Album: The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

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• I'm waiting for my man
  Twenty-six dollars in my hand
  Up to Lexington, one, two, five
  Feel sick and dirty, more dead than alive
  I'm waiting for my man
  
  Hey, white boy, what you doin' uptown?
  Hey, white boy, you chasin' our women around?
  Oh pardon me sir, it's the furthest from my mind
  I'm just lookin' for a dear, dear friend of mine
  I'm waiting for my man
  
  Here he comes, he's all dressed in black
  Beat up shoes and a big straw hat
  He's never early, he's always late
  First thing you learn is that you always gotta wait
  I'm waiting for my man, ah work it now
  
  Up to a brownstone, up three flights of stairs
  Everybody body's pinned you, but nobody cares
  He's got the works, gives you sweet taste
  Ah then you gotta split because you got no time to waste
  I'm waiting for my man
  
  Baby don't you holler, darlin' don't you bawl and shout
  I'm feeling good, you know I'm gonna work it on out
  I'm feeling good, I feel oh so fine
  Until tomorrow, but that's just some other time
  I'm waiting for my man, walk it home Writer/s: Lou Reed
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 20

• Blindintx from HoustonJust wanted to ask 3 in what universe has heroin ever cost 13 dollars a gram ? Maybe a quarter, but not a g
• J from VermontThe street price of heroin in the late 60's was $13 a gram, hence the $26... he was buying two.
• Hugh from Phoenix, AzOne of the earliest punk songs, in my opinion. I don't think the influence of this song on many future artists can be overstated.
• Derek from Pittsburgh, PaMake sure to check out the live versions of the song, which can be found on Bataclan 72 (1), The Bootleg Series (2), the Springfield Concert (1), 1969: Live (1), and La Cave 1968 (1). The best one is definitely on 1969: Live though (followed closely by the one on Disc 1 of the Bootleg Series).
• Kimberly from Pomona, CaCraig pointed out about the drum beat mimicking the anxiousness of a junkie waiting for a fix - well as an ex-junkie I always marveled at the genius of this song to put that feeling to music so accurately.
• J from Nyc, NyOh, and this song kicks ass! orangebreaker, just to clarify, no one in the 1960's or 70's (or ever) would be going to 125&Lex to "shake" a habit, only to feed one.
• J from Nyc, NyQuick Manhattan Geography lesson: Harlem is part of Manhattan, yes, Uptown, but still Manhattan; the general border is also 96th St (varies a little on a few avenues).
• David from St. Louis, NeLexington and 125th Street is in Harlem, not Manhattan. Anything above 110th Street is considered Harlem, AKA "Uptown"
• Cameron from Irvine, CaWhen I first heard this song, the number 26 kept coming up everywhere I went for about a month.
• Jacob from Waterford, Cton the album, Live at Max's Kansas City, Lou Reed introduces the song with the statement, "its a song about love between man and subway." not really sure considering its blatantly about heroin. he also said in an interview that the whole song was true, except for the small price of the heroin ($26). haha
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI agree. The guitar on this is great.
• Erik from Bloomfield Hills, MiActually, orangebreaker, the "up to Lexington, one two five" lyric refers to a street corner in Manhattan, Lexington & 125th street.
• Steve from Fenton, MoA great performance of a great song. Lou Reed hit his peak early on with this song...
• Cameron from Irvine, CaThe guitar on this song rules.
• Orangebeaker from Edinburgh, Scotland"up to lexington, one two five, feel sick and dirty - more dead than alive" Lexington was ostensibly a place where heroin addicts could go to shake a habit.
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScThat's funy that David Bowie covered it. Well... maybe it's not that odd. Isn't it funny though, that it was covered in 1972, and "Walk On The Wild Side" was released the same year, on an album that was produced by David Bowie? I wonder if those two particular events have any connection.
• Frank from Mars, MeAllegedly was the inspiration for the Jonathan Richman's 'I'm Straight'
  
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, Sci know it was about a drug dealer. Listen to the song and you'll know why it's about one.
• Craig from Madison, WiMoe Tucker's insistent and persistent drum beat may seem redundant and minimalistic mimics the anxious slapping of thighs a junkie does while waiting for a fix (or anyone does when they are very impatient or have to go to the bathroom). Next time you hear the song, play along on your thighs. It makes you feel nervous. For added effect clench your eyes shut and rock back and forth while humming the song under your breath.
• Kris from Toronto, CanadaBowie's version was first on the soundtrack to his own movie "Ziggy Stardust the Motion Picture"

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