“Rock & roll” is one of my all-time favorite Velvet Underground songs. It’s about Lou Reed’s rabid love for music. Something I’ve always identified with. That borderline ridiculous attraction to music—more than film, books or any other creative expression. This was the b-side to “Sweet Jane”, which is a spectacular song in itself. But I think those two songs could’ve easily swapped sides with each other without anyone blinking an eye.

“There was nothin' goin' down at all, not at all. Then one fine morning, she puts on a New York station. You know, she don't believe what she heard at all. She started shaking to that fine, fine music. You know, her life was saved by rock and roll.”