Jonathan Richman - Velvet Underground Lyrics

They were wild like the USA
A mystery band in a New York way
Rock and roll but not like the rest
And to me, America at it's best
How in the world were they making that sound
Velvet Underground

A spooky tone on a Fender bass
Played less notes and left more space
Stayed kind of still, looked kinda shy
Kinda far away, kinda dignified
How in the world were they making that sound
Velvet Underground

Now you can look at that band and wonder
Where all that sound was coming from
With just four people there

Twangy sounds of the cheapest types
Sounds as stark as black and white stripes
Bold and brash, sharp and rude
Like the heats turned off and you're low on food
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground
Like this

Wild, wild parties when they start to unwind
A close encounter of the thirdest kind
On the bandstand playing, everybody's saying
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground

Well you could look at that band
And at first sight
Say that certain rules about modern music
Wouldn't apply tonight

Twangy sounds of the cheapest kind
Like 'Guitar Sale $29.99'
Bold and brash, stark and still
Like the heats turned off and you can't pay the bill
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground

Both guitars got the fuzz tone on
The drummer's standing upright pounding along
A howl, a tone, a feedback whine
Biker boys meet the college kind
How in the world were they making that sound?
Velvet Underground

Wild, wild parties when they start to unwind
A close encounter of the thirdest kind
On the bandstand grooving, everybody moving
How in the world are they making that sound?
Velvet Underground