The Original Wrapper

Lou Reed

About The Original Wrapper

"The Original Wrapper" (sometimes written as "The Original Rapper") is a song written and recorded by American musician Lou Reed from his fourteenth solo studio album, Mistrial (1986). The title refers to the practice of keeping products in their original packaging. It can also be interpreted as a pun on "rapper," referring to Reed's distinctive vocal style.


Year:
1992
3:39
148 
#1

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I was sittin' home on the west end
Watchin' cable tv with a female friend
We were watchin' the news, the world's in a mess
The poor and the hungry, a world in distress
Herpes, aids, the middle east at full throttle
Better check that sausage, before you put it in the waffle
And while you're at it, check what's in the batter
Make sure that candy's in the original wrapper

Hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure that candy's in the original wrapper

Reagan says abortion's murder
While he's looking at cardinal o'connor
Look at jerry falwell louis farrakhan
Both talk religion and the brotherhood of man
They both sound like they belong in teheran
Watch out, they're goin' full throttle
Better check that sausage, before you stick it in the waffle
And while you're at it better check, what's in the batter
Make sure that candy's in the original wrapper

Hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure that candy's in the original wrapper

White against white, black against jew
It seems like it's 1942
The baby sits in front of mtv
Watching violent fantasies
While dad guzzles beer with his favorite sport
Only to find his heroes are all coked up
Classic, original, the same old story
The politics of hate in a new surrounding
Hate if it's good and hate if it's bad
And if this all don't make you mad
I'll keep yours and I'll keep mine
Nothing sacred and nothing divine
Father, bless me, we're at full throttle
Better check that sausage, before you put it in the waffle
And while you're at it better check that batter
Make sure the candy's in the original wrapper

Hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure that candy's in the original wrapper, hey, hey

I was born in the united states
And I grew up hard but I grew up straight
I saw a lack of morals and a lack of concern
A feeling that there's nowhere to turn
Yippies, hippies and upwardly mobile yuppies
Don't treat me like I'm some dumb lackey
'cause the murderer lives while the victims die
I'd much rather see it an eye for an eye
A heart for a heart, a brain for a brain
And if this all makes you feel a little insane
Kick up your heels, turn the music up loud
Pick up your guitar and look out at the crowd, and say, -
- "don't mean to come on sanctimonious
But life's got me nervous and little pugnacious
Lugubrious so I give a salutation
And rock on out to beat really stupid
Ohh, poop, ah, doo and how do you do
Hip hop gonna bop till I drop."
Watch out world, comin' at you full throttle
Better check that sausage, before you put it in the waffle
And while you're at it better check that batter
Make sure the candy's in the original wrapper

Hey, hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure the candy's in the original wrapper
Hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure the candy's in the original wrapper, hey, hey, hey

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Lou Reed

Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed (born March 2, 1942) 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 solo career, which has spanned several decades. Though the Velvet Underground were a commercial failure in the late 1960s, the group has gained a considerable cult following in the years since its demise and has gone on to become one of the most widely cited and influential bands of the era. As the Velvet Underground's principal songwriter, Reed wrote about subjects of personal experience that rarely had been examined so openly in rock and roll, including sexuality and drug culture. more »

5 fans

Written by: LEWIS ALLEN REED, LOU REED

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Artist Recognition
"The Original Wrapper" is a song written and performed by Lou Reed, an influential American musician, songwriter and record producer renowned for his distinctive storytelling and poetic style.
Album Placement
The song is from Lou Reed's fifteenth studio album, "Mistrial", released in June 1986. The album overall received a mixed response, and it marked the end of Reed's recording contract with the RCA label.
Single Success
"The Original Wrapper" was one of the singles released from the album, and it reached number 31 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in America.
Genre Classification
The song is an example of Reed's experiment with Drum programming and stands out for its fusion of rock and hip-hop.
Video Details
The music video for "The Original Wrapper" is a unique piece of 80s nostalgia that features Reed rapping lyrics in a variety of settings including a supermarket and a party.
Controversy
The song caused some controversy, as some critics have seen it as Reed's attempt to cash in on the rap trend emerging into the mainstream during the 80s.
Distinctive Features
Unlike most of Reed's previous work, it features spoken word verses that emulate the style of rap, which was an emerging music genre at the time.
Critical Reception
While some critics and fans found the song's lyrics light-hearted and refreshing, others considered it to be one of Reed's weakest efforts. Despite mixed reviews, "The Original Wrapper" remains a noteworthy track in Reed’s discography.
Song Theme
The song is about the variety of people Reed encounters around New York, and it’s filled with humourous observations about 1980s American life.
Pop Culture Reference
The title is a pun referring to Reed as a 'rapper', playing off the fact that Reed was one of the first artists to use a form of spoken word in his music in the 60s and 70s, making him an 'original wrapper.'
Performance
In live performances, Reed embellished the rapped verses of “The Original Wrapper” with additional freestyle lyrics.

Discuss the The Original Wrapper Lyrics with the community:

1 Comment
  • Bent Larsen
    Bent Larsen
    Groooooovy
    LikeReply7 years ago

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