Run Run Run (Velvet Underground song)
Encyclopedia
"Run Run Run" is a song by The Velvet Underground
originally released on the band's 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico.
The song was written on the back of an envelope
by Lou Reed
while he and the band were on their way to a gig at the Café Bizarre. The song details a number of characters living in New York City
, including Teenage Mary, Margarita Passion, Seasick Sarah, and Beardless Harry; all of whom are detailed using or seeking drugs. In addition to mentioning New York scenery such as Union Square
and 47th Street
, the song makes use of drug terms paired with religious imagery. Two of the four verses directly speak of heroin use, a theme found in the album. In the song, Marguerita Passion tried to sell her soul in order to get "a fix", while Seasick Sarah "turned blue", causing her angels to panic. The song is also well known because of Lou Reed's guitar solo, and its lack of a conventional approach.
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
originally released on the band's 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico.
The song was written on the back of an envelope
Envelope
An envelope is a common packaging item, usually made of thin flat material. It is designed to contain a flat object, such as a letter or card....
by Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
while he and the band were on their way to a gig at the Café Bizarre. The song details a number of characters living in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, including Teenage Mary, Margarita Passion, Seasick Sarah, and Beardless Harry; all of whom are detailed using or seeking drugs. In addition to mentioning New York scenery such as Union Square
Union Square (New York City)
Union Square is a public square in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York.It is an important and historic intersection, located where Broadway and the former Bowery Road – now Fourth Avenue – came together in the early 19th century; its name celebrates neither the...
and 47th Street
Diamond District, Manhattan
The Diamond District is an area of New York City located on West 47th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue in midtown Manhattan, within walking distance of many New York attractions...
, the song makes use of drug terms paired with religious imagery. Two of the four verses directly speak of heroin use, a theme found in the album. In the song, Marguerita Passion tried to sell her soul in order to get "a fix", while Seasick Sarah "turned blue", causing her angels to panic. The song is also well known because of Lou Reed's guitar solo, and its lack of a conventional approach.
Cover versions
- Električni OrgazamElektrični OrgazamElektrični Orgazam is a Serbian rock band from Belgrade. Originally starting as a combination of New Wave, punk rock and post-punk, the band later slowly changed their style, becoming a mainstream rock act.- New Wave years :...
's lead vocalist, Srđan Gojković, recorded a cover version of the song for an art exhibition of Andy WarholAndy WarholAndrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
's works at the Modern Arts Museum in ZagrebZagrebZagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
, released in 2008 on his compilation Muzika za film, TV i muzej.
- The StrokesThe StrokesThe Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
and Echo & the BunnymenEcho & the BunnymenEcho & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
have covered it live.
- BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
covered the entirety of The Velvet Underground and NicoThe Velvet Underground and NicoThe Velvet Underground & Nico is the debut album by American rock band The Velvet Underground and vocal collaborator Nico. It was originally released in March 1967 by Verve Records...
including "Run Run Run" as part of his Record ClubRecord ClubRecord Club is a musical project initiated by Beck Hansen in June 2009.The purpose of the project is to cover an entire album by another artist in one day, using an informal and fluid collective of musicians...
project.