Taylor Swift Covers “Heroin” On New Lou Reed Tribute Album

A New Lou Reed tribute album is coming and it features a Taylor Swift cover of the classic Velvet Underground song “Heroin”. It’s been more than a decade since we lost the legendary Lou Reed, but his influence is still as indelible as ever. The new Lou Reed tribute album will feature versions of the man’s work by artists from a bunch of different generations. Besides Taylor, others contributing to the album include Keith Richards, Beyonce, BTS, New Kids On The Block and many more.

Swift is a long time Lou Reed fan and often credits him as a big influence on her songwriting. “When I was 7, I performed ‘Walk On The Wild Side’ at my school talent show” said Swift. “I won first place and a two week suspension. No matter though because that did not stop me. It only made my resolve stronger. I owe my success to Lou but not my money.”

Velvet Underground

“Heroin” is a song by the Velvet Underground, released on their 1967 debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico. Written by Lou Reed in 1964, the song, which overtly depicts heroin usage and its effects, is one of the band’s most celebrated compositions. It is a dark haunting 7 minute dirge with many highs and lows. In 2004, it was ranked at number 448 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

Taylor Swift Covers “Heroin” On New Lou Reed Tribute Album

Swift continued, “Heroin feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket and realizing you’ve been cold your whole life. The longer you stay in the blanket the colder the world gets. That’s what Keith Richards told me anyway. I can relate because that’s how I feel when I am actually wrapped in a warm blanket. Anyway, This song perfectly captures that feeling. I love how the drums act almost as a heartbeat, so when its mentioned that the protagonist is shooting up, the drums get faster like a heart beating. This song is pure genius, just like me.”

Taylor Swift Hearts Lou Reed

“Did you know Lou wrote this song back in 1964” said Taylor. “He was working for a record company as a songwriter where they would lock him up in a room and demand ten surfing songs. He comes out and tells them Hey I got something for ya. They thought he was crazy. Well, actually he was. You could say he was The Edgar Allen Poe of Rock n Roll. His parents once sent him away for shock therapy to shock the sissy out of him. He was a tortured genius just like me. My parents once took my phone away for a day.”

The Lou Reed tribute album is titled “The Power Of The Heart”. The compilation will feature interpretations of Lou Reed and Velvet Underground songs from a list of eclectic artists. Check out the track list below: