Top Ten Songs by the Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground indelibly changed the face of music. With complex and often meandering song structure and lyrics from the darker side of life, the Underground blended sounds and feelings into beautiful songs. Although never a commercial success, the influence wielded by the Velvet Underground continues to be felt today in alternative, rock, and punk scenes, as it most likely will be into the future. Paring down all the wonderful songs into the top ten is a difficult job when dealing with a band like this, but here is my attempt:

10) "Run Run Run"

The droning blue's riff sets this song, off of the band's 1967 debut release The Velvet Underground and Nico, into motion. The notes wander with the narration and listeners experience the possibilities that music creates. The amazing thing about this track is the simplicity of instrumentation versus the immense sense of imagination conveyed. A truly incredible song.

9) "Sister Ray"

From the Velvet Underground's album, White Light/White Heat, "Sister Ray" is a 17 minute song that includes multiple references to heroin and "sucking on my ding-dong." The content is crude, but wholly necessary. This is a band that heralded the inclusion of realism into songs. No more did people softly pine for their loved ones. No song in the Velvet Underground catalogue sends this message clearer than "Sister Ray."

8) "I'm Waiting for the Man"

The nasally-throttle of Lou Reed's voice weaves a coherent but strange tale of racing to meet someone in

New York City
. All the realism of the street pours through the music and words and listeners are catapulted into the world that the Velvet Underground frames with ease.

7) "Heroin"

The emotional impact of listening to "Heroin" is intense. The droning chords and frequent notes of distortion introduce listeners into the cyclical nature of the song. The words are haunting. And the song builds and plateaus at incredible and perfect points. Velvet Underground is the only band that could have written or performed this song.

6) "What Goes On"

A more radio-friendly tune, "What Goes On" still incorporates the musical bravery and lyrical realism that is the calling card of the Velvet Underground. It's an easy song for listeners to get a handle on, but still allows glimpses into what the Velvet Underground is capable of.

5) "I'll Be Your Mirror"

Nico, a former German model I believe, provides the weirdly-intoned voice for this song. Somehow the thing works beautifully and this is probably why I love the Velvet Underground so much: the songs are flawed (as is any song) but they answer those flaws in an unapologetic bravery.

4) "Beginning to See the Light"

This song carries pleasant memories for me. There's a tremendous amount of movement (it feels as though the band members are jogging and playing) in this song. And it also displays the vocal stylings of Lou perfectly-detached, yet passionate, sarcastic yet sympathetic.

3) "Sweet Jane"

Seeing this song peak at number 3 on my list fills me with dread-that is how much I adore this song. It's raw with the key of detached passion that somehow only Lou Reed can sing in. It's sweet and moving and musical. I could listen to this song for days on end and never tire of it.

2) "Sunday Morning"

From The Velvet Underground and Nico, "Sunday Morning" is another in a long line of sweet and sad songs that just cut me. I don't know what it is about this song that makes me love it so, but there is a certain quality that is simply spot-on.

1) "Pale Blue Eyes"

This is the saddest song I have ever heard, and one of the most beautiful ever created. People could weep listening to "Pale Blue Eyes," it is so chilling and moving and gorgeous. The top Velvet Underground song for me.