The Velvet Underground

[face of glass]

1. Originally an underground book from the '60s about you-guess-what :



that gave it's name to:

2. A bunch of New York losers whose band was never commercially successful but they introduced the youngsters of the world to the decadent heroin-worshipping clique:



who might have given their name to:

3. The shop where Stevie used to hang out when she was a "nobody".

which eventually was turned into:

4. The opening line of "Gypsy".

Now the question is: was Stevie aware of the connotations that the "velvet underground" has or not?

I thought it was damn cool myself when I first heard the song. "Ah, that's a cool woman, she namechecked The Velvet Underground". We all know Stevie liked the excess as much as anyone but from my understanding she never listened to this kind of anti-hippie stuff. She might dislike the music and she might dislike the stories surrounding VU. Ever heard the one about the toilets not working and therefore the members carried the poop in their hands to the street?

[The Tower]

I always thought Stevie was singing "back to the velvet, underground"- meaning that she was surrounding herself with lace, paper flowers, and velvet fabric and then hid herself away from FM "underground".

I never really saw a connection to THE Velvet Underground. I dunno- just my own weird world I guess.

[wondergirl9847]

Here is a link to Stevie talking about Gypsy.

http://www.inherownwords.com/gypsy.htm

[darklinensuit]

I can't imagine she didn't know.
BTW, did anybody see that Nico Icon movie a few years back? (1996, I believe.)

- Jake

[Street Angel]

Yes, as a Nico fan I HAD to see "Nico Icon". I'm glad that finally this film and some good books about her are available, because IMO not only Nico's music but also her life is very interesting indeed.

[face of glass]

Originally Posted by The Tower

I always thought Stevie was singing "back to the velvet, underground"- meaning that she was surrounding herself with lace, paper flowers, and velvet fabric and then hid herself away from FM "underground".

I never really saw a connection to THE Velvet Underground. I dunno- just my own weird world I guess.

At The Stevie Nicks Underground and in the lyric speculation of "Gypsy" on the Penguin she pretty much hints at this but the shop in San Francisco is also mentioned. Most likely the band inspired the name of the shop, at least.

[darklinensuit]

Originally Posted by Street Angel

Yes, as a Nico fan I HAD to see "Nico Icon". I'm glad that finally this film and some good books about her are available, because IMO not only Nico's music but also her life is very interesting indeed.

Definitely a unique style and Voice. I'm not a fan, but at least she was different.

- Jake