C/D: "Andy's Chest" by the Velvet Underground

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If I could be anything in the world that flew
I would be a bat and come swooping after you
And if the last time you were here things were a bit askew

Well you know what happens after dark
When rattlesnakes lose their skins and their hearts
And all the missionaries lose their bark
Oh, all the trees are calling after you
And all the venom snipers after you
Are all the mountains bolder after you?

If I could be anyone of the things in this world that bite
Instead of an ancient ocelot on a leash, I'd rather be a kite
And be tied to the end of your string
And flying in the air, babe, at night
Cause you know what they say about honey bears
When you shave off all their baby hair
You have a hairy minded pink bare bear

And all the balls are rolling out for you
And stones are all erupting out for you
And all the cheap bloodsuckers are flying after you

Yesterday, Daisy Mae and Biff were grooving on the street
And just like in a movie, her hands became her feet
Her belly button was her mouth
Which meant she tasted what she'd speak

But the funny thing is what happened to her nose
It grew until it reached all of her toes
Now when people say her feet smell they mean her nose

And curtains laced with diamonds dear for you
And all the Roman Noblemen for you
And kingdom's Christian Soldiers dear for you
And melting ice cap mountain tops for you
And knights in flaming silver robes for you
And bats that with a kiss turn prince for you
Swoop, Swoop
oh baby,
Rock Rock
Swoop, Swoop, Rock, Rock

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Thursday, 12 January 2006 05:20 (twenty years ago)

it's no "do the ostrich"

― 2 columbus circle in 1964 (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 12 January 2006 05:26 (twenty years ago)

it's all good except the mouth/bellybutton feet/nose shit in the middle. at that point i'm always like get back to the ocelots and bats, lou, you're losing the plot

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Thursday, 12 January 2006 05:28 (twenty years ago)

i think his solo version on "transformer" is much better.

― Christopher Costello (CGC), Thursday, 12 January 2006 05:32 (twenty years ago)

The "swoop, swoop, rock, rock" part always cracks me up. Definitely a classic.

― vartman (novaheat), Thursday, 12 January 2006 05:40 (twenty years ago)

Fritz OTM

― Oleo, Thursday, 12 January 2006 06:26 (twenty years ago)

classic!

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 12 January 2006 06:27 (twenty years ago)

seconded! pretty melody and lyrics: sweet absurd poetry

"curtains laced with diamonds dear for you"

the title confused me as a kid, I always thought it was some freaky gay thing, but I suppose it's a reference to Warhol getting shot?

― m coleman (lovebug starski), Thursday, 12 January 2006 10:45 (twenty years ago)

This is pretty damn classic, but I agree that the Transformer version is a lot better than the VU recording. But I really don't agree with the people knocking the sillier lyrics - that's a lot of the appeal for me!

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 12 January 2006 11:25 (twenty years ago)

The Transformer version is my fave Lou.

― shieldforyoureyes, Thursday, 12 January 2006 12:59 (twenty years ago)

CLASSIC

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Thursday, 12 January 2006 13:00 (twenty years ago)

I WAYYYYY prefer the VU version to the Transformer version. The VU version has a better bassline. Actually, this is my favorite Velvet Underground song.

― !!!@@@333, Thursday, 12 January 2006 13:46 (twenty years ago)

I'm (sticking) with you on preferring the VU version..

― D.I.Y. U.N.K.L.E. (dave225.3), Thursday, 12 January 2006 14:14 (twenty years ago)

It sure sings better than it scans! Lester Bangs wondered "How does a group go from 'Heroin' to 'Jesus' in two years?" - there was no room for honey bears in that equation. Great scratchy rhythm guitars. Classic. Don't care much for Lou's solo version

I'm pretty sure I woulda liked the 4th (unfinished) VU album more than the 3rd or "Loaded", even tho I've no idea what the finished version would consist of. (Not that I don't love those other two.)

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Thursday, 12 January 2006 14:41 (twenty years ago)

Bahhhh bah bah bah bah... Classic!

― Aleeshie (Aleeshie), Thursday, 12 January 2006 15:40 (twenty years ago)

man, Lou really has gone downhill since then hasn't he? what a great tune.

― shookout (shookout), Thursday, 12 January 2006 15:53 (twenty years ago)

i love this song so much

― s1ocki (slutsky), Thursday, 12 January 2006 18:31 (twenty years ago)

Great in either version.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 12 January 2006 18:42 (twenty years ago)

Are those the for real lyrics?

Por ejemplo:

askew = cuckoo?

ancient ocelot = dentured ocelot?

― Steve Shasta (Steve Shasta), Thursday, 12 January 2006 18:46 (twenty years ago)

I have only heard one, VU version.

I love it - one of my favourites for 15+ years!

― the bellefox, Thursday, 12 January 2006 19:02 (twenty years ago)

when bowie comes in..man u can't argue.

'hangin round' is better mind.

― piscesboy, Thursday, 12 January 2006 19:04 (twenty years ago)

fourteen years pass...

Call it a #challop (if you must), but I think VU may secretly sorta be their best album.

― morrisp, Tuesday, 14 April 2020 05:42 (six years ago)

Well, any record with "Stephanie Says" is playing a major advantage.

― an incoherent crustacean (MatthewK), Tuesday, 14 April 2020 07:49 (six years ago)

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