=======================================
"Heroin"
=======================================
album _The Velvet Underground and Nico_
(The Velvet Underground, 1967)
written by Lou Reed
=======================================
I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then I tell you things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made big decision
I'm gonna try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
And you can't help me, not you guys
Or all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
Ah, in a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils of this town
And of himself and those around
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life, haha
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
I really don't care anymore
About all the Jim-Jims in this town
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
'Cause when the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
Ah, when that heroin is in my blood, hah
And that blood is in my head
Man thank God that I'm good as dead
And thank your God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I just don't care
And I guess that I just don't know
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
* all the strings downtuned a half-tone
1d# ----- * downtuned a half-tone (from e to d#)
2A# ----- * downtuned a half-tone (from B to A#)
3F# ----- * downtuned a half-tone (from G to F#)
4C# ----- * downtuned a half-tone (from D to C#)
5G# ----- * downtuned a half-tone (from A to G#)
6D# ----- * downtuned a half-tone (from E to D#)
intro {D}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} * tempo faster
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- going, But -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- can, 'Cause it makes me feel like ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- vein, Then I tell you things ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- run, And I feel just like Jesus' son ...)
{D}{G} (- know, And I guess that I just don't -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- know)
....
* intro (all the strings downtuned a half-tone)
{D} {G}
*1d# --2----------2---2---0----------0------
*2A# --3-----3------3-----0-----0--------0--
*3F# --2---2--------2-----0---0-------------
*4C# --0------------------0-----------------
*5G# ---------------------------------------
*6D# ---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
--2---2----3-2---2---0----------0------
--3--------3-3-3-3---0-----0--------0--
--2-2---2------2-----0---0------------- ...
--0------------------0-----------------
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
* riff: after "When I'm closing in on death"
(all the strings downtuned a half-tone)
{D} {G}
*1d# --2-------------7------9----7-----
*2A# --3-------------8-----10----8-----
*3F# --2-------------7------9----7----- ...
*4C# --0-------------0------0----0-----
*5G# ----------------------------------
*6D# ----------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
* chords for standard-tuning
intro {C#}
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#}
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#}
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#} * tempo faster
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#}
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#} (- going, But -)
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#} (- I'm gonna try for the kingdom ...)
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#} (- can, 'Cause it makes me feel ...)
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#} (- vein, Then I tell you things ...)
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#} (- run, And I feel just like ...)
{C#}{F#} (- know, And I guess that I just ...)
{C#}{F#}{C#}{F#} (- know)
....
==================================================
"Heroin"
==================================================
album _1969 Velvet Underground Live With Lou Reed_
(The Velvet Underground, 1974)
Nov 1969
San Francisco, California
==================================================
I don't know just where I'm going
And I'm going to try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes my feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then I tell ya things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made very big decision
I'm going to try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me, not you guys
Or all you girls with all your sweet pretty talk
Oh, you can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from -
- this land here and that
Away from big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils of this town
And of himself and those around
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, pretty babe, be the death of me
Heroin, you know it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head, ah
And then I'm better off than dead
When the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
'Bout all your Jim-Jims in this town
And everybody puttin' everybody else down
All the politicians making crazy sounds
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
'Cause while that heroin is in my blood
Then the blood is in my head, oh
Thank God that I'm good as dead
Thank God that I'm not aware
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
* all the strings downtuned a whole-tone
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
intro .../D} fade in
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} * tempo faster
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- going)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (And I'm going to try for the ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G/G7} (- can, 'Cause it makes my feel ...)
{D}{G/G7}{D}{G/G7} (- vein, Then I tell ya things ...)
{D}{G/G7}{D}{G/G7} (- run, And I feel just like ...)
{D}{G/G7} (- know, And I guess that I just ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- know)
{D}{G}{D}{G}
....
* intro (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
... fade in
/D}
*1d -------------
*2A -------------
*3F --2/4-2------
*4C --------4-2--
*5G -------------
*6D -------------
{D} {G}
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
-------------------------------2/4-2------
--0---0-0--------2/4--2-0-x--0-------4-2--
-----------0-2-4--------------------------
------------------------------------------
{D} {G}
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
-----------2/4-2--------------2/4-2-------
--0---0-0--------4-2-0---0-0---------4-2--
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
{D} {G}
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
-----------2/4-2--------------2/4-2-------
--0---0-0--------4-2-0---0-0---------4-2--
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
(* tempo faster)
{D} {G}
-------------2-------0----------0------
--3-----3--------3---0-----0--------0--
--2---2----2---2-----0--------0---2----
--0------------------0---0-------------
---------------------2-----------------
---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
--2---2----3-2-------0----------0------
--3-3------3-3---3---0-----0--------0--
--2-2----------2-----0--------0---2---- ...
--0------------------0---0-------------
---------------------2-----------------
---------------------------------------
* {D}{G/G7} part: (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
{D} {G / G7}
*1d --2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2---3-3-3-3--1-1-1-1--
*2A --3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
*3F --2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
*4C --0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
*5G ---------------------------------------
*6D ---------------------------------------
*** please note ***
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
v - vibrato
^ - harmonics
---------------------------------------------------------------------
* chords for standard-tuning
intro .../C} fade in
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F} * tempo faster *
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- going)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (And I'm going to try for the ...)
{C}{F}{C}{F/F7} (- can, 'Cause it makes my feel ...)
{C}{F/F7}{C}{F/F7} (- vein, Then I tell ya things ...)
{C}{F/F7}{C}{F/F7} (- run, And I feel just like ...)
{C}{F/F7} (- know, And I guess that I just ...)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- know)
{C}{F}{C}{F}
....
============================
"Heroin"
============================
album _Rock 'N' Roll Animal_
(Lou Reed, 1974)
Dec 21, 1973
The Academy of Music, NYC
============================
I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm goin' to try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then I tell you things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made very big decision
I'm goin' to try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me not you guys
All you sweet little girls with all your sweet talk
You can all go take a fuck 'n' walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
I put on a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
Oh, and I guess I just don't know
Oh, and I guess I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
When the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
About all your Jim-Jims in this town
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all of the politicians makin' crazy sounds
All the dead bodies piled up in mounds, yeah
Wow, that heroin is in my blood
And the blood is in my head
Yeah, the God's good as dead
Ooohhh, God that I'm not aware
I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess I just don't know
intro {C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{C11}
{C}{F}{C}{F} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- going, But -)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- I'm goin' to try for the kingdom ...)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- can, 'Cause it makes me feel ...)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- vein, Then I tell you things ...)
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F} (When I'm rushing on my run, And I ...)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (And I guess I just don't know, And ...)
g.solo {C}{F}{C}{F} twin guitar
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F...
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{C11}
....
* C11 chord
1e --3---
2B --3---
3G --3---
4D --3---
5A --3---
6E --x---
* twin guitar part (right channel)
{C} {F}
1e --------------------------------------------
2B ------------------5---8----6--5h6p5---------
3G ------------5--7-----------------------7----
4D -------3/5-------------------------------5--
5A --------------------------------------------
6E --------------------------------------------
{C} {F}
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
--7b9v-----------------------------------
-----------5v-------/7v-------------10\--
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
{C} {F}
---------------------------------------------
-------------------5---8----6--5h6p5---------
-------------5--7-----------------------7----
--------3/5-------------------------------5--
--3v-----------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
{C} {F}
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
--7b9v----------------------------------
-----------5v-------/7v--7-9-10\---2-3--
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
{C} {F}
---------------------------------------------
-------------------5---8----6--5h6p5---------
--5v---------5--7-----------------------7----
--5v--------------------------------------5--
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
{C} {F}
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
--7b9v--------------------------7-9-10--
-----------5v-------/7v--7-9-10---------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
{C} {F}
------------------------12---15v---13-12h13p12----------
----------------13--15----------------------------15-x--
--12v-------12------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
{C} {F...
----------------------------------------
--15b17v--r-----------------------------
------------12v---x--12b14v-------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
* twin guitar part (left channel)
{C} {F}
1e --------------------------------------------
2B --5-------------------1---------------------
3G --5-------------------2---------------------
4D --5-------------------3---------------------
5A --3-------------------3---------------------
6E ----------------------1---------------------
{C} {F}
-----------------------------------------
--5------------------1-------------------
--5------------------2-------------------
--5------------------3-------------------
--3------------------3-------------------
---------------------1-------------------
{C} {F}
----------------------------------------------------
------------------------13v----10h13p10-------------
-------------9--10--12------------------12v--10h11--
--/10v---10-----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
{C} {F}
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
--12v----------------10v-----------10\--
-----------10v--------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
{C} {F}
----------------------------------------------------
------------------------13v----10h13p10-------------
-------------9--10--12------------------12v--10h11--
--/10v---10-----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
{C} {F}
-------------------------------------------
------------------------------------17-18--
--12v----------------10v----/-17-19--------
-----------10v-----------------------------
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
{C} {F}
----------------------------20v----17h20p17--------------
--17v----------17--18--20-------------------20v---18h19--
----------17-x-------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
{C} {F...
---------------------13-----------------
--20v-----------------------------------
-----------17v---\---12b14--------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
*** please note ***
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
v - vibrato
^ - harmonics
=======================
"Heroin"
=======================
album _Live In Italy_
(Lou Reed, 1984)
Sep 07 (or 10), 1983
Verona (or Rome), Italy
=======================
I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm goin' to try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Ooohhh baby, things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess, baby, I just don't know
Oh-woh, I guess that I just don't know
I have made very big decision
I wish that I could nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me not you guys
Oh, all you girls, sweet, all your sweet pretty talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
And I, I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
I put on a, a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils in this town
Ooohhh baby, himself and those around
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my brain
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
When the smack begins to flow
I really don't care anymore
About all the Jim-Jims in this
Everybody puttin' everybody else down
And all the politicians makin' crazy sounds
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
Oh yeah
Ah, while that heroin is in my blood
And the blood is in my head
Thank God that I'm good as dead
Thank God that I'm not aware
Thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't
* Lou Reed (left channel): standard-tuning
drums x}
intro {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- going, But -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- I'm goin' to try for the kingdom if I -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- can, 'Cause it makes me feel like ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (Ooohhh baby, things aren't quite the ...)
{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (When I'm rushing on my run ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (And I guess, baby, I just don't know ...)
guitar {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
....
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
* Robert Quine (right channel): D-tuning
(all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
drums x}
intro {E}{A}{E}{A}
{E}{A}{E}{A}
{E}{A}{E}{A} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{E}{A}{E}{A} (- going, But -)
{E}{A}{E}{A} (- I'm goin' to try for the kingdom if I -)
{E}{A}{E}{A} (- can, 'Cause it makes me feel like ...)
{E}{A}{E}{A} (Ooohhh baby, things aren't quite the ...)
{E}{A}
{E}{A}{E}{A} (When I'm rushing on my run ...)
{E}{A}{E}{A} (And I guess, baby, I just don't know ...)
guitar {E}{A}{E}{A}
{E}{A}{E}{A}
....
* riff (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
{E} {A}
*1d ---0--------------0---0-----------------
*2A --/5v-------------3/5-5-----------------
*3F ----------------------------------------
*4C ----------------------------------------
*5G ----------------------------------------
*6D ----------------------------------------
{E} {A}
--0---0----0-0-------0--0-----0--------
--0---0----2-0----------3/5---3/5------
--1---1----1-1-------------------------
--2---2----2-2-------------------------
--2---2----2-2-------------------------
--0---0----0-0-------------------------
{E} {A}
--0---0----2-0-------0---0-----0---0----
--0---0----0-0-------3/5-3/5---3/5-3/5--
--1---1----1-1--------------------------
--2---2----2-2--------------------------
--2---2----2-2--------------------------
--0---0----0-0--------------------------
{E} {A}
--0-----0----2-0-------0---0-----0---0----
--0-----0----0-0-------3/5-3/5---3/5-3/5--
--0h1---1----1-1-------------------------- ...
--2-----2----2-2--------------------------
--2-----2----2-2--------------------------
--0-----0----0-0--------------------------
*** please note ***
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
v - vibrato
^ - harmonics
=============================================
"Heroin"
=============================================
album _1969 Velvet Underground Live Volume 1_
CD edition bonus track
(The Velvet Underground, 1988)
? 1969
?
=============================================
I don't know just where I'm going
And I'm going to try for the kingdom when I can
'Cause it makes my feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then I tell you things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Now I have made very big decision
And I'm going to try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me, not you guys
Or all you sweet pretty girls
with all your sweet pretty talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Now I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
And I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils of this town
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, you know that it's my wife, it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
Oh, I really don't care anymore
'Bout all your Jim-Jims in this town
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
While that heroin is in my blood
And the blood is in my head
Oh, thank God that I'm good as dead
Thank God that I'm not aware
Thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
* all the strings downtuned a whole-tone
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
intro {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} * tempo faster
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- going)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (And I'm going to try for the ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G/G7} (- can, 'Cause it makes my feel ...)
{D}{G/G7}{D}{G/G7} (- vein, Then I tell you things ...)
{D}{G/G7}{D}{G/G7} (- run, And I feel just like ...)
{D}{G/G7} (- know, And I guess that I just ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- know)
{D}{G}{D}{G}
....
* intro (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
{D} {G}
*1d ---------------------------------------
*2A ---------------------------------------
*3F --2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2--
*4C --0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
*5G ---------------------------------------
*6D ---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
--2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2-- ...
--0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
* chords for standard-tuning
intro {C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F} * tempo faster
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- going)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (And I'm going to try for the ...)
{C}{F}{C}{F/F7} (- can, 'Cause it makes my feel ...)
{C}{F/F7}{C}{F/F7} (- vein, Then I tell you things ...)
{C}{F/F7}{C}{F/F7} (- run, And I feel just like ...)
{C}{F/F7} (- know, And I guess that I just ...)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- know)
{C}{F}{C}{F}
....
=========================================================
"Heroin"
=========================================================
box set
_Between Thought And Expression - The Lou Reed Anthology_
(Lou Reed, 1992)
Dec 01, 1976
Roxy Theatre, LA
=========================================================
I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
And things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made very big decision
I'm gonna try to nullify my life
I have made the things aren't my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death, oh boot me mama
When I'm closing in on death
Ooohhh, you can't help me, hey hey, not you guys
All the evil, oh, you girls, all your sweet pretty talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that, I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
Hey, I put on a pretty little sailor's suit and cap
Ah, little, pretty little sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils in this town
And of himself and those around, and I tell you that I -
That I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
'Cause a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
Then I'm better off than
Then I'm better off than
I'm better off than dead
While heroin is in my blood
The blood is in my head
The pain fall in this town
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
intro {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} trumpet by Don Cherry
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- going)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- can)
{D}{G}{D}{G} ('Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (And things aren't quite the same)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (When I'm rushing on my run ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (And I guess that I just don't know ...)
horns {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
guitar {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
....
==============================
"Heroin"
==============================
album _Live MCMXCIII_
(The Velvet Underground, 1993)
Jun 1993
L'Olympia, Paris, France
==============================
I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
I feel just like Jesus' son
I guess that I just don't know
I guess that I just don't know
I have made very big decision
I'm gonna try, I'm goin' to try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
You can't help me, not you guys
all you girls with all your sweet pretty talk
Oh, you could all go take a walk
I guess that I just don't know
I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that, I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
In a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
Away from the big cities
Where a man could not be free
Of all of the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
And I guess that I just don't know
Ooohhh, guess that I just don't know
Heroin
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
Then I'm better off than dead
'Cause when the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
About all your Jim-Jims in this town
Everybody putting everybody else down
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
While that heroin is in my blood
And the blood is in my head
Oh-oh, thank God that I'm good as dead
Thank God I just don't care
Thank God I'm not aware
While that heroin is in my blood
And the blood is in my head
Oh-wow, thank God that I'm good as dead
Thank God I'm not aware
Thank God I just don't care
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
* all the strings downtuned a whole-tone
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
intro {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- going)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (But I'm gonna try for the kingdom ...)
{D}{G} (- can, 'Cause it makes me feel ...)
drums {D}{G}{D}{G} (- man)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (When I put a spike into my vein ...)
{D}{G/G7}{D}{G/G7} (- same)
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (When I'm rushing on my run ...)
{D}{G/G7}{D}{G/G7} (- son, I guess that I just don't -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- know)
....
* intro and riff (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
{D} {G}
*1d --2..--2h3--2-------------------------
*2A --3..--3----3------0...--0------------
*3F --2..--2----2------0...--0h2-0-0------ ...
*4C --0..--0----0------0...--------0h2-0--
*5G -------------------2...---------------
*6D ---------------0-2-3...---------------
*** please note ***
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
v - vibrato
^ - harmonics
---------------------------------------------------------------------
* chords for standard-tuning
intro {C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- going)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (But I'm gonna try for the kingdom ...)
{C}{F} (- can, 'Cause it makes me feel ...)
drums {C}{F}{C}{F} (- man)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (When I put a spike into my vein ...)
{C}{F/F7}{C}{F/F7} (- same)
{C}{F}{C}{F}
{C}{F}{C}{F} (When I'm rushing on my run ...)
{C}{F/F7}{C}{F/F7} (- son, I guess that I just don't -)
{C}{F}{C}{F} (- know)
....
===============================
"Heroin"
(demo take-5)
===============================
box set _Peel Slowly And See_
(The Velvet Underground, 1995)
Jul 1965
John Cale's Ludlow Street loft,
lower Manhattan, NYC
===============================
I know just where I'm going
I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel that I'm a man
When I put the spike into my vein
Then things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing from my run
And I feel like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made a big decision
I'm gonna nullify my life
When the blood begins to flow
When it squirts as the dropper's neck
When the smack goes and hits my blood
When I'm closing in on death
And my head begins to brow
You can't hit me, not you girl
All you guys sweet all your talk
You can all go take a walk
Down the sheets and off the floors
Through the windows with the people's halls
And the cars with the people round
And I love the people of my town
And I guess that I just don't know
Oh, I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I lived a hundred years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
In a sailor's suit and cap
Go away from that big city
Where a man cannot be free
From the evils of this town
Of himself and those around
Wish I travelled all around
But I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Heroin is gonna be the death of me
Heroin, it's my life and it's my wife
'Cause the mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
With that smack blood starting to flow
When I really don't care no more
About all the Jim-Jims in this town
All the animals making sounds
People selling people a poun-poun-pound
And the politicians and the clowns
And all the too-gooders with their frowns
And the dead bodies all piled in mounds
But while the heroin is in my blood
And the blood is in my head
I thank god that I'm good as dead
And thank god that I'm not aware
And thank god that I just don't care
I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
* all the strings downtuned a whole-tone
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
intro {D}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} * tempo faster
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I know just where I'm -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- going)
.... repeat
* intro (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
{D}
*1d --------------------
*2A --3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3--
*3F --2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2--
*4C --0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
*5G --------------------
*6D --------------------
{D} {G}
---------------------------------------
--3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3---3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3--
--2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2--
--0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
---------------------------------------
--3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3---3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3--
--2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2--
--0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
---------------------------------------
--3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3---3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3--
--2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2--
--0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
---------------------------------------
--3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3---3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3--
--2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2---2-2-2-2--2-2-2-2--
--0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
(* tempo faster)
{D} {G}
--2----------2------------------0------
--3-----3------------------0-----------
--2---2----2---2--------------0---2----
--0------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
---------------------0h2h3-------------
{D} {G}
--0h2----------2------------------0------
--3-------3------------------0-----------
--2-----2----2---2--------------0---2----
--0--------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------0h2h3-------------
*** please note ***
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
v - vibrato
^ - harmonics
==========================================
"Heroin"
==========================================
album _American Poet_
(Lou Reed, 2001)
Dec 26, 1972
Ultrasonic Recording Studio, Hempstead, NY
==========================================
I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm goin' to try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then I tell you things aren't quite the same
ah-huh
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made a very big decision
I'm goin' to try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me, not you guys
Or all you sweet pretty girls
with all your sweet pretty talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Tell you a diary, junkie's dream, hahaha.. hahaha..
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
I put on a sailor's suit and a cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
Oh, and I guess I just don't know
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
Oh, I really don't care anymore
About all your Jim-Jims in this town
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
oh
Ah, while that heroin is in my blood
And that blood is in my head
Yeah, thank God that I'm good as dead
And thank God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
* all the strings downtuned a whole-tone
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
intro {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- going, But -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- I'm goin' to try for the kingdom if I -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- can, 'Cause it makes me feel like ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- vein, Then I tell you things aren't ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (When I'm rushing on my run ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (And I guess I just don't know ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
....
* riff (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
{D} {G}
*1d --2...---------------0...----------------
*2A --3...---------------0...----------------
*3F --2...---------------0...----------------
*4C --0...---------------0...----------------
*5G ---------------------2...----------------
*6D ---------------------3...----------------
note: play "G6" chord on slow part.
and continue "D" chord on fast part
==================================================
"Heroin"
(The Matrix, San Francisco, 11-23-69)
==================================================
box set _Bootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine Tapes_
(The Velvet Underground, 2001)
Dec 01, 1969
The Matrix, San Francisco, California
==================================================
I don't know where I'm going
And I'm going to try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes my feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then I tell ya things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Now I have made very big decision
And I'm going to try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me, not you guys
Or all your sweet pretty girls
with all your sweet pretty talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
I put on a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, you know that it's my wife, it's my life
'Cause a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
Then I'm better off than dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
Oh, I really don't care anymore
'Bout all your Jim-Jims in this town
And everybody puttin' everybody else down
All the politicians making crazy sounds
All the dead bodies piled up in mounds
Oh, while that heroin is in my blood
Then the blood is in my head, oh
Thank God that I'm good as dead
Thank God that I'm not aware
Thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
* chords:
same as _1969 Velvet Underground Live With Lou Reed_ version
They played using down-tuning
(all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
* intro (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
{D}
*1d --------------------
*2A --------------------
*3F --------------------
*4C --0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
*5G --------------------
*6D --------------------
{D} {G}
--2------------------3-----------------
--3------------------0-----------------
--2------------------0-----------------
--0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
--2------------------3-----------------
--3------------------0-----------------
--2------------------0-----------------
--0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
--2------------------3-----------------
--3------------------0-----------------
--2------------------0-----------------
--0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
--2------------------3-----------------
--3------------------0-----------------
--2------------------0-----------------
--0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0---0-0-0-0--0-0-0-0--
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
--2----------2-------0----------0------
--3-----3--------3---0-----0--------0--
--2---2--------2-----0---0--------0----
--0--------0---------0--------0--------
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
{D} {G}
------2----3-2------------------0------
------3----3-3---3---------0--------0--
----2----------2---------0--------2----
--0--------------------0---------------
---------------------------------------
---------------------3-----------------
{D} {G}
------2----3-2------------------0------
------3----3-3---3---------0--------0--
----2----------2---------0--------2----
--0--------------------0---------------
---------------------------------------
---------------------3-----------------
{D} {G}
------2----3-2------------------0------
------3----3-3---3---------0--------0--
----2----------2---------0--------2---- ...
--0--------------------0---------------
---------------------------------------
---------------------3-----------------
===============================
"Heroin"
===============================
album _Le Bataclan '72_
(Lou Reed/John Cale/Nico, 2003)
Jan 29, 1972
Le Bataclan, Paris, France
===============================
I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm going to try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Oh, I tell you things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I don't know
I decided a couple of things
But I know, but I'm going to try to give my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me, not you guys
Or all you sweet pretty girls
with all your sweet pretty talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
And I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
Put on a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all of the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
Oh, and I guess I just don't know
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
Oh then I really don't care anymore
About all your Jim-Jims in this town
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
And all the politicians making crazy columns
Ah, while that heroin is in my blood
And that blood is in my head
Woh, then thank God that I'm good as dead
And thank God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
* all the strings downtuned one and a half tone (1 + 1/2)
1c# ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from e to c#)
2G# ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from B to G#)
3E ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from G to E)
4B ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from D to B)
5F# ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from A to F#)
6C# ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from E to C#)
Olivier Landemaine's The VU Web Page says:
there is no speed correction
and the whole recording is too slow (6%)
as compared with the French TV broadcast.
intro {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I don't know just where I'm going, But -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- I'm going to try for the kingdom ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (When I put a spike into my vein ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (When I'm rushing on my run ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (And I guess I just don't know ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- know)
....
note: play "G6" chord on slow part.
* G6 chord (1 + 1/2 down)
1c# ---0---
2G# ---0---
3E ---0---
4B ---0---
5F# ---2---
6C# ---3---
===============================================
"Heroin"
===============================================
album _American Poet Box: Lou Reed - Paris '72_
(Lou Reed, 2003)
Jan 25 (?), 1972
Paris, France
(rehearsal)
===============================================
I don't know just where I'm going
I'm going to try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then I tell you things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
I feel just like Jesus' son
I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made very big decision
I'm going to try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me, not you guys
Or all you sweet pretty girls
with all your sweet pretty talk
You can all go take a walk
I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
Put on a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all of the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
About all your Jim-Jims in this town
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
While that heroin is in my blood
And that blood is in my head
Man thank God that I'm good as dead
Thank God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
[skipped]
* chords: same as _Le Bataclan '72_ version
========================
"Heroin"
========================
album _Animal Serenade_
(Lou Reed, 2004)
Jun 24, 2003
The Wiltern, Los Angeles
========================
I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm going to try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then I tell you things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made a very big decision
I'm going to try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me, not you guys
Or all you pretty girls with all your sweet pretty talk
You could all go take a walk
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I'll be your mirror
I'll be your mirror
I, I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I, I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
Put on a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of all of the evils in this town
And of himself and those around
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
Because when the blood begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
About all your Jim-Jims in this town
And everybody putting everybody else down
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
While that heroin is in my blood
And that blood is in my head
Oh oh, thank God that I'm good as dead
Thank your God that I'm not aware
Thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
intro {D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G}
{D}{G}{D}{G} (I don't know just where I'm -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- going)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (But I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- can, 'Cause it makes me feel like ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- vein, Then I tell you things ...)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- run, And I feel just like Jesus' son ...)
{D}{G} (- know, And I guess that I just don't -)
{D}{G}{D}{G} (- know)
....
* chord forms
{D} {G}
1e --2--------3---2-----------------------
2B --3--------3---3-----3-----------------
3G --2--------2---2-----0-----------------
4D --0--------0---0-----0-----------------
5A ---------------------2-----------------
6E ---------------------3-----------------
===================================================
"Heroin"
(acetate version)
===================================================
album _The Velvet Underground and Nico - Unripened_
(The Velvet Underground, 2007)
===================================================
I know just where I'm going
I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can
'Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
Then I tell you things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made big decision
I'm gonna try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
You can't help me, not you guys
Or you girls with your sweet talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess I just don't know
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
In a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
Of the evils of this town
And of himself and those around
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess I just don't know
Heroin, be the death of me
Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
About all the Jim-Jims in this town
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds
And everybody putting everybody else down
Oh, while that heroin is in my blood
And that blood is in my head
Man thank God that I'm good as dead
And thank God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I just don't care
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
* all the strings downtuned one and a half tone (1 + 1/2)
1c# ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from e to c#)
2G# ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from B to G#)
3E ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from G to E)
4B ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from D to B)
5F# ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from A to F#)
6C# ----- * downtuned one and a half tone (from E to C#)
"Heroin" and "Venus In Furs" have different pitch/tuning
from other songs on this album.
*********************************************************************
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thanks: Einar Stenseng (einar@asker.online.no)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's my interpretation of what Lou's singing on the last take
of Heroin on "Peel slowly and see":
I know just where I'm going
I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can
'Cause it makes me feel that I'm a man
When I put the spike into my vein
Then things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing from my run
And I feel like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
I have made a big decision
I'm gonna nullify my life
When the blood begins to flow
When it squirts up the dropper's neck
When the smack goes and hits my blood
When I'm closing in on death
And my head begins to well
And you can't help me, not you girls
All you guys with all your talk
You can all go take a walk
Down the sheets and off the floors
Through the windows with the people's halls
And the cars with the people round
And I love the people of my town
And I guess that I just don't know
Oh, I guess that I just don't know
I wish that I lived a 100 years ago
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
In a sailor's suit and cap
Go away from the big city
Where a man cannot be free
From the evils of this town
Of himself and those around
I wish I traveled all around
But I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
Heroin is gonna be the death of me
Heroin, it's my life and it's my wife
'Cause the mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
With that smack blood starting to flow
When I really don't care no more
About all the Jim-Jims in this town
All the animals making sounds
People selling people a p-p-p-pound
And the politicians and the clowns
And the too-gooders with their frowns
And the dead bodies all piled in mounds
But while the heroin is in my blood
And the blood is in my head
I thank God that I'm good as dead
And thank God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I don't care
I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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thanks: Bruno Chazard (bruno.p.chazard@euronet.be)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I bought the French translation of "Between thought and expression"
and in the lyrics of Heroin,
there's a difference between your version and the one in the book:
Heroin be the death of me
... Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks: Vic Elliott (lucidrecords@msn.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought the following slang terms are more likely
what Lou is singing in Heroin (all versions):
mainers = main line
(from Webster's Collegiate Dictionary,
1995, Random House pub., New York)
"main' line' n. 2. Slang. a readily accessible vein
that can be used for the injection of a narcotic"
Jim-Jims= jim-jams
(also from Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 1995)
"jim-jams n. Slang.
1. extreme nervousness, jitters 2. delirium tremens"
Just ideas, I don't know if your lyrics are confirmed
by some published source or not,
but I have just always thought these to be right.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks: David Burns (dburns2@earthlink.net)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
One thing though, I was reading the lyrics to Heroin,
and some guy is saying that Lou Reed is singing
"jim-jams" instead of "jim-jims" which is not true.
Lou is not using common slang, but making up his own words.
I read in the liner notes some vinyl reissues
and in a book that Lou was creating his own language,
which elevated his work to that of a poet's.
So, jim-jams is not correct at all.
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*********************************************************************
transcribed by Shiroh KOUCHI (wildside@mx21.tiki.ne.jp)
http://ww21.tiki.ne.jp/~wildside/
*********************************************************************