Lou Reed

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Well, I wish I was born
A thousand years ago
And I wish that I sailed
The darkened sea

On a great big clipper ship
Goin' from this land into that
In a sailors suit and cap
Away from the big city
Away from the big city

[Verse 2]
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
And I'm closin' in on death
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know

[Chorus]
Ah - Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine
[Verse 3]
I don't know just where I'm goin', ah
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can, yeah
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
And I tell you things aren't quite the same
It's a mainline to my pain

[Chorus]
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Jesus died for somebody's sins
(I can feel it)
But not mine (heroin)
I said, Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)

Ow, ow, ow, ow, yeah
Ow, ow, ow, ow
(I can feel it)
(I can feel it)

[Verse 4]
I have made a very big decision
I gonna try to nullify my life, you know
I get so low and then the smack flows
I don't care I'm gonna make it my wife
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
And shoots up the dropper's neck
And I'm closin' in on death
You can all go take a walk
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know

[Chorus]
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Jesus died for somebody's sins (I can feel it)
But not mine (heroin)
I said, Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
I said, Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin) not mine

Heroin, smack attack
(I can feel it)
(I can feel it)

Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
I said, Jesus died for somebody's sins
But not mine (heroin)
Smack attack
[Outro]
Don't touch that needle
V.R. H E R O I N
V.R. H E R O I N
V.R. HELL H E R O I N (forever)
And I'm closin' in on death
H E R O I NEmbed

Heroin by Billy Idol is a cover of the classic Velvet Underground tune that defies convention and bravely asks the question, “what if one of the greatest rock songs ever written was complete and utter garbage?” The song's vision of ‘Heroin’ as an awful piece of trash is so half-baked that it loops around into being incredibly impressive. Widely known as a classic rock song, Billy Idol manages to tarnish the song and adds an insult to injury by including parts borrowed from Patti Smith’s version of Gloria, which only bolsters the song’s status as an absolute failure.

About Heroin

Billy Idol’s cover of the song Heroin is, without question, one of the most controversial cover songs of all time. The cover is widely debated by music critics and fans because it sounds nothing like the original version. Right from the start, Billy Idol strips the song of its original beauty and introduces his own unique sound. Instead of the soft and mellow tunes that are found in Lou Reed's original tune, Billy Idol gives Heroin a hard rock sound that is his signature style. In doing so, he incorporates sharp guitar riffs and high-pitch screams that give the song a rebellious, punk rock feel.

Billy Idol’s Heroin is truly a rebellious song, with the lyrics expressing an open defiance to the status quo and societal norms. It is not difficult to see why this song continues to appeal to young and old audiences alike, with its strong and powerful message, one of breaking free from the chains of life. In fact, Billy Idol's improvisations and additional verses, such as the one that begins with "it hurts to be alive," makes the song even more appealing to the disenchanted and disillusioned.

The song also features a bold performance that is both rugged and intense. Billy Idol's voice pierces through the song, with the intensity and rawness echoing the angry sentiments of the song perfectly. The bold performance also highlights his signature sound that compliments the entire song.

Another interesting aspect of Billy Idol's Heroin is how he subtly borrows bits from Patti Smith's Gloria to keep the audience entertained. The use of the bass riff from Smith’s Gloria and the repetition of the line "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine" enhances the overall quality of the cover.

In addition to all of the above, the cover's production quality is excellent. The sound is crisp and clear, allowing every note and riff to be heard effortlessly. This arrangement gives the song a sleek and modern edge that Lou Reed's original version doesn't possess.

Billy Idol's cover of Heroin is an example of a cover song done right. The intensity of the performance and the organic rebelliousness that comes with it is powerful and rich, making it an influential song in both the Punk and Rock genre. Even those who aren’t fans of this type of music can appreciate the song's rawness and emotion, making it a classic piece of music that is worth a listen for all music lovers everywhere.

In summarizing, Heroin by Billy Idol is a powerful and intense rock cover that defies convention. Billy Idol's rebellious style and sound were stamped all over the song, adding his unique interpretation to an already beloved song. From the powerful vocals to the guitar riffs, Billy Idol gives the song a modern touch and elevates it to a class of its own. Therefore, it's safe to say that Billy Idol's version of Heroin is a classic hit that will continue to inspire and enthral music fans everywhere for years to come.

• Release Date: June 29, 1993
• Artist: Lou Reed