The Original Wrapper
{{Infobox song
| name = The Original Wrapper
| cover = Theoriginalwrapper.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Lou Reed
| album = Mistrial
| released = April 1986{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/681/mode/2up?q=Lou+Reed|page=681|title=The Great Rock Discography}}
| recorded = 1986
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = * Pop rock
| length = 3:37
| label = RCA
| writer = Lou Reed
| producer = * Lou Reed
| prev_title = September Song
| prev_year = 1985
| next_title = No Money Down
| next_year = 1986
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|t1Am45JrwQ4|"The Original Wrapper”}}
}}
}}
"The Original Wrapper" (sometimes written as "The Original Rapper") is a song written and recorded by American rock musician Lou Reed from his fourteenth solo studio album, Mistrial (1986). The title refers to the practice of keeping products in their original packaging. It can also be interpreted as a pun on "rapper," referring to Reed's distinctive vocal style.{{cite web|last1=Bry|first1=Dave|title=Kicking It: Lou Reed's Influence on Rap|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/lou-reed-influence-on-rap-obit|website=Complex|accessdate=19 November 2014}}
Music video
The 1986 music video (directed by Zbigniew Rybczyński){{cite web |last=Patrin |first=Nate |url=http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2009/01/the_popstream_l.php |title=The Popstream: Lou Reed, "Original Rapper" |publisher=Blogs.citypages.com |date=2009-01-30 |accessdate=2013-08-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601210404/http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2009/01/the_popstream_l.php |archivedate=2014-06-01 }} features time-lapse photography of New Yorkers on the street. A trio of men in yellow hazmat suits attempt to package people in "original wrappers" of cardboard. Shots of Reed are interspersed, wearing a fedora and an overabundance of glitter (most likely a reference to Michael Jackson).{{OR|date=March 2025}} Rollerskaters and fireworks are mixed within scenes of the hazmat men capturing men and women. They attempt to capture a Dachshund, but it escapes its box. It was nominated for Best Editing at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=23313 |title=Lou Reed - "The original wrapper" |publisher=mvdbase.com |date= |accessdate=2013-08-29}}
Track listing
- LP 12"
- "The Original Wrapper" (Extended Version)
- "The Original Wrapper" (Remix Single Version)
- "The Original Wrapper" (Dub Version)
- "Video Violence" (Remix Version)
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{discogs master|220862|type=single}}
{{Lou Reed}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Original Wrapper, The}}
Category:Songs written by Lou Reed
Category:Music videos directed by Zbigniew Rybczyński
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