..that's because Cale had the original vocal on the VU album, but being him, Lou erased it and replaced him...

100%. Cale's version is a masterpiece.

disagree totally. Cale sings it straight. go back and listen to the VU version. Lou has the most distinct phrasing and breaths and interpretation of the lyrics that are mostly missing here. Taste the whip, now plead for me line that Lou sings sends shivers. Cale's is a good version. But it ain't Lou.

Also Cale did not have a hand in writing this. On the album it is credited solely to Lou. Good version though.

As big a fan of Lou Reed as I am John Cale definitely helped write this song, the droning viola and numerous other elements of the song weren’t Reed’s idea, he may not have writing credits for it on the album but you only have to listen to it to hear Cale’s influence

... and it is a great version anyway. Cale always sounds like something's stuck in his nose - fits perfect here.

@@nicksouza191 Cale was deceived by Reed about the copyright of the songs, they even had legal issues about it. Yes, Reed wrote the songs, but it was Cale's massive contributions towards the sound of The Velvets on TVU&N and WL/WH that were so groundbreaking. The credits on those two albums should have been: lyrics - Lou Reed music - Lou Reed and John Cale! But Reed's selfishness would have none of that.

It would all sound like Yes or that Canadian band.

like a dark and dirty mozart

saw him in a old church in nyc called the limelight, a sacraligious place, and mr cale was astounding, full rock band. 2000ish

@@billytherhinonyc I saw him live in Dallas at a club called Mother Blues. 1979....amazing. I love this version, but this song is so beautiful and haunting I appreciate all versions. Good times, good music back then.

​@@CaligulitaI'd rather compare him to Beethoven than Mozart. Ludwig was far heavier, his music far more profound and darker than anything Amadeus had created. Cale is from the same mold as LvB, wheras WAM is more equivalent to Elton John.

Hahaha, you mean... Cale can actually SING!

Cale is epic, Reed was a flash in the pan. He did pen some great lyrics with the Velvets though.

+Carsick Mick From what I remember fellow welsh maverick lustmord is from a nearby area. not sure what they put in the water round there.

+Jack Edge Yes! He is a bit further North, but still rural Wales. I think Lustmord also did some work with the epic Throbbing Gristle & Psychic TV?

They sip from the source of Celtic pathos & Pagan madness which touches us all from Dark Welsh ancestry.

I know the feeling.... done that!

Cale's father was a coal miner and you can hear that in his sinister and menacing soundscapes, the endlessly deep black abyss, threatening to suck you in, drowning you forever.

I always thought it was bleed for me. I looked it up it's plead.

Crimson Wolf Spot on! Though Reed wrote most of the Velvets songs, it was Cale who was the musical mastermind of their sound . It was Cale who introduced the drone sound and that repetetive piano staccato into rock&roll, so many other bands have used in their songs ever since. But due to Reed´s selfishness, Cale was never properly credited for his musical contribution to TVU&N and WL/WH. It should have been: lyrics - Lou Reed music - Lou Reed & John Cale. This was the reason Cale and Reed wouldn´t speak to each other for years due to copyright issues.

Reed was an average poet, no more. Cale is a classical artist with incredible talent.

@@calzabbath Average poet is being very generous! Cale wrote better songs, made better arrangements, had a better voice, was a better musician and produced/introduced MANY important iconic artists! If Mick Ronson and Bowie had not salvaged Reed's career with "Transformer"... he would have disappeared. Reed was 90% hype and cruised through his entire career on the VU reputation as if it was ALL his doing. Most of Reed's solo output, if truth be told, was crap.

@@crimsonwolf9099 agree. If you give me all Reed’s discography to listen for a week, I will come out mildly enjoying one track per album at best, maybe with the exception of Transformer which, as you say, it’s more about production than anything else.

@@crimsonwolf9099 I once saw Reed try to tune his guitar.

I feel like anyone who takes that path won't be disappointed. :-) 'Paris 1919' is one of the best songs/albums ever. I wish more people knew about Cale, but because they don't, he's also a special treat.

Not a cover really - he was in the band.

Krystal: Personally I much prefer his more recent output. I think Hobosapiens is one of the strongest if not THE strongest album he's ever recorded. I also like much of its follow up album; Black acetate and also Shifty adventures in Nookie wood. Cale never stops experimenting and his ear is very open to modern (and apparently unlikely) influences.

Powertuber1000 thank you.

Timeless, I love it!! 🤩

Your comment on Reed.... NAILED IT!!!!!

Lou Reed in his prime could not imagine an orchestration such as this. Do you listen to music?