Heroin

A seven-minute song about heroin that speeds up into noise and falls back, with no bass guitar.
The Velvet Underground, from The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

Written by

Lou Reed

Released

1967

Album

The Velvet Underground & Nico

On stage

• 1990, Jouy-en-Josas, France Reed, Cale, Morrison and Tucker played it together as an encore.

Covers and versions

• Billy Idol (1993) On the album Cyberpunk, as a fast dance track with techno beats.
• Lou Reed (1974) A glam-rock arrangement with Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner on Rock ’n’ Roll Animal.
• Pere Ubu (2000) With Peter Laughner on vocals, issued on The Shape of Things.

More songs by The Velvet Underground

I’m Waiting for the Man, Venus in Furs, Sister Ray, Sunday Morning, Pale Blue Eyes