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This is my cover of another Velvet Underground song, written by Lou Reed. It first appeared on VU's third (eponymously titled) album in 1969. At the time, they were veering slightly more mainstream in sound, going more folk rock and less noisy avant-garde than their first 2 albums. "What Goes On" was issued as a single with the B-side "Jesus" (which I've done live; same was covered famously by The 77s).

Reed once said, "If God showed up tomorrow and asked me, 'Do you want to be president?' I’d say, 'No.' 'Do you want to be in politics?' 'No.' 'Do you want to be a lawyer?' 'No.' 'What do you want?' 'I want to be a rhythm guitar player.'" Anyone who’s heard Reed play the song "What Goes On” would affirm this. His manic, solid-perfect guitar is the backbone of the 1969 studio recording, as he sounds happy to be alive, singing, "Lady be good/Do what you should/It's gonna be all right.”

The hypnotic VU original had a trance-y organ, and in concert they’d stretch it to 9-minute otherworldly rumbles. I added this song to my own live set in 2010. My arrangement dials up a power pop-guitar feel of the tune, taking it into a “glam grunge bubblegum” zone…like The Hollies merged with The Posies.

lyrics

Copyright 1969 UMG / Sony ATV Music BMI. Licensed and used by permission.

credits

from I LIKE THE STREET, released November 23, 2020
JJB: bass, guitars, production, all vocals
Scott Francis: mixing
Keith Kavanaugh: drums
Lou Reed: songwriting

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Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

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