Complete List Of The Velvet Underground Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: English: Photographer unknown. Published by Verve Records, a subsidiary of MGM Records at the time., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Velvet Underground took shape in New York City in the mid-1960s, born out of a creative partnership between Lou Reed, a songwriter from Long Island with a background in pop music and literature, and John Cale, a classically trained experimental musician from Wales. The duo fused Reed’s streetwise lyrics and rock inclinations with Cale’s avant-garde sensibilities, eventually forming a band that also included guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker. Their early sound was abrasive, unfiltered, and utterly unlike anything in the mainstream—qualities that would go on to define their impact, even if commercial success initially eluded them.

The band became closely associated with artist Andy Warhol, who took them under his wing in 1966 and featured them as the house band for his traveling multimedia show, the Exploding Plastic Inevitable. Warhol also introduced the band to German singer and model Nico, insisting she join them for their debut record. This collaboration resulted in their groundbreaking first album, The Velvet Underground & Nico, released in 1967. Though it failed to chart at the time, it has since become one of the most influential albums in rock history, noted for its raw depictions of drug use, sexuality, and alienation, as well as its experimental musical textures.

Their debut featured songs that have become synonymous with their legacy, including “Heroin,” “I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Venus in Furs,” and “All Tomorrow’s Parties.” The album’s iconic banana cover, designed by Warhol, added to its mystique. While radio stations and record stores shunned the record, it planted the seeds for countless underground movements and directly influenced the birth of punk, alternative, and art rock. The band’s refusal to compromise their content or sound made them outliers in a pop landscape dominated by psychedelic optimism and polished production.

By the time of their second album, White Light/White Heat (1968), Nico had departed and tensions between Reed and Cale were intensifying. The resulting record was even more abrasive and chaotic, with tracks like “Sister Ray” pushing the boundaries of structure and sound. Cale exited the band later that year, replaced by Doug Yule. With this new lineup, the Velvet Underground released their third, self-titled album in 1969. It marked a dramatic tonal shift—quieter, more introspective, and filled with songs that emphasized melody over noise. Tracks like “Pale Blue Eyes” and “Candy Says” revealed a gentler, more emotional side of Reed’s writing.

In 1970, the band released Loaded, an album designed to appeal more to mainstream audiences. It included what would become two of their most well-known songs: “Sweet Jane” and “Rock & Roll.” Despite the increased accessibility, the band still struggled commercially. Reed, frustrated with the band’s trajectory and label issues, quit the group shortly before the album’s release. Yule carried on with a new version of the band, releasing Squeeze in 1973, an album widely considered outside the canon of the original Velvet Underground legacy, as none of the founding members participated.

Throughout their brief but tumultuous original run, the Velvet Underground released five studio albums: The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967), White Light/White Heat (1968), The Velvet Underground (1969), Loaded (1970), and Squeeze (1973). The band’s singles never charted significantly, and their albums met little commercial acclaim during their active years. However, their legacy grew exponentially in the decades that followed, often summarized by Brian Eno’s famous quote that while not many people bought their first album, everyone who did started a band.

The Velvet Underground reunited briefly in 1993 for a European tour with the classic lineup of Reed, Cale, Morrison, and Tucker. Plans for a North American leg and a new album fell apart when Reed and Cale clashed again. Their final reunion performance occurred in Paris, and the group was formally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, though Cale declined to attend in protest of Reed’s decision to exclude him from the performance.

Outside of music, the members of the Velvet Underground contributed to various forms of art and advocacy. Reed went on to have a prolific solo career, writing critically acclaimed albums such as Transformer and Berlin. Cale explored avant-garde music and production, collaborating with artists across genres. Tucker continued making music with a raw, minimalist approach and became a symbol for women in punk and alternative scenes. Sterling Morrison pursued academia, teaching at the University of Texas before his death in 1995.

The band’s impact extended far beyond their lifespan. Their influence can be heard in artists ranging from David Bowie and R.E.M. to Sonic Youth and The Strokes. Documentaries, tribute albums, and scholarly retrospectives have attempted to unpack the band’s dense mythology and lasting relevance. Todd Haynes’ 2021 documentary The Velvet Underground introduced a new generation to their radical innovation and cultural importance.

Their unapologetic exploration of taboo subjects, unconventional song structures, and embrace of artistic freedom have made them icons of counterculture. The Velvet Underground didn’t follow trends—they carved out their own path entirely, and in doing so, gave rise to entire genres. They remain beloved not for mass appeal, but for their authenticity, vision, and courage to be unlike anything else in their time.