Transformer

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Transformer · Lou Reed had had little success with his first solo album. David Bowie, an early fan of the Velvet Underground, used his fame to support him and produced the follow-up together with Mick Ronson at Trident Studios in London. Four of the eleven tracks Reed had written back in the days of the Velvet Underground, such as Satellite of Love and Andy's Chest; the tempo went down. Ronson played guitar, piano and recorder and wrote the strings for Perfect Day.

Walk on the Wild Side, about sexual orientation, gender identity, prostitution and drugs, became his biggest single, although it was edited or banned in some countries. The song is based on people from Andy Warhol's Factory. Vicious grew out of a remark by Warhol. The album turned a cult figure into an international star and is regarded as an influential landmark of glam rock.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Vicious2:59Apple Music ↗
2. 2Andy's Chest3:21Apple Music ↗
3. 3Perfect Day3:47Apple Music ↗
4. 4Hangin' 'Round3:35Apple Music ↗
5. 5Walk on the Wild Side4:16Apple Music ↗
6. 6Make Up3:01Apple Music ↗
7. 7Satellite of Love3:43Apple Music ↗
8. 8Wagon Wheel3:20Apple Music ↗
9. 9New York Telephone Conversation1:34Apple Music ↗
10. 10I'm So Free3:10Apple Music ↗
11. 11Goodnight Ladies4:20Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗