According to Lou Reed it was Andy Warhol who inspired the song. He said in a Rolling Stone interview in 1989:
“Why don’t you write a song called ‘Vicious. And I said, 'What kind of vicious?’ Oh, you know, vicious like I hit you with a flower.‘ And I wrote it down literally.”
[Verse 1]
Vicious
You hit me with a flower
You do it every hour
Oh, baby, you're so vicious
Vicious
You want me to hit you with a stick
But all I've got's a guitar pick
Heh, baby, you're so vicious
[Chorus]
When I watch you come, baby, I just wanna run, far away
You're not the kind of person 'round I wanna stay
When I see you walking down the street
I step on your hands and I mangle your feet
You're not the kind of person that I want to meet
Oh, babe, you're so vicious
You're just so vicious
[Verse 2]
Vicious
Hey, you hit me with a flower
You do it every hour
Oh, baby, you're so vicious
Vicious
Hey, why don't you swallow razorblades?
You must think that I'm some kind of gay blade
But, baby, you're so vicious
[Chorus]
When I see you coming, I just have to run
You're not good and you certainly aren't very much fun
When I see you walking down the street
I step on your hand and I mangle your feet
You're not the kind of person that I even want to meet
'Cause you're so vicious
Baby, you're so vicious
[Outro]
Vicious
Vicious
Vicious
Vicious
Vicious
Vicious
Vicious
Vicious was written by Andy Warhol & Lou Reed.
Vicious was produced by Mick Ronson & David Bowie.