The Velvet Underground’s second studio album was White Light/White Heat. Music lovers and critics of the late sixties were not ready for such decisive musical experiments and provocative lyrics. The record flashed on the Billboard Hot 200, limiting itself to the penultimate place, and the title track, released as a single, did not hit the charts at all.
The work of the American rock band was appreciated by the next generation. Rolling Stone magazine included White Light/White Heat in the list of the five hundred greatest albums of all time, and the eponymous composition is adored by fans of The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed (Lou Reed) and David Bowie (David Bowie).
Story and Meaning of White Light/White Heat
Lou Reed wrote the lyrics and music. He is said to have composed the song while inspired by A Treatise on White Magic by Alice Baily. A Theosophical book that Lou spoke of with admiration tells how to be filled with “pure white light.”
Speaking about what the song White Light/White Heat is about, Lou Reed acknowledged its connection with drugs. In an interview with the Metropolitan Review, he bluntly stated that the track is about amphetamines. And here is how the singer explained the meaning of the composition to a Mojo reporter:
The lyrics of the song are not pessimistic. White Light/White Heat – This has to do with methamphetamines. Sister Ray is all about it. But they tell you stories and convey feelings. They are not stupid. And the rhythm is interesting.
Mojo, 2013
Recording and release
The Velvet Underground recorded White Light/White Heat in September 1967 at Scepter Studios in Manhattan.
In November of the same year, White Light/White Heat was released as a single with Here She Comes Now on the back. She didn’t make it to the charts. The Velvet Underground played it at all concerts.
Lou Reed also performed the song during his solo career. A live version of the song was featured on his albums Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal and Greatest Hits.
Since the early seventies, the song has entered the repertoire of David Bowie (David Bowie). He recorded the track in 1973, but only released it as a single ten years later to promote the Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture album. His cover only reached number 46 on the UK charts.
Interesting Facts
- The soundtrack of the film “The Drunkest County in the World” (Lawless) includes two cover versions of White Light/White Heat. One was performed by Ralph Stanley and the other by The Bootleggers with Mark Lanegan.
- Julian Casablancas sang a live version of Lou Reed’s song for the Vinyl soundtrack.
Lyrics White Light/White Heat – Lou Reed
(white light)
White light goin’, messin’ up my mind
(white light)
And don’t you know it’s gonna make me go blind
(white heat)
White heat, it tickle me down to my toes
(white light)
Have mercy, while I have it, goodness knows
(white light)
White light goin’, messin’ up my brain
(white light)
White light, it’s gonna drive me insane
(white heat)
White heat, it tickle me down to my toes
(white light)
White light, I said now, goodness knows, do it
white light
I surely do love watching that stuff tip itself in
Hmm, hmm, white light
Watch that side, watch that side
Don’t you know it’s gonna be dead in the drive?
white heat
Hey foxy mama
Watchin’ her walk down the street
white light
Come upside your head
Gonna make a dead end on your street
(white light)
White light moved in me through my brain
(white light)
White light goin’, makin’ you go insane
(white heat)
Aww, white heat, it tickle me down to my toes
(white light)
Aww, white light, I said now, goodness knows
(white light)
Aww, white light, it lighten up my eyes
(white light)
Don’t you know it fills me up with surprise?
(white heat)
Aww, white heat, tickle me down to my toes
(white light)
Aww, white light, I tell you now
Goodness knows, now work it
white light
She surely do move me
white light
Watch that speed freak, watch that speed freak
Everybody gonna go and make it every week
white heat
Sputter, mutter, everybody gonna go and kill their mother
white light
Here she comes, here she comes
Everybody get ‘n gonna make me run to her
White Light/White Heat Lyrics – Lou Reed Alternate
(White light)
White light pours, confusing my thoughts
(White light)
You don’t understand that he will blind me
(White light)
White light, it tickles me from head to toe
(White light)
Have mercy, who knows how long it will last
(White light)
White light is pouring, confusing my thoughts
(White light)
White light, it drives me crazy
(White light)
White light, it tickles me from head to toe
(White light)
White light, God knows, I said do it
White light
Of course I love to watch this shit get inside
White light
Look there, look there
Don’t you know this trip won’t end well?
White light
Hey, babe,
There she is walking down the street
White light
Rises to your head
It leads to a dead end in your street
(White light)
White light controls my mind
(White light)
White light is pouring in, driving you crazy
(White light)
White light, it tickles me from head to toe
(White light)
White light, God sees, I told you
(White light)
White light, it brightens my eyes
(White light)
Don’t you know it fills me with wonder?
(White light)
White light tickles me from head to toe
(White light)
White light, I tell you
God knows do it
White light
Of course she worries me
White light,
Look at that junkie, look at that junkie
All of them are ready to do it every week
White light
They all mutter and grumble that they are ready to kill their mother.
White light
Here she comes, here she comes
Everyone wants to make me run to her
Song quote
Nobody listened to him. However, here it is – a clearly expressed quintessence of punk.
Lou Reed on White Light/White Heat
Mojo, 2013
