Lou Reed

Transformer

First released1972

Transformer was recorded at RCA Studios in New York and produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson in 1972. The album featured the hit single "Walk on the Wild Side," which became Lou Reed's most commercially successful song, notable for its distinctive bass line by Herbie Flowers and Reed's deadpan vocal delivery. Bowie and Ronson brought a glam rock sensibility to Reed's songwriting, moving away from his Velvet Underground sound toward more accessible pop-rock arrangements. The production emphasized strong hooks, orchestral arrangements, and polished production values that contrasted with the rawer aesthetic of Reed's previous work. The album was recorded during a pivotal moment when both Reed and Bowie were collaborating closely, with Ronson's arrangements significantly shaping the album's sonic character.