In a footnote to the lyrics, Lou Reed wrote: "The idea here was to string words together for the sheer fun of their sound, not any particular meaning.
"[3] According to Cale, Sterling Morrison refused to play bass on the song because he disliked having to play it on "Venus in Furs",[4] hence, Cale overdubbed the bassline while Morrison stuck to his usual guitar.
[6] The song was recorded in April 1966 at Scepter Studios in Manhattan.
The music is dominated by the piercing sound of John Cale's electric viola, creating dissonance throughout the song.
Also throughout the song are loud bursts of audio feedback, primarily from Cale hissing into the microphone.