Miss Joanie Lee
The Velvet Underground Lyrics


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Hey miss Joanie Lee
What's goin', goin' on?
???? to get now
What's goin' on?

Miss Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee
Miss Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee
Miss Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee
Please, please, please, please, please

Walked to the corner,
Is she ever gonna stop?
Goin' to pick up,
Gonna wanna make a drop
And she's gonna move,
She's goin' cruisin' go low
Is she gonna,
Where she gonna go?

Miss Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee
Miss Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee
Miss Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee
Please, please, please, please, please

(instrumental break w/muttering)

Miss Joanie Lee
Miss Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee




I said Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee
Please, please, please, please, please, please

Overall Meaning

The Velvet Underground's song "Miss Joanie Lee" is a mysterious and enigmatic composition that leaves the listener with more questions than answers. It seems to be about a woman named Joanie Lee who is involved in some illicit activity or perhaps drugs. Lou Reed croons, "Hey miss Joanie Lee, what's goin', goin' on? Got something to get now, what's goin' on?" The use of the word "got" implies that something is being obtained or exchanged, and the urgency in the tone suggests that it's not entirely legal.


Later, Reed sings, "Goin' to pick up, gonna wanna make a drop, and she's gonna move, she's goin' cruisin' low." These lyrics seem to imply that Joanie Lee is involved in a drug deal, and is going to "make a drop" and "cruisin' low" suggests that she is attempting to avoid detection. The instrumental break with Reed muttering in the background adds to the mystery of the song, as we're left to wonder what he's saying and what it means.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey miss Joanie Lee
The singer greets Miss Joanie Lee and wants to know what is happening with her.


What's goin', goin' on?
The singer asks Miss Joanie Lee about the events or circumstances occurring in her life.


???? to get now
This line is unclear and the meaning is uncertain.


What's goin' on?
The singer repeats his question, asking Miss Joanie Lee about the current situation in her life.


Miss Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee Please, please, please, please, please
The singer repeatedly urges Miss Joanie Lee to pay attention to him and communicate with him.


Walked to the corner,
The singer describes Miss Joanie Lee walking to the street corner.


Is she ever gonna stop?
The singer wonders if Miss Joanie Lee will ever stop her current behavior or lifestyle.


Goin' to pick up,
The singer describes Miss Joanie Lee's activity of going to a certain location to pick something or someone up.


Gonna wanna make a drop
The singer suggests that Miss Joanie Lee intends to make a delivery or drop off to someone.


And she's gonna move,
The singer states that Miss Joanie Lee will continue moving or travelling.


She's goin' cruisin' go low
The singer implies that Miss Joanie Lee is engaged in drug use or other illicit activities.


Is she gonna, Where she gonna go?
The singer wonders where Miss Joanie Lee will go, as she continues walking and engaging in questionable activities.


(instrumental break w/muttering)
This line indicates an instrumental break in the song.


Miss Joanie Lee Miss Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee I said Joanie, Joanie, Joanie, Joanie Lee Please, please, please, please, please, please
The singer repeats his plea for Miss Joanie Lee's attention and desires communication with her.




Contributed by Jack H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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