Lady Godiva's Operation
"Lady Godiva's Operation" | |
---|---|
Song by the Velvet Underground | |
from the album White Light/White Heat | |
Released | January 30, 1968 |
Recorded | September 1967 |
Studio | Scepter Studios, New York City |
Length | 4:56 |
Label | Verve |
Songwriter(s) | Lou Reed |
Producer(s) | Tom Wilson |
"Lady Godiva's Operation" is a song by the Velvet Underground from their second album, White Light/White Heat (1968). The lyrics of the first half of the song, sung by John Cale, describe Lady Godiva; the lyrics of the second half, sung by Cale alternating with Lou Reed, are full of oblique, deadpan black humor and describe a botched surgical procedure, implied to be either a lobotomy or a sex change.[1][2] Cale plays electric viola while Sterling Morrison plays bass, an instrument that he disliked, despite his competent abilities.[3][4]
The song was covered by the Fatima Mansions as a single.[5]
Personnel[]
- John Cale – lead vocals, electric viola, medical instrument vocal noises
- Lou Reed – co-lead vocals, electric guitar
- Sterling Morrison – bass guitar, backing vocals, medical instrument vocal noises
- Maureen Tucker – percussion
References[]
- ^ Wawzenek, Bryan (March 30, 2018). "Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News: 40 Songs About Doctors". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ Thacker, Kyle (November 16, 2011). "Yearbook: the Velvet Underground". Heave Media. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ Hoffman, Eric. "Examinations: An Examination of John Cale". Mental Contagion. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
When I had to play viola, Sterling had to play bass, which he hated.
According to the website, the quote is from John Cale’s autobiography, What’s Welsh for Zen (NY: St. Martin’s Press (2000)). - ^ Pinnock, Tom (18 September 2012). "John Cale on The Velvet Underground & Nico". Uncut. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ^ Green, Jim. "Fatima Mansions". Trouser Press. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
Categories:
- The Velvet Underground songs
- 1968 songs
- Songs written by Lou Reed
- Lady Godiva
- Song recordings produced by Tom Wilson (record producer)
- Transgender-related music