperator7993

3y↑1

This kinda was a hidden jem in the city though you would ran into allot of poverty and crime

@natelivas3961

3y↑3

Yeah fuck that west coast shit lol

@doitnowvideosyeah5841

3y↑2

1980's LES was pretty amazing too

@keithnaylor1981

4y↑9

No one else made songs so fascinatingly hypnotic. Amazing!

@Sml1keW4ka

2y↑3

Most favorite song from The Velvet Underground.

@gvp999999

10y↑20

I'd love to hear a non-fadeout version of this. My favourite piece of rhythm guitar playing ever!

@The1234craig

2y↑2

hopefully you've found it by now. It's on the "1969" live album. That version is on YT. It's amazing, longer and better than this version for sure.

@anorthernsoul100

3y↑10

My god I love this tune,it gets better and better with age,god bless you Lou

@waynecrawford9531

John, Sterling and Maureen too

@adinocc2042

4y↑5

They created and carved out the place where alternative/punk/etc lives now!
Enjoy!

@robertsmith4519

One of the greatest albums ever

@martmako1

5y↑4

even 30mins of that glorious rhythm guitar & Hammond wouldn't be enough, just flawless , many thanks

@RobertCarusoOfficial

26w↑1

It's not a Hammond organ, it's a Vox Continental organ, first portable electric organ, invented 1962. In this "video"'s thumbnail Lou Reed is leaning on it. Vox sponsored The Velvets in 1966; the thumbnail shows The Velvets with their Vox equipment (Vox Phantom bass for Cale, Vox Phantom guitar for Morrison, Vox Super-Beatle amp [first 100-watt amplifier] and the Vox Continental organ mentioned above. It was integral to the sound of The Doors and The Animals, you can see it in videos like The Monkees' I'm A Believer, Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, etc.. Brian Jones, Bob Dylan and many US '60s Garage bands used it (The Standells, The Remains, The Blues Magoos, etc..). First used in 1962 or '63 by The Kingsmen on Louie Louie and became a must have for bands when people saw John Lennon playing it live in The Beatles' World Tours in 1965 and '66. In Live At Shea Stadium Lennon plays it on I'm Down, the last song... Later Elvis Costello & The Attractions used it, The Damned on Machine Gun Etiquette and Billy Idol in the video for To Be A Lover - apart from myself... as in this song, Indian Summer... 😉 https://youtu.be/8aOV4oqZyU0?si=9eZ05TFR6YLlM_Ux

@27dcrow

11y↑7

lou reed, you are one f'ing incredible guitarist. to me, this is what the sixties sounds like. (I wasn't really there). i finally saw Lou in concert in SF a couple years ago. he had his tai chi master on stage with him, which was ridiculous, but his playing was amazing.

@elizabethsteele5291

😂 Thanks for that story.

@TheKeefed

26w↑2

And again. I'm lost in Moe's drumming. Incredible. Steady as she goes.

@ashleymonday298

4y↑50

Even today nobody can recreate those stinging guitars just the way the Velvets did it. The Modern Lovers got pretty close, but not even Lou ever got that guitar sound again after he left the band.

@lotharroberts5978

3y↑6

That was due in partial to the Fender amps, Lou's Gretsch, and the Teisco Del Ray guitar Sterling was playing.

@ollie9754

3y↑3

@@lotharroberts5978 Likely had something to do with John Cale's influence too, considering The Modern Lovers was also produced by him.

@Johnconno

3y↑3

Amazing what can be achieved with Malanga and a whip.

@Mattbasterton1001

2y↑2

@@lotharroberts5978 not on what goes , that'd be an es335 & es345 & big sunn amps.

@Mattbasterton1001

2y↑1

@@Johnconno Gerards whip was a fashion acoutrement & had no influence on the music.

2 More Replies...

@sofijavukic9126

3y↑2

and all of a sudden, she found out velvet underground was her favorite band.

@hughdismuke4703

15w

I love rock and roll and been listening to the Velvet for a long time. I believe this is the greatest gathering music has ever assembled, because it came together, made its sound and then one day split. It did what it was meant to do for a moment in this time-line and nothing more. No big controversy, no big grand stand of egos vying for attention. It was thee perfect moment in music.

@becksy539

3y↑9

the first trance song ever made

@corsaro8363

4y↑5

R.I.P Great Lou Reed

@markheidema3699

3y↑2

Gotta love the Hamond in the background.

@RobertCarusoOfficial

3y↑3

It's not a Hammond organ, it's a Vox Continental, first portable electric organ, invented 1962. The first hit on which it was used was The Kingsmen's Louie Louie (followed by The Beatles' I'm Down [played by Lennon; one can see it in Live At Shea Stadium, 1965], it was basic to the sound of The Doors and The Animals and was later used on hits like The Monkees' I'm A Believer, Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, etc.. and by The Stones, Dylan, etc.. and also by US '60s Garage bands [The Standells, The Remains, The Blues Magoos, etc..] and later by Elvis Costello & The Attractions, The Damned, etc..).
The Velvets first used it on Sister Ray (1967), played by John Cale. When I first heard this song, aged 13 in the '70s, I thought it was this song's highlight more than Reed's guitar solo (which sounds like it does because it's double-tracked, i.e.: 2 solos mixed as one). The Velvets played What Goes On live with Cale on organ, but there are no extant recordings of it, as far as I know. I mentioned it in this "video"'s description-box (which nobody ever reads... 😂)

@seiyakan1380

2y↑3

Timeless classic!

@BenCulture

10y↑17

Val Valentin mix so much better than Lou Reed's ego-tripping "closet mix" . . . "What Goes On" is like sinking into a comfortable chair . . . that you've had all your life. Thank you ever so kindly for posting this

@christy7698

3y↑2

Best "fan made" video I have ever seen! Good job!

@raidsado8718

10y↑10

I will listen to this tune forever!

@BenCulture

10y↑2

Hell yes, so will I!

@davidparsons7284

8y↑2

never gets old for me either

@mrsir8685

7y↑5

my favourite velvet song its got it all

@mgmegt5920

2y↑2

I was around 15 me and my friend were heading to this record store that was having a closing sale. At the time she got me into all this hippie music I regret to say was a phase. In the store window this album was looking right at me. I had no idea what songs were even on it but I was pulled to purchase it. That decision changed my life entirely. The world of punk and underground music opened my eyes. 10 years later this album still feels like home. So nostalgic for the teen angst I felt back then.

@RobertCarusoOfficial

2y↑1

Yeah, it was the same for me. I got this in Brighton (UK) in '78, I was 13 or 14, I think. All the 4 original studio albums by The Velvets (and the "Lost Album" released on VU and Another View in the mid-'80s) definitely touched a lot of lives and inspired lots of musicians who came later (like me, lol!)... Thanks for your comment 🙂

@Mytyay_ShostaIV

3y↑3

I was searching this song for years. First time I heard it 5 years ago. Now I found it

@Yourismouter

11y↑4

perfect song about bipolar disorder as a sufferer this song helped me through the worst times of it, rest in peace lou reed! thanks for everything!

@johnb6080

It is well done & i am quite a fan of the group. Andy?... Well who knows right?

@bluebirdreviews

10y↑10

This is really well done and reflects the magic and intensity of Lou Reed and VU. Love your educational commentary. Thank You!

@bluebirdreviews

10y

Thank You for your kind words!

@christy7698

3y↑3

My favorite VU song, by far!!

@darylcumming7119

10w

Thanks for the upload.❤

@DH-3on_sAm

4y↑3

thank you for this. I needed to hear this today.

@christopherschipper3132

5y↑3

I can't love this song enough.

@user-qm9gh4zg1d

5y↑2

I Love Velvet Underground !!!!!!! Forever !!!!!!!

@sebastiancaterva5760

5y↑9

Dios tenga en la gloria al gran Lou Reed.

@yolandajohnson8685

3y↑1

Lou Reed was soooo very naturally smooth and cool. He didnt have to try to be cool, it came naturally.

@ralphallen7656

3y↑1

great tune.from 2.43 on is organ and rhythm guitar magic. listen to it over and over.

@markandresen1

3y↑1

Could've listened to that for hours...

@jacklyndonovan4701

3y↑1

This was way before people knew what real good music was, 😍

@Texeq

11y↑4

Rock music you can dance to - as it fills your head.

@LeafInTheStream

My oldest brother's favourite song. Rest in peace, Bob.

@pietop55

4y↑2

Loved it for a long time!

@thetriumphofthethrill2457

Great song and compelling video. Priceless images and footage.

@kelime

11y↑4

R.I.P. Lou.

@vicente8705

3y↑1

Love this version

@samalbaugh9321

Indeed and what Spirit and Energy 👍❤️👍

@dgbradman1

8y↑1

well written song, with an intuitive guitar solo

@marcosantucci7616

3y↑1

Magic sound ...

@mypousto215

6y↑1

Amazing photos and footage. I want to see more.

@RobertCarusoOfficial

6y↑3

Thank you. I don't know if you've seen this... in case you haven't, feel free to have a look... : ) https://youtu.be/p6k6ZnSzfCw

@ATCguy1973

Best outro ever! Wish it was longer! Like days longer 😁👍

@tinchocabj1053

1y↑1

I truly believe that the Velvet Underground was the most important band in the music history.the top influence for every musician/band around the world,T V U is so important that even the new bands copy them influenced by other bands that are Velvet s clones in the first place.record sales have no relation with music talent a lot of products created in mayor labels offices it the most expensives towers sold better than the Velvet s but finally always the V U probe what great they are.just listen the music pure talent from the first album to the last of the 4 that came in the velvet original era 65-70.

@tonecot8932

2y↑1

I originally heard this song as a teen when the punk band The Dils did a 7 minute cover version of in one of my punk comp CDs (What? Stuff). It was great, but I found out many years later it was an original VU song. I definitely like the VU version, but the Dils cover is also great.

@matteoponticelli4056

Fantastic sound fantastic years

@jbsamakis

12y↑2

It's all gonna be "alright" according to Lou. And you know what...he's absolutely right!

@ivolix1967

3y↑1

masterpiece

@Retroscoop

1y↑1

Now I even more appreciate the cover Bryan Ferry made of this song. He lifted it from just another song to something exciting, vibrant and stylish.

@jimhinkley8983

3y↑4

Second best rhythm guitar of all time. Behind? The live version on 1969, which is better because it's (a) longer (b) the jammy feel and interplay between Lou and Sterling is explored more. I do love the studio version for the jangly edge to the guitar which does remind me of the Mary Chain sound a bit too (it feels "sparkly" to my brain if that makes sense...)

@drl241

11y↑3

crazy....that's.....that's just crazy

@mrkanangra

God I had this record back in the early 80's when I was a teenager - thought it was the best record!

@elb3648

51w

I miss Stella Longo , even I knew her for a little time . LOVE YA

@calewolf3430

9y↑3

Wonderful stuff.

@keithnaylor1981

4y↑6

INCREDIBLE!
Great to have LIVED through the days of the BEST EVER music - The Stones, The Beatles, The Who, The Velvet Underground, and some others.
Feel sorry for all today's fans growing up and listening to shite.

@hippojuice23

Brian Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Hendrix, the Kinks, Bowie, lesee....

@keithnaylor1981

hippojuice23 - yep, amazing times.

@ameg6432

3y↑1

as a teenager, I think it's safe to say it's not all "shite". I'm just grateful I can listen to whatever I want, and whenever I want to. maybe I'm listening to glam of the 70s, 60s alternative, industrial 90s, rock n roll of the 50s... all within the span of an hour. it's all available to us to consume, dabble in and do what we like artistically. plus, we get to experience the joy of the art produced without the same level of prejudice. seems pretty decent to me from the perspective you're looking from

@jstein787

11y↑2

R. I. P. Lou

@pmccaffrey100

7y↑4

Great song. The live 69 version is great too. Shoulda been a hit!

@garrysmith8578

49w

Genius

@dianelohrke404

7y↑11

We got kicked out of magic mountain for drug use and had nothing to do but drive to Hollywood and go to amoeba music . I bought this album used for a few bucks because someone had said they were interesting about five years previous and that's all I knew. nothing else.
This album impacted my life.

@kenkovar2647

baby be good do what you should and it'll be alright!

@shakeyourguitartutorials

5y↑6

"Let it be good ....!"Supercool.

@lifesoboring1

8y↑1

Great visuals.

@twiggirl37

10y↑1

great visuals

@PennyTraition

12y↑2

I love this! Also, 'Beginning To See The Light'...I'd so much like to see what you could do with the 'White Light/White Heat' album, maybe 'Lady Godiva's Operation' and 'I Heard Her Call My Name'...Thanks for these vids, the Stooges and the Velvets! Heaven. X.

@davestone4468

Great album kick off song no doubt. Love this classic

@rorybone100

4y↑1

Still fresh in 2020

@scottjones9606

3y↑2

Rock and Roll

@mikemosscounsellingsupervi2349

Lucky enough to see the Velvets reunion tour.. Edinburgh Playhouse. just a taste..wonderful.

@Joey69G

12y↑2

Just too good!!! :)

@derekmontgomery6126

47w

What a tune

@lespetitsbonbons-combinatm6441

Recording award ,, that's pur punk ,, I love it

@versioncity1

5y↑1

Imagine being that baby in the footage from the factory. Showing your kids/grandkids..... That was me... hanging out with the velvets.....

@RedWh1teWizard

4y↑1

Tune!!!

@albertobosis1524

Wonderful!

@kristens3793

sounds great!

@PMCBHOY

Classic should be longer

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