Burning The Ground Exclusive 1986
“The Original Wrapper” is a song by Lou Reed from his 1986 album “Mistrial”. The track is notable for its blend of rock and rap, with Reed delivering the lyrics in a style resembling spoken word or rap. The song’s title is a play on words, referencing the concept of being “original” while also sounding like “rapper.”
Lyrically, the song reflects Reed’s signature wit and social commentary, touching on consumer culture and staying true to oneself amid external pressures. Though not one of his biggest hits, “The Original Wrapper” stands out for its experimentation with different genres and its commentary on authenticity.
The song’s video was also in heavy rotation on MTV, showing Reed’s continuing influence on the 80s music scene. It was nominated for Best Editing at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards.
The B-side
“Video Violence” reflects Reed’s criticism of the media and how television was becoming a pervasive and negative influence in society.
The song touches on themes of desensitization to violence and how the media can exploit human suffering for entertainment. Its tone and subject matter resonate with Reed’s overall interest in examining the darker sides of modern culture.
SIDE A:
The Original Wrapper (Extended Version) 7:55
The Original Wrapper (Remix Single Version) 4:46
Mixed By – Bruce Lampcov
Remix – Fernando Saunders, Larry Alexander, Lou Reed
SIDE B:
The Original Wrapper (Dub Version) 6:24
Mixed By – Bruce Lampcov
Remix – Fernando Saunders, Larry Alexander, Lou Reed
Video Violence (Remix Version) 4:45
Mixed By – Bruce Lampcov
Remix – Fernando Saunders, Lou Reed, Neil Dorfsman
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RCA Victor – PW 14427
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
Style: Breakbeat, Hip Hop
CREDITS:
- Producer – Fernando Saunders
NOTES:
Original Version on the LP Mistrial
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Hi Paul, I was a bit late for this one, but thank you so much for making this transfer. It is so nice to hear the proper mix to this Lou Reed track, the album version never sounded quite right. 🙂
I’ve loved Lou Reed’s sound and attitude since I first heard Rock & Roll Animal. Thank you, PaulT!
OMG, so happy to see this one pop up! It’s such a weird side loop of Lou’s career – kind of like how Neil Young did ‘Trans’ in the 80s … both oddly embracing the musical styles of the day, and that somehow still sound good today. Thanks a TON for this one – and have a great weekend!
Much appreciated, awesome post!!
I love the MTV era of Lou Reed with New Sensations, Mistrial and the PSA of him telling us to stay off drugs which was right up there with Wendy O. Williams telling us to have safe sex. Lou tearing his prosthetic face in the No Money Down video showed he was still cutting edge and reportedly traumatized a few kids in the process.
Thanks for this title from the last decent album by Lou Reed. Someone said that since Sally Can’t Dance his songs were caricatures of his previous songs. I don’t agree with this, i’d rather say that since New York his songs became dreadful, talentless, and extremely pretentious caricatures of his earlier songs…
And by the way, Video Violence is also from Mistrial, not New Sensations (his last good album).
Thank you for the heads up on my info I have corrected it.
This is certainly catchy! I think this must have passed under my radar at the time. To me it really feels like an update of Walk On The Wild Side for the 80s. One of rock’s greatest poets, the lyrics seem almost prescient. Thank you Paul!!
You’re welcome, Retro Hound you are right it does seem like an update to the classic “Walk On The Wild Side”. Thank you for pointing that out 🙂
How I somehow missed this song I’ll never know.
It was his last album for RCA, Mistrial, two years before he went to Sire Records and released the acclaimed LP New York. In 1989 I promoted the single “Dirty Blvd.” to the video shows when I worked p/t for a music video marketing firm.
Here’s the award-winning vidclip:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Am45JrwQ4
This one is a guilty pleasure for me. I heard it called the career killer for Lou in the ’80s, at least until his New York album came along. I love it however, and this version is so much better than the album version imo
I agree the versions here are better than the LP version. Thank you for your comment.
This is quite contagious, Paul!! I don’t know much about, Lou Reed’s back catalog, save for “Walk on The Wild Side,” so this was a complete surprise for me. Great beats and production, so I can’t wait to check out the other versions here. This, in a way, is great for Halloween, as one should check on their candies while trick or treating <LOL>. Mr. Reed certainly captured the musical culture at the time. The video was wonderful too! Thanks again, DjPaulT!!!!
Jeff
I hope you enjoy this one, Jeff. The lyrics are fitting for today’s world.