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Lou Reed Montauk Studio 2002 Photo by Julian Schnabel

New Lou Reed archive series announced with 1965 demo version of "I'm Waiting for the Man"

06 June 2022, 13:13 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

Light in the Attic Records and Laurie Anderson have confirmed a new Lou Reed archive series with the first release Words & Music, May 1965, and have shared the previously unreleased 1965 demo version of "I'm Waiting for the Man" to accompany the news.

"I'm Waiting for the Man - May 1965 Demo" is the first outing from Words & Music, May 1965, which will be the inaugural title from the new Lou Reed archive series.

Words & Music, May 1965 will be released to coincide with what would've been Reed's 80th birthday year, and is made up of a collection of previously unreleased recordings that a young Reed recorded to tape with help from John Cale. Reed mailed the recordings to himself to secure the copyright without filing official paperwork, and it remained sealed for nearly half a century.

As well as featuring the earliest known recording of "I'm Waiting for the Man", Words & Music, May 1965 alsoo features the earliest recordings of classic Velvet Underground songs "Heroin" and "Pale Blue Eyes". The demo version of "Heroin" features some slightly different lyrics, while "Pale Blue Eyes" was nearly completely rewritten, with only the first verse remaining intact.

Words & Music, May 1965 will be released on 26 August, and is available to pre-order now.
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