I'm Waiting for the Man

Nico, The Velvet Underground

About I'm Waiting for the Man

"I'm Waiting for the Man" (sometimes titled "I'm Waiting for My Man") is a song by the American rock band the Velvet Underground, written by Lou Reed. It was first released on their 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico. The song is about waiting on a streetcorner in Harlem, near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and 125th Street, in New York City and purchasing $26 worth of heroin (equivalent to $211 in 2019), sung from the point of view of the purchaser, who has presumably traveled to Harlem from another part of the city; the "man" in the title is a drug dealer. Along with traditional guitars, bass, and drums, the song also features pounding, percussive rock-and-roll barrelhouse-style piano. It is one of the band's more popular songs, and one of their many compositions featuring drugs as subject matter. After leaving the band in 1970, Lou Reed continued to incorporate it into his solo live performances. It was released as a single in October 1971 (with "There She Goes Again" on the B-side) credited to "Andy Warhol's Velvet Underground" on MGM Records. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it #159 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song would go on to influence David Bowie in the writing of his 1977 song "'Heroes'". more »

Year:: 1990
: 3:19
: 76 Views

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Nico

Nico (born Christa Päffgen; 16 October 1938 – 18 July 1988) was a German singer, lyricist, composer, musician, fashion model, and actress, who initially rose to fame as a Warhol Superstar in the 1960s. She is known for both her vocal collaboration on The Velvet Underground's debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967), and her work as a solo artist from the late 1960s through the early 1980s. She also had roles in several films, including a cameo in Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita (1960) and Andy Warhol's Chelsea Girls (1966), as herself. Nico died in July 1988, as a result of injuries sustained in a cycling accident while vacationing in Ibiza with her son. more »

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Genre »

Rock

Style »

Art Rock, Avantgarde, Pop Rock, Psychedelic Rock

10 facts about this song

Original Artists "I'm Waiting for the Man" is originally a song by The Velvet Underground from their 1967 debut album, "The Velvet Underground & Nico."
Lou Reed's Role The song was written by Lou Reed, who was the principal songwriter and lead vocalist of The Velvet Underground.
Nico's Involvement Nico, a German singer and model, was a collaborator on the debut album, but she did not perform on the track "I’m Waiting for the Man."
Challenging Subject The song's lyrics reference a man going to buy heroin from a dealer, making its content quite controversial during the time of its release.
Inspiration Lou Reed said in interviews that he drew inspiration for the song from his own experiences and observations in New York City's drug culture.
David Bowie's Cover David Bowie covered "I'm Waiting for the Man" numerous times throughout his career, including a version on his 1973 album "Pin Ups."
Influence The influence of "I’m Waiting for the Man" is significant. It has been hailed as one of the greatest songs of all time and has been widely covered by artists from various genres.
Musically Simple Despite its heavy subject, the song is simply structured, with two chords, played on a repeating riff.
Live Performances The Velvet Underground often performed "I’m Waiting for the Man" in concert, and it was one of their most popular songs live.
Album Infamy "The Velvet Underground & Nico" continues to be regarded as one of the most influential rock albums of all time, despite initial poor sales and widespread indifference or hostility from contemporary critics.

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"I'm Waiting for the Man Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 31 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2033486/Nico/I%27m+Waiting+for+the+Man>.

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