Lou Reed – Walk on the Wild Side

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  General Comment:It's a fun song. About transvestites, perhaps? I love our society; it believes the young and beautiful and boisterous are the wild ones. Any studier of psychology knows that the wicked ones are the ones who know how to "behave" in public and let loose in private. I think the world missed the study a decade or so ago about Republican women being wilder than Democratic ones. Honestly, it was a hoot. The conservative practicing Christians behind closed doors were the ones that let lose. It takes a talented, bright female to know how to play the game...be a lady in public and a freak in the bed, as the saying goes. Bed? How boring:)

  Flag Jeffreystumpon November 30, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:It was about Andy warhol's factory people. But mainly Candy Darling.

  Flag WoahWhoAreYouon February 16, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:I love this song. It doesn't really sound like it's transexuals because they normally get the change and aren't so "wild" idk. so cross dressing? It's so chill man, love it. Take a walk on the wild side ;]

  Flag DJgifon June 17, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:Andy Warhol didn't do heroin, or smoke, he just did speed. So they didn't 'share needles' back in the day, but I'm sure his mates did :)

  Flag mentalon May 23, 2008   Link

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    you can smoke meth, trust me.

    Flag DJgifon June 17, 2009  
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  General Comment:this song about andy warhol factory story.i think it will be different means if dont know the story.it make a long time to know the story.not just read it and watch it.you must imagine when the momment of andy`s factory.i think the story its very interest.because its something momment with underground live.

  Flag meansfightmelodyon January 30, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Listen to the version on "Take no prisoners" where Lou explains how it got written. "Little Joe... Little Joe was an IDIOT" etc etc

  Flag vasquezon January 27, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:The characters are as follows:
  
  HOLLY came from Miami, FLA: Holly Woodlawn (Haraldo Santiago Franceschi Rodriguez Danhakl b.1946,Puerto Rico)The endearing transvestite recognized by her overbite and crooked teeth, is most memorable for her seriocomic performance in the film "Trash". For some reason, many mistakenly think she is no longer living, which is far from true at this writing('07)
  
  CANDY came from out on the Island: (James Lawrence Slattery 1944-74Long Island NY) Feminine,pretty, ex-male Candy Darling performed in several Warhol/Morrissey projects.She died of cancer in the mid 70s.
  
  LITTLE JOE never once gave it away:Superhot and 'straight' Joe D'allessandro (1948 Pensacola, Fla) was the star of several full-length cinema projects by Paul Morrissey in Andy Warhol's Factory studio. A butch brooklyn streetkid who turned to gayhustling before his discovery by Warhol/Morrissey who exploited Joes universal sexappeal.He's now an icon of underground cinema and gay subculture.
  
  SUGARPLUM FAIRY came and hit the streets: Joe Campbell's nickname. He appeared in Andy Warhol's Nude Restaurant(1967) and very briefly in two others but is not seen in later projects.
  
  JACKIE is just speeding away: Multi-talented Jackie Curtis (John Holder Jr.1947-85 NYNY)performed both in and out of drag in films and onstage as well as being a prolific writer.He died of accidental H overdose.
  
  These characters along with many others made up the unique group of subculture speedfreaks, wannabees, and genderbenders known as Andy Warhol's Superstars. They contributed their various talents to multiple Warhol-related projects during the late-60's thru early 70's pop art/trash/underground cinema, art and social scene. You can enter thier names on youtube to find lots of videos of these people, but if you are really interested,seek and watch the films of Paul Morrissey under the heading "andy warhol's" or "AW presents" Candy, Holly, and Jackie are Hilarious in the trash classic - Women in Revolt.
  Mike

  Flag InYourMindon November 11, 2007   Link

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    WOW, what a fantastic comment!

    Flag shockdelicaon April 20, 2009  

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    a real great summary of Warhols' Superstars.

    Flag yindon November 01, 2011  
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  General Comment:Thanks, JosephWolf, for a comprehensive and (as far as I know) accurate analysis of this song. And I agree that the song escaped being banned only because back in the 70's most people didn't know what "giving head" meant!

  Flag crazymanmichaelon June 28, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:This song is awesome and its just nice and simple. I love Lou's voice and how he is kinda singing and just kinda telling some stories.

  Flag hsnodgraon April 17, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:Lou Reed was one of the regulars at The Factory and his music contributed to the atmosphere that Andy Warhol liked and needed to create his art. Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, Joe Dallesandro (the most frequent actor in Warhols short films), Joe Campbell (Sugar Plum Fairy) and Jackie Curtis. Candy Darling was also the subject of Lou Reed's song 'Candy Says'.
  Lou Reed and Andy Warhol had a fallout between the band The Velvet Underground when they both wanted to take the band in different direction.
  Lou Reed later recorded the album Songs For Drella (Andy Warhols nickname - Dracula and Cinderella) which was an apology to Warhol.

  Flag sterile.starson January 13, 2007   Link

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