THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

58-Lou Reed-Walk on the Wild Side.

1972-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 3.38. If I said to you, ‘Can I kick it?’ What would you answer?

Lou Reed (see also best songs 401-165 and 131) was born Lewis Allan Reed on March 2nd, 1942, in New York City, United States, he died from liver disease on October 27th, 2013, at the age of 71. Lou Reed had been a founding member of the Velvet Underground in 1964, (see also best songs 401 and 165) and remained a member until 1970 when he then began to pursue his solo career. The discography of Lou Reed includes four studio Albums with the Velvet Underground, which were issued between 1967-1970, then a further 22 studio Albums as a solo artist, which have been issued between 1972-2022, As a solo artist he has also released 46 singles between 1972-2011, of which only this song has made the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, when reaching Number 16. While in the UK, five of his singles have made the top 40, with the 1997 re-recording of ‘Perfect Day’ for the ‘Children in Need’ charity reaching Number 1 in 1997.

‘Walk on the Wild Side’ was the first of three singles released from Lou Reed’s second solo studio Album ‘Transformer’ from 1972, and was released as a double ‘A’ sided single with ‘Perfect Day,’ (see also best songs 131) which was also a track from ‘Transformer.’ ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ was written by Lou Reed, and produced by David Bowie, (1947-2016) (see also best songs 807-701-440-334-302-209-186-131-118-47 and 31) and Mick Ronson, (1946-1993) (see also best songs 661-405 and 131) as was the whole of the’Transformer’ Album. On ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ David Bowie plays the acoustic guitar, while Mick Ronson received a special mention from Lou Reed for the songs string arrangement. The baritone saxophone solo was provided by Ronnie Ross (1933-1991) at the request of Bowie, as he had been a saxophone tutor to Bowie in his youth. Others to appear on the track included Herbie Flowers, (bass) and the British female vocal group ‘Thunderthighs.’

Lyrically ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ was groundbreaking and exceptionally risque for it’s time, as it contained references to prostitution, transgender people, and oral sex. There are many songs in this countdown that were banned from being played on the radio and television, often for very little reason, but because Lou Reed disguised the lyrics, much of the media in their naivety let it go under the radar, although the term ‘coloured girls’ was an issue in America, so ‘RCA’ records provided radio stations with a version changing ‘coloured girls’ to ‘and the girls.’

‘Walk on the Wild Side’ is about the people who worked for the American artist, director and producer Andy Warhol (1928-1987) in the 1960’s and early 1970’s, they were referred to as ‘Superstars,’ and were well known to Lou Reed from his days with the Velvet Underground. For example ‘Holly’ is based on Holly Woodlawn (1946-2015) who was a transgender actress. ‘Candy’ is based on Candy Darling, (1944-1974) another transgender actress, who was also the basis for an earlier Lou Reed song ‘Candy Says.’ Little Joe’ was the nickname of Joe D’Allesandro who claims that he had not yet met Reed at the time of the songs release. ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’ is a reference to the actor Joe Campbell, (1936-2005) who played a drug dealer in Andy Warhol’s 1965 film ‘My Hustler, and ‘Jackie’ is based on Jackie Curtis, (1947-1985) who was another actress employed by Warhol.’

‘Holly came from Miami, F.L.A. Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A. Plucked her eyebrows on the way, shaved her legs and then he was a she,she says, ‘Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side,’ said, ‘Hey honey, take a walk on the wild side.”