The Velvet Underground: Heroin

Here's the original version of 'Heroin' sung by Lou Reed. Contrast this with 'I'll be your Mirror,' an intensely personal romantic song.

'Heroin, be the death of me,' he croons.
'Heroin: it's my life and it's my wife.'

This song, however disturbing, is utterly brilliant. The music sustains its underlying hypnotic quality as it moves from soft seduction to chaotic excitement. Lou Reed is the Verlaine of the 20th century.

'...And thank your god that I'm not aware,
And thank god that I just don't care,
And I guess that I just don't know,
And I guess that I just don't know.'