Transformer (album)
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| Transformer | |||||
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| Studio album by Lou Reed | |||||
| Released | 8 December 1972 | ||||
| Recorded | August 1972 | ||||
| Genre | Glam rock | ||||
| Length | 36:40 | ||||
| Label | RCA Records | ||||
| Producer | David Bowie, Mick Ronson | ||||
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| Lou Reed chronology | |||||
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Transformer is Lou Reed's breakthrough second solo album, released in December 1972.[1] Unlike its predecessor Lou Reed, eight songs of which were leftovers from his Velvet Underground days, this album contains mainly new material. However, there are still a few songs that date from his VU days--Velvet Underground-recorded versions of "Andy's Chest" and "Satellite of Love" surfaced in 1985 and 1995, respectively; and "New York Telephone Conversation" and "I'm So Free" are known to have been played during the Velvets' run at Max's Kansas City in the summer of 1970.
Transformer was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, who had been strongly influenced by Reed's work with the Velvet Underground. The album features some of Reed's best-known songs such as "Walk on the Wild Side", "Perfect Day" and "Satellite of Love", and made him an international star in his own right.
"Andy's Chest" had been recorded in 1969 for The Velvet Underground's "lost fourth album" (see VU and Another View) and "Satellite of Love" had been demoed for the band's 1970 album Loaded, but neither had been used. For Transformer, the poppy up-tempo feel of these songs was slowed down to turn them into ballads. Although all songs on the album were credited to Reed, it has long been rumoured that "Wagon Wheel" is actually a David Bowie composition.[2] Although there are no known performances of "Vicious" by the Velvet Underground, the song apparently dates from Reed's time in the band and its association with Andy Warhol. According to Reed, Warhol told Reed he should write a song about someone vicious. Reed inquired what he meant by that, and Warhol replied, "Oh, you know, vicious like I hit you with a flower."[3]
The first single from the album, "Walk on the Wild Side", became an international success, despite its adult subject matter (it was edited in some countries and banned in others) and it is now generally regarded as Reed's signature tune. "Satellite of Love" was issued as the second single in February 1973. In 2002, a 30th anniversary edition of the album was released; in addition to demos of "Hangin' Round" and "Perfect Day", it includes a hidden track featuring an advert for the album.
The cover art was from a Mick Rock photograph.
Transformer is ranked number 55 on NME 's list of "Greatest Albums of All Time." In 2003, the album was ranked number 194 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[4] It is also on Q Magazine's list of "100 Greatest Albums Ever".
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
All songs were written by Lou Reed.
[edit] Side one
- "Vicious" – 2:58
- "Andy's Chest" – 3:20
- "Perfect Day" – 3:46
- "Hangin' 'Round" – 3:35
- "Walk on the Wild Side" – 4:15
[edit] Side two
- "Make Up" – 3:00
- "Satellite of Love" – 3:42
- "Wagon Wheel" – 3:19
- "New York Telephone Conversation" – 1:33
- "I'm So Free" – 3:09
- "Goodnight Ladies" – 4:21 (arranged & performed by Herbie Flowers)
[edit] 2002 re-release bonus tracks
- "Hangin' Round" (acoustic demo) – 3:57
- "Perfect Day" (acoustic demo) – 4:50
[edit] Personnel
- Lou Reed – guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Herbie Flowers – bass; tuba on "Goodnight Ladies" and "Make Up"
- Mick Ronson – lead guitar, piano, recorder, backing vocals
- John Halzey – drums
- Ronnie Ross – baritone saxophone on "Goodnight Ladies"
[edit] Additional personnel
- David Bowie – backing vocals
- The Thunderthighs – backing vocals
- Barry DeSouza – drums
- Ritchie Dharma – drums
- Klaus Voormann – bass
[edit] Charts
[edit] Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Billboard Pop Albums | 29 |
| 1973 | UK Albums Chart | 13 |
[edit] Single
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
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| 1973 | "Walk on the Wild Side" | Billboard Pop Singles | 16 |
| 1973 | "Walk on the Wild Side" | UK Singles Chart | 10 |
[edit] In popular culture
The Ron and Fez show on XM Radio closes every show with "Satellite of Love".
[edit] Notes
- ^ Roy Carr & Charles Shaar Murray (1981). Bowie: An Illustrated Record: p.117
- ^ All Music Guide "Wagon Wheel" review
- ^ [1]
- ^ Rolling Stone 500 Albums review
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