The Velvet Underground album, released in 1969, is classified as classic rock and roll. This band from the heart of New York represents the transition of counterculture for the decade. The music was not mainstream, but eccentric. Andy Warhol was the music producer for this band, which gave them the artistic freedom he had himself. With Warhol’s influence on the music industry with his highly respected artist persona, they were able to make the music the way they wanted. Doug Yule, lead vocalist of “Candy Says” is about the actress Candy Darling. Candy Darling, a transsexual individual, acted in many Andy Warhol full feature and short films. Reed begins the song “Candy says, ‘I’ve come to hate my body / And all that it requires in this world.'” These lyrics are directly referring to her transition to a woman and the difficulties that come along with it.

In the documentary Beautiful Darling 2010 Candy Documentary, actor Agosto Machado -- on the subject of being a transsexual -- mentions “The times were not easy.” During the 1960s, it was illegal to cross-dress, it was labeled as “female impersonation.” As portrayed in the track “Candy Says”, Darling was fabulous. There were Polaroids of Darling with Andy Warhol and her friends, always dressed like an old movie star with a cigarette in hand. Her close friends described the image she wanted for herself as one that idolized the old movie star, glamour from a time before hers. Her identity was definite, you can see the confidence in herself on her facial expression and in the way she carried herself.

Reed’s lyrics give a personal perspective on Darling’s life one would not see otherwise. They show her insecure side she did not reflect outwards for people to see, something that was separate from her movie star persona. “Candy says, ‘I’d like to know completely / What others so discreetly talk about.” She wants to know what others have to say about her but also what she would see if she stepped away and looked back at herself. Being transsexual was very controversial for her time, as well as ours, and she was fighting herself and everyone else to keep her own identity. The vocalist sings as if he is singing a lullaby, which leaves an eerie yet seductive motif. This possibly could allude to Candy Darling’s personality as well, subdued and sexual. The song is composed as minimal vocals, drums and guitar. Since Darling is anything but subtle, the composition is meant to emphasis her insecurities in opposition to her identity. The Velvet Underground uses their precise lyricism to convey the challenges of being a transsexual in an unaccepting time. This song shows that Reed and band have empathy for their comrade and see the importance of telling her story.

Thinking about The Velvet Underground and their lyricism we can find the inspiration to have empathy to our fellow human beings, no matter their identity. As many has said before me, history will repeat itself. It is time to look back towards the golden rock and roll of our past for answers on how to love each and appreciate each other.