"Stephanie Says" is a song by American band the Velvet Underground, originally recorded in 1968. Although available on various bootlegs, the song was not released officially until 1985 when a remixed version appeared on the album VU, and subsequently on the 1995 box set Peel Slowly and See. The original 1968 mix of "Stephanie Says" was included on the 2005 Velvet Underground compilation album Gold.

"Stephanie Says"
Song by the Velvet Underground
from the album VU
ReleasedFebruary 1985
RecordedFebruary 13–14, 1968[1]
StudioA&R, New York[1]
GenreBaroque pop
Length2:50[2]
LabelVerve
Songwriter(s)Lou Reed
Producer(s)Val Valentin[1]

Lou Reed rewrote the lyrics and renamed it "Caroline Says (II)" for his 1973 solo album Berlin. While vastly different in tone, it retained the refrain "It's so cold in Alaska".

Reception

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Spin said the Velvet Underground version was, "Virtually a direct referral to the first album. Both the melody and the function — another bittersweet homage to the negative girls of fashionable Manhattan —steers it awfully close to "All Tomorrow's Parties II"."[3]

Cover versions

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Richie Unterberger (June 1, 2009). White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground Day-By-Day. Jawbone Press. p. 182. ISBN 978-1-906002-22-0.
  2. ^ "Stephanie Says" at AllMusic
  3. ^ Rudy Langlais (May 1985). "Spins". Spin. No. 1. p. 28.
  4. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (9.1. '97 –15.1. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 10, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  5. ^ "Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1998. p. 25. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  6. ^ "Why did you have Alaska choose the name 'Alaska'... - LFA Questions Answered".