The song was written by Lou Reed and Sterling Morrison of the Velvet Underground,[2] whom Nico had collaborated with for their debut album the previous year.
The film was an experimental reality movie that focused on the various residents of the Hotel Chelsea during Warhol's Factory days.
Many of them were Bohemian artists, drop outs, and drug addicts, which is also described in the lyrics of the song, and also referred to are turning tricks, heroin, S&M, amphetamine and silver foil.
Running at just under seven and a half minutes long, "Chelsea Girls" is similar in style to a ballad, telling the stories of various residents at the hotel.
[4] Japanese actress/singer Miki Nakatani covered the song as the B-side of her 2001 single "Air Pocket", produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto.