Lady Godiva's Operation
"Lady Godiva's Operation" is a song by American avant-garde rock band the Velvet Underground, appearing on 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. Cale plays electric viola while lead guitarist Sterling Morrison plays bass, an instrument that he disliked, despite his competent abilities.[1][2]
| "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 |
The person's name is taken from the British legend of Lady Godiva, a noble English lady who rode naked through the streets of Coventry.
The song was covered by the Fatima Mansions as a single.[3]
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
- 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)). - Tom Pinnock (18 September 2012). "John Cale on The Velvet Underground & Nico". Uncut. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- Green, Jim. "Fatima Mansions". Trouser Press. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
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