Lou Reed’s earliest known recording of the Velvet Underground song, Heroin has been shared, offering some fascinating insight into the evolution of the classic track. Recorded by Reed in May 1965, the demo predates the Velvet’s landmark debut LP by two years.  

Previously, a demo version of Heroin, recorded by Reed with his Velvet Underground bandmates John Cale and Sterling Morrison, was shared on the 1995 compilation album Peel Slowly and See. This early recording of Heroin was made two months prior and finds Reed performing the track solo, accompanying himself on guitar. It is structurally similar to the full band version that arrived on The Velvet Underground & Nico in 1967 but extends the original composition by more than three minutes. Listen below. 

Lou Reed | ‘Heroin’ [May 1965 Demo] 

READ MORE: THE VELVET UNDERGROUND: 10 OF THE BEST

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