Remembering Lou Reed: Top 5 picks
The enigmatic front man of the Velvet Underground and meteoric solo artist, Lou Reed died at 71 on Sunday. Becoming iconic in the mid-’60s as the voice of new-wave youth, Reed’s death marks the realization that many classic singers are aging. Soon, the world will be without those who gave inspiration to today’s artists.
The best way to honor Reed’s memory is by celebrating some of his best work:
1. “Heroin,” The Velvet Underground & Nico
One of the group’s most recognized songs, “Heroin” fleshed out the vitriolic relationship the burgeoning 1960s beatniks had with their drug of choice.
2. “Some Kinda Love,” The Velvet Underground
Lighthearted and danceable, this was one of Reed’s more underrated songs. Written during the height of his fame, this one is more easily palatable and rhythm-driven.
3. “Sweet Jane,” The Velvet Underground
Funny, coquettish and pure gold.
4. “Pale Blue Eyes,” The Velvet Underground
Beautiful and subtle, this was Reed’s songwriting at its most sore and real.
5. “Perfect Day,” solo album “Transformer”
From his solo album, ironic and macabre, this song is timeless and the piano will break your heart. Hilarious and troubling.
More Stories
Sisters United Muslim Association creates a supportive and empowering environment
Sisterhood, family, happy place and love – these are the words used by Sisters United Muslim Association (SUMA) members to describe what the organization means to them, according to SUMA president Juwayriyya Dayala. When Dayala ended up in the hospital after an accident, the caring nature exhibited by her fellow members confirmed the truth behind […]
Advocating for equality: Student org president wants to see female leadership flourish in community
When noticing a lack of representation in leadership positions, Sisters Inspiring Success President Patricia Brutus said it only motivates her to continue pushing for change. “When you don’t see people who look like you in leadership roles, that can be discouraging for some people,” she said. “But for me, it’s a motivation to make that […]
Risa Slepikas: Meet Rocky the Bull’s manager
Getting a chance to work alongside the school’s football team can be an exciting opportunity for college students, but for sophomore Risa Slepikas, her job is much different than the rest. Landing an internship with USF Athletics her freshman year, Slepikas’ job focuses on managing South Florida’s mascot, Rocky the Bull. As his manager, her […]
Advocating for equality: Biomedical engineering professor shares experience on challenging gender inequality in STEM
Questions her 7-year-old daughter had begun to ask since recognizing inequalities toward women in society have inspired assistant biomedical engineering professor Olukemi Akintewe through her journey in chemical and biomedical engineering as both a professor and an advocate for women and underrepresented students in STEM. Through her experience with gender inequality gaps, Akintewe said she was […]
Changing the community: Folashade Adenuga continues family legacy while leading organization for Black engineers
Pursuing a chemical engineering major was an easy decision for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) President Folashade Adenuga to make as she left Nigeria in the midst of COVID-19 to attend USF. Adenuga was just 1 year old when her family moved to Lagos, Nigeria. During her years spent there, she cherished the […]
Changing the community: Special collections director brings forgotten history to students
Finding a lost piece of Florida history is just another day on the job for Director of Special Collections Tomaro Taylor. “Our Collection Coordinator Sidney Jordan identified three historic Black newspapers that were either Tampa or Florida based,” she said. “They were the Black Journal, the newspaper for Black Professionals, the Florida Courier, which was […]