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Transformer (album)




  Type Studio album
  Artist Lou Reed
  Cover Loureedtransformerjpeg
  Released 8 December 1972
  Recorded August 1972
  Genre Glam Rock
  Length 36:40
  Label RCA Records
  Producer David Bowie , Mick Ronson
  Last Album '' Lou Reed ''<br/>(1972)
  This Album '''''Transformer'''''<br/>(1972)
  Next Album '' Berlin ''<br/>(1973)


''Transformer'' is '', eight songs of which were leftovers from his Velvet Underground days, this album contains mainly new material.

It was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson , who had been strongly influenced by Reed's work with the Velvet Underground. The album features some of Reed's best-known songs such as " Walk On The Wild Side ", " Perfect Day " and " Satellite Of Love ", and made him an international star in his own right.

"Andy's Chest" had been recorded in 1969 for The Velvet Underground's "lost fourth album" (see '' VU '' and '' Another View '') and "Satellite of Love" had been demoed for that band's 1970 album '' Loaded '', but neither had been used. For ''Transformer'', the poppy up-tempo feel of these songs was slowed down to turn them into fragile ballads. Although all songs on the album were credited to Reed, it has long been rumoured that "Wagon Wheel" is actually a David Bowie composition. All Music Guide "Wagon Wheel" review

The first single from the album, "Walk on the Wild Side", became an international success, despite its adult subject matter (it was edited in some countries and banned in others) and it is now generally regarded as Reed's signature tune. "Satellite of Love" was issued as the second single in February 1973. In 2002, a 30th anniversary edition of the album was released; in addition to demos of "Hangin' Round" and "Perfect Day", it includes a Hidden Track featuring an Advert for the album.

The cover art was from a Mick Rock photograph.

''Transformer'' is ranked number 55 on '''''s list of "100 Greatest Albums Ever".


TRACK LISTING

All songs written by Lou Reed .
# "Vicious" – 2:58
# "Andy's Chest" – 3:20
# " Perfect Day " – 3:46
# "Hangin' Round" – 3:35
# " Walk On The Wild Side " – 4:15
# "Make Up" – 3:00
# " Satellite Of Love " – 3:42
# "Wagon Wheel" – 3:19
# "New York Telephone Conversation" – 1:33
# "I'm So Free" – 3:09
# "Goodnight Ladies" – 4:21

2002 bonus tracks

# "Hangin' Round" (Acoustic demo) – 3:57
# "Perfect Day" (Acoustic demo) – 4:50


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