“Sitting down by the fire – the radio does play …”

Those immortal lyrics were written by Lou Reed for his (dare I say) signature song “Sweet Jane” which was of course the second song that really kicked things off on the Velvet Underground’s Loaded album, the legendary group’s swan song (the meaning of “swan song” being handed down from the ancient myth that the European mute swan stays quiet until it’s about to die at which point it breaks out in a glorious song – better late than never) and for me at least their best album. The other most notable claim to being in the rock albums swan song group has to be The Beatles themselves whose Abbey Road – a now acknowledged masterpiece – with my favorite parts being Ringo’s amazing drum fills during The End. For a long time Sergeant Pepper was in the critic’s top spot but I always preferred Rubber Soul and Revolver.

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