Transformer
by Lou Reed
- Type: Album
- Released: November 8, 1972
- Label: RCA Victor
- Country: United States
- Length: 36:47
- Community rating: 4.36/5 from 19 ratings
Album Notes & Community Reviews
'Transformer' merges Lou Reed's characteristic lyrical focus on New York's subcultures—exploring topics of sexual orientation, gender identity, and drug use—with a commercially accessible glam rock sound. Co-produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, the album features Ronson's rich arrangements and Bowie's pop-influenced sensibilities, which recast older Velvet Underground-era compositions and new material into polished forms. This juxtaposition of gritty subject matter with sophisticated production, epitomized by the hit single "Walk on the Wild Side," secured Reed's international stardom and defined a landmark moment in the genre.
Genres
Descriptors: theatrical, literary, androgynous-vocals, witty, hedonism
Tracklist
- Vicious (02:56)
- Andy's Chest (03:18)
- Perfect Day (03:45)
- Hangin' 'Round (03:33)
- Walk On the Wild Side (04:14)
- Make Up (02:58)
- Satellite of Love (03:41)
- Wagon Wheel (03:19)
- New York Telephone Conversation (01:34)
- I'm So Free (03:09)
- Goodnight Ladies (04:20)
Credits
- Lou Reed - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Mick Ronson - lead guitar, piano, backing vocals, recorder, string arrangements, producer
- David Bowie - backing vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar on "Wagon Wheel", “Perfect Day” and "Walk on the Wild Side", producer
- Herbie Flowers - bass guitar, double bass, tuba on "Perfect Day", "Goodnight Ladies" and "Make Up"
- John Halsey - drums
- Trevor Bolder - trumpet
- Ronnie Ross - soprano saxophone on "Goodnight Ladies", baritone saxophone on "Walk on the Wild Side"
- Thunderthighs - backing vocals
- Klaus Voormann - bass guitar on "Perfect Day", "Goodnight Ladies", "Satellite of Love" and "Make Up"
- Barry DeSouza - drums
- Ritchie Dharma - drums
- Ken Scott - engineer