Here She Comes Now
Encyclopedia
"Here She Comes Now" is the fourth track appearing on The Velvet Underground
's second album, White Light/White Heat
, released in 1968. The performance and mix of the song are both simple and traditional, making it somewhat distinct from the other five songs on the album, all of which contain some type of experimental
or avant-garde
element in terms of sound. It is also the album's shortest song at just over two minutes. The song appears in the opening credits of the 2009 film Adventureland
.
"Here She Comes Now" was released as the B-side to the single, "White Light/White Heat
".
to sing (who did indeed sing it on a few occasions during the Exploding Plastic Inevitable
shows), the song was demoed in 1967 by Lou Reed
, Sterling Morrison
and John Cale
. This demo later surfaced on the 1995 box set Peel Slowly and See
. However, by the time White Light/White Heat was recorded, the collaboration between Nico and The Velvet Underground had come to an end. On both the recorded demo and the studio version, lead vocalist Reed sings the lyrics.
Other interpretations are that the song is about Lou Reed's Ostrich guitar. The line "She's made out of wood" and Reed's habit of exclaiming "Here she comes now" before soloing on various live and recorded Velvet Underground songs lend credence to this.
recorded a cover version on their debut "Extended Play" EP. A version is also included on their collection of early demos and experiments, "Methodology : Attic Tapes" .
Nirvana
released a cover version
of the song in 1991 as part of a split single
with The Melvins
(who, in turn, covered "Venus in Furs
", another song by The Velvet Underground). It also appears on the box set With the Lights Out
.
French artist Colleen works a sample of the song's opening notes into the full track, "Your Heart on Your Sleeve," from her 2003 debut album, Everyone Alive Wants Answers
.
Japanese dream pop
band 800 Cherries also covered the song on their 1999 album, "Romantico".
The song was also covered by Galaxie 500
as a bonus track on a mid-90s rerelase of their 1990 album "This is Our Music" (it was the b-side to the album's single "Fourth of July").
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
's second album, White Light/White Heat
White Light/White Heat
The album briefly appeared on the Billboard 200, although only peaking at number 199. Despite its poor sales, the distorted, feedback-driven, and roughly recorded sound on White Light/White Heat became a notable influence on punk and experimental rock...
, released in 1968. The performance and mix of the song are both simple and traditional, making it somewhat distinct from the other five songs on the album, all of which contain some type of experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
or avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
element in terms of sound. It is also the album's shortest song at just over two minutes. The song appears in the opening credits of the 2009 film Adventureland
Adventureland (film)
Adventureland is a 2009 Retro comedy-drama film written and directed by Greg Mottola. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Margarita Levieva, Ryan Reynolds, Martin Starr, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig.-Plot:...
.
"Here She Comes Now" was released as the B-side to the single, "White Light/White Heat
White Light/White Heat (song)
"White Light/White Heat" is a song by American avant-garde rock band The Velvet Underground, the title track on their second album, released in 1968. It is a fast, relatively aggressive start to the album, similar to the punk rock genre it would ultimately influence.The song's vocals are performed...
".
Background
Originally intended for NicoNico
Nico was a German singer, lyricist, composer, musician, fashion model, and actress, who initially rose to fame as a Warhol Superstar in the 1960s...
to sing (who did indeed sing it on a few occasions during the Exploding Plastic Inevitable
Exploding Plastic Inevitable
The Exploding Plastic Inevitable, sometimes simply called Plastic Inevitable or EPI, was a series of multimedia events organized by Andy Warhol between 1966 and 1967, featuring musical performances by The Velvet Underground and Nico, screenings of Warhol's films, and dancing and performances by...
shows), the song was demoed in 1967 by Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, Sterling Morrison
Sterling Morrison
Holmes Sterling Morrison, Jr. was one of the founding members of the rock group The Velvet Underground, usually playing electric guitar, occasionally bass guitar, and singing backing vocals.-Biography:...
and John Cale
John Cale
John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....
. This demo later surfaced on the 1995 box set Peel Slowly and See
Peel Slowly and See
Peel Slowly and See is a five-disc box set of material by The Velvet Underground. It was released in September 1995 by Polydor.-Compilation:...
. However, by the time White Light/White Heat was recorded, the collaboration between Nico and The Velvet Underground had come to an end. On both the recorded demo and the studio version, lead vocalist Reed sings the lyrics.
Lyrics
As the song is lyrically ambiguous, many people have speculated as to its meanings. The authors of the Velvet Underground biography Up-Tight called it a "seven-line thesis on the possibility that a girl might come". The lyrics to the song's original demo, which contain two extra verses, are even more mystifying.Other interpretations are that the song is about Lou Reed's Ostrich guitar. The line "She's made out of wood" and Reed's habit of exclaiming "Here she comes now" before soloing on various live and recorded Velvet Underground songs lend credence to this.
Recordings
Although known to have been played live, no other recorded versions than the demo and the White Light/White Heat studio version are known to exist.1967 demo personnel
- Lou Reed - vocal, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
- Sterling Morrison - lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
- John Cale - violaViolaThe viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
1967 studio personnel
- Lou Reed - vocal, rhythm guitar
- John Cale - viola, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, piano - Sterling Morrison - lead guitar
- Maureen TuckerMaureen TuckerMaureen Ann "Moe" Tucker is a musician best known for having been the drummer for the rock group The Velvet Underground.- The Velvet Underground :...
- percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
Cover versions
Cabaret VoltaireCabaret Voltaire (band)
Cabaret Voltaire were a British music group from Sheffield, England.Initially composed of Stephen Mallinder, Richard H. Kirk and Chris Watson, the group was named after the Cabaret Voltaire, a nightclub in Zürich, Switzerland that was a centre for the early Dada movement.Their earliest performances...
recorded a cover version on their debut "Extended Play" EP. A version is also included on their collection of early demos and experiments, "Methodology : Attic Tapes" .
Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
released a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the song in 1991 as part of a split single
Split single
Split single may refer to:*Split album, a split album is a music album which includes tracks by two or more separate artists.*split-single, a variant on the two-stroke engine with two cylinders sharing a single combustion chamber....
with The Melvins
The Melvins
The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer and guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members...
(who, in turn, covered "Venus in Furs
Venus in Furs (song)
"Venus in Furs" is a song by The Velvet Underground, written by Lou Reed and originally released on the 1967 album The Velvet Underground & Nico. Inspired by the book of the same name by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, the song includes sexual themes of sadomasochism, bondage and...
", another song by The Velvet Underground). It also appears on the box set With the Lights Out
With the Lights Out
With the Lights Out is a box set, containing three CDs and one DVD, of previously rare or unreleased material, including b-sides, demos, rough rehearsal recordings and live recordings, from the American rock band Nirvana. It was released in November 2004...
.
French artist Colleen works a sample of the song's opening notes into the full track, "Your Heart on Your Sleeve," from her 2003 debut album, Everyone Alive Wants Answers
Everyone Alive Wants Answers
Everyone Alive Wants Answers is an album by Colleen, released in 2003.-Track listing:#"Everyone Alive Wants Answers" – 3:31#"Ritournelle" – 3:09#"Carry-Cot" – 1:53#"Your Heart on Your Sleeve" – 2:46#"Goodbye Sunshine" – 2:48...
.
Japanese dream pop
Dream pop
Dream pop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s, when bands like The Passions, Dif Juz, Lowlife and A.R. Kane began fusing post-punk and ethereal experiments with bittersweet pop melodies into dreamy, sensual soundscapes. The term was almost...
band 800 Cherries also covered the song on their 1999 album, "Romantico".
The song was also covered by Galaxie 500
Galaxie 500
Galaxie 500 was an American alternative rock band that formed in 1987 and split up in 1991 after releasing three albums.-History:Guitarist Dean Wareham, drummer Damon Krukowski and bassist Naomi Yang had met at the Dalton School in New York City in 1981, but began playing together during their time...
as a bonus track on a mid-90s rerelase of their 1990 album "This is Our Music" (it was the b-side to the album's single "Fourth of July").