The Black Angel's Death Song
Encyclopedia
"The Black Angel's Death Song" is a song by The Velvet Underground
, from their 1967 debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico. It was written by Lou Reed
and John Cale
. The lyrics seem to be written from the perspective of a man or the Black Angel
, a figure of death, philosophising about life and death.
The song was an early favorite for the band and is rumored to have led to their meeting with future manager Andy Warhol
. In late 1965 the Velvets were booked to play at the Café Bizarre in Greenwich Village, however the gigs did not attract many people (according to Cale the club was made up almost exclusively of drunks) and the club's owner insisted on them fulfilling every minute of their booked time, with the final straw being a long gig on Christmas Eve
. The band began playing long improvised versions of "Black Angel's Death Song" to the point where they were threatened with the sack if they performed it one more time. On 11 November 1965, The Velvets retorted with an even longer grand finale of the song. On their way out they were approached by a member of the audience, Andy Warhol, who within five months was producing their début album.
, the music is dominated by the piercing sound of John Cale's electric viola, creating dissonance
throughout the song. Also throughout the song are loud bursts of audio feedback
, primarily from Cale hissing into the microphone. The guitars in the song are downtuned a whole step (as is common with a handful of other songs on The Velvet Underground & Nico).
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...
, from their 1967 debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico. It was written 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...
and John Cale
John Cale
John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....
. The lyrics seem to be written from the perspective of a man or the Black Angel
Death (personification)
The concept of death as a sentient entity has existed in many societies since the beginning of history. In English, Death is often given the name Grim Reaper and, from the 15th century onwards, came to be shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and clothed in a black cloak with a hood...
, a figure of death, philosophising about life and death.
The song was an early favorite for the band and is rumored to have led to their meeting with future manager Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew 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...
. In late 1965 the Velvets were booked to play at the Café Bizarre in Greenwich Village, however the gigs did not attract many people (according to Cale the club was made up almost exclusively of drunks) and the club's owner insisted on them fulfilling every minute of their booked time, with the final straw being a long gig on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
. The band began playing long improvised versions of "Black Angel's Death Song" to the point where they were threatened with the sack if they performed it one more time. On 11 November 1965, The Velvets retorted with an even longer grand finale of the song. On their way out they were approached by a member of the audience, Andy Warhol, who within five months was producing their début album.
Recording
Recorded April 1966 at Scepter Studios, New York CityNew 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...
, the music is dominated by the piercing sound of John Cale's electric viola, creating dissonance
Dissonance
Dissonance has several meanings, all related to conflict or incongruity:*Consonance and dissonance in music are properties of an interval or chord*Cognitive dissonance is a state of mental conflict...
throughout the song. Also throughout the song are loud bursts of audio feedback
Audio feedback
Audio feedback is a special kind of positive feedback which occurs when a sound loop exists between an audio input and an audio output...
, primarily from Cale hissing into the microphone. The guitars in the song are downtuned a whole step (as is common with a handful of other songs on The Velvet Underground & Nico).
Miscellaneous
- BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
covered this song as part of his Record Club website series. - The Austin, TexasAustin, TexasAustin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
band The Black AngelsThe Black Angels (band)- History :Formed in May 2004, the band's name derives from the Velvet Underground song "The Black Angel's Death Song".In 2005, the Black Angels were featured on a dual-disc compilation album of psychedelic music called Psychedelica Vol.1 from Northern Star Records...
derived their name from this song.