Tag Archives: lou reed

“Perfect Day” (BBC Charity Single) – Lou Reed and Various Other Great Musicians/Singers

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In 1997, a group of famous and talented singers and musicians got together to sing a cover of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” for the BBC. It was such a hit with viewers that it was released a single to promote the charity Children in Need, and went to #1 in Great Britain for three weeks, raising over 2 million pounds for the charity. Among the amazing artists here: Lou Reed, Bono, Suzanne Vega, Elton John, Burning Spear, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette, Shane McGowan, Dr. John, Robert Cray, Evan Dando, Tom Jones, Laurie Anderson, Joan Armatrading, and many many others. A wonderful cover.

“Innocent Man” – The Jam

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Here’s a terrific B-side from The Jam that really should have been an A-side or at least included as a track on one of their original albums. One of my favorite songs by the group. This sounds like a lot Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” if it had been recorded by the Who circa 1967.  Available on the Jam box set “Direction Creation Reaction” or as a bonus track the UMD Deluxe Edition of “All Mod Cons.”

“Work” – Lou Reed & John Cale

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From Reed and Cale’s song cycle about Andy Warhol (“Songs for Drella”). A really funny and moving song about Warhol’s work ethic. Favorite lyrics: “Andy said a lot of things … I stored them all away in my head … Sometimes when I can’t decide what I should do,
I think what would Andy have said … He’d probably say ‘You think too much … That’s ’cause there’s work that you don’t want to do.'”

“Candy Says” – Lou Reed and Antony

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A wonderful and lovely cover of the Velvet Underground’s song about Warhol superstar Candy Darling. From the Julian Schnabel-directed film “Lou Reed’s Berlin,” in my opinion, the DEFINITIVE version of this song. Dedicated to the Westboro Baptist Church, who have made two appearances in my area (one near my house, the other near my workplace) in the past few months.