One of my favorite quotes in rock & roll history was by Brian Eno about the Velvet Underground. He said, "The first Velvet Underground album only sold 10,000 copies, but everyone who bought it formed a band" -- and the famous rock critic Lester Bangs wrote this about the band, "modern music begins with the Velvets and the implications and influence of what they did seem to go on forever." These quotes sum up nicely how important the Velvet Underground has been in the development of rock music. They have inspired so many musicians that you could find thousands of VU covers without having to search too hard. For this playlist I've selected what I feel are 30 fine examples of Velvet Underground covers that offer a glimpse of just how influential the band has been to a wide cross section of followers and fans.
What's your favorite Velvet Underground cover?
Velvet Underground Covers
1. Pale Blue Eyes - R.E.M.
2. Rock N Roll - The Runaways
3. I'm Waiting For The Man - David Bowie
4. After Hours - Rilo Kiley
5. Venus in Furs - DeVotchKa
6. Sweet Jane - Cowboy Junkies
7. All Tomorrow's Parties - Nick Cave
8. Here She Comes Now - Nirvana
9. Femme Fatale - Big Star
10. I'm Sticking With You - The Decemberists
11. I'm Set Free - Yo La Tengo
12. Sister Ray - Joy Division
13. Foggy Notion- The Modern Lovers
14. Velvet Underground - Jonathan Richman
15. Heroin - Roky Erickson
16. There She Goes Again - Beat Farmers
17. The Black Angel's Death Song - Mitch Easter
18. Coney Island Steeple - Jack Grisham
19. Candy Says - Martin Gore
20. European Son - Gary Lucas
21. Who Loves the Sun - The Spires
22. Jesus - Voice of the Beehive
23. White Light/White Heat - Slaughter and the Dogs
24. What Goes On - Screaming Trees
25. Sunday Morning - James
26. Stephanie Says - Lady & Bird
27. Ride Into The Sun - Luna
28. Run Run Run - Motorcycle Boy
29. Head Held High - Jack Grisham
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