Artist: The Velvet Underground
Album: Squeeze
Label: Polydor
Released: February 1973 (UK & US)
UK Top 100 Albums: Not even close!
US Billboard 200: Are you having a laugh? My sides ache!
Produced: Doug Yule
File Under: Final studio album from the legendary band, though by this point, none of the original members remained.
🎧 Listening Status
Started playing out of curiosity being a massive fan of their first two album in particular. Ended up loving this record.
🔎 Background
By 1973, The Velvet Underground was effectively finished. Squeeze, their fifth and final album, was really a Doug Yule solo project, released under the VU name as a cash grab by manager Steve Sesnick.
The album was quickly forgotten, though I never buy into the ‘album in name only’ criticism. It was a solid album, just released to an uninterested audience.
Let’s take a spin.
▶️ Track by Track
1. Little Jack
That intro is ridiculously cool! It almost sounds like “Pinball Wizard” by The Who, but Doug Yule’s own twangy guitar brings a fresh vibe. The Californian feel with its sunshine and highway imagery is spot on. I could imagine myself in an open top Cadillac driving a long and lonely highway, cigarette draped out of mouth. Not the cig, since I quit two years ago!
Got to mention the backing vocals! Uncredited but fantastic. I’d love to buy those singers a drink for making this track pop. A very strong opener.
2. Crash
This one has a classic Velvet Underground feel, complete with a wonderful piano and quirky lyric. If Lou Reed had sung it, it would have fitted right in on Loaded.
The abrupt cymbal crash at the end is pure VU charm. Clocking in at just over a minute, it’s a blink and you miss it charm of delight!
3. Caroline
Straightforward rock with a touch of boogie-woogie. If Lou Reed had written this, it might have been considered a Velvet classic. Extra points for the fantastic La La’s right in the middle before a short but punchy guitar solo. Which twangs tremendous!
Fantastic harmonies and clever key changes make this a standout, even if it didn’t get the recognition it deserved. One of those songs which spreads a smile on my face. There’s quite a few on this album which do this.
4. Mean Old Man
This is one serious Velvets intro! Classic riff. Got the love the fusion of Yule and those unnamed backing vocalists. Who’ve just earned themselves a second The Listening Log drink! Takes toe-tapping to new extremities!
A superb track with a brilliant key change, excellent harmonies, and twangy guitars. This could’ve been a hit but was unfortunately overlooked because of the ‘VU’ name attached to it. Forget the baggage—this is a cracking tune!
5. Dopey Joe
A funky, driving bass intro and horns that arrive out of nowhere give this track a feel reminiscent of Exile on Main St. It’s playful and unashamedly simple, but that’s what makes it work.
The album just works so will. The horns honk. Yes, you could imagine Jagger and Richards stamping their authority on this. Yule is a little more simplistic in approach. Oh, look whose back, another drink for the ladies! They’re going to be a little squiffy soon! Bloody marvellous!
6. Wordless
A jaunty little tune with a subtle key change that shows off Yule’s skills as a songwriter. It’s a bit bonkers, but that’s part of the charm of Squeeze—it’s full of unexpected delights.
This one is a little mellower but is still strong. This record gets better and better each listen.
7. She’ll Make You Cry
A solid hit in the making. A catchy, easy-to-love tune that could’ve been a radio staple, had it not been buried under the weight of the VU name. The harmonies are lower in the mix, which is a clever move for a potential single.
This could easily have troubled the charts and is one of the most commercial things I’ve heard under The Velvet Underground name. I suppose most will argue this is not really a Velvet Underground album in the first place. Forget the tags and enjoy the music!
8. Friends
This one feels like something from the classic lineup, with strong melodies and some VU trademarks, like the use of piano and backing vocals. It’s a lovely song that would’ve felt right at home on any of their earlier albums.
If Mo Tucker had been present at the sessions, you could imagine her taking a rare vocal lead. This was made for her voice but nothing wrong with the Yule vocal. Nice and soothing after the madness of the last few tunes. More excellent backing harmonies… no ladies, you’ve had enough!
9. Send Me No Letter
I love the way a lot of these songs just kick in! The guitars crank up, and a saxophone casually strolls in, adding a surprising depth to the track. That’ll be the mysterious Malcolm blowing the sax. Nobody seems to know who he is!
And just before Malc does his thing, some quite mind-blowing backing vocals from the unknown ladies. It’s more commercial than classic VU, but it’s still a strong tune with plenty of potential. This could have been a hit!!!
10. Jack and Jill
Blues-rock territory here, with loud twangs and sax popping in sporadically. It’s toe-tapping stuff, with clever bits that make it stand out.
Deffo one of the weaker tracks but still pleasing on the ears.
11. Louise
And now for the finale! The only song longer than three and a half minutes. Very jaunty. Does reek of album track but that doesn’t make it bad. Quite the opposite. Poor Louise cannot dance the ‘hoochy coo’ anymore, bless her. Nope, not a clue what he’s on about either!
A quirky, upbeat track about a woman growing older, with a touch of Beach Boys harmonies and a surprising harpsichord cameo that takes things to a weird, wonderful place.
It’s a perfect, bonkers way to end the album.
Final Thoughts
No, Squeeze isn’t White Light/White Heat or The Velvet Underground & Nico, but it deserves more credit than it gets. It’s a solid, sometimes brilliant record, and while it may not belong in the official VU back catalogue, it’s still worth a listen. As George Michael said, “Listen without prejudice.”
Some critical reappraisals have given the album a little more credit. But, given the VU tag, it’s always going to be a tall order to be fully recognized as the classic it is.
🎸 Sleeve Notes
1️⃣ Mo Tucker
Mo Tucker was scheduled to drum, but she was either a) too expensive (said Steve Sesnick) or b) too much trouble (said Doug Yule).
Instead, Deep Purple’s Ian Paice thumped the drums.
2️⃣ Who Is Malcolm The Saxophonist?
The saxophone was played by someone simply known as Malcolm, which I find delightful. How very Velvet Underground!
No idea who he is but we here at The Listening Log hope he’s alive and well!
3️⃣ Name That Band!
Squeeze, the new wave band from the UK, named themselves after the album.
The Listening Log 
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