“The Original Wrapper” – Single by Lou Reed from the album Mistrial
Released: April 1986
Songwriter: Lou Reed
Producers: Lou Reed and Fernando Saunders.
“The Original Wrapper” (sometimes written as “The Original Rapper”) is a song written and recorded by American rock musician Lou Reed from his fourteenth solo studio album, Mistrial (1986). The title refers to the practice of keeping products in their original packaging. It can also be interpreted as a pun on “rapper,” referring to Reed’s distinctive vocal style.
The 1986 music video (directed by Zbigniew Rybczyński) features time-lapse photography of New Yorkers on the street. A trio of men in yellow hazmat suits attempt to package people in “original wrappers” of cardboard. Shots of Reed are interspersed, wearing a fedora and an overabundance of glitter (most likely a reference to Michael Jackson). Rollerskaters and fireworks are mixed within scenes of the hazmat men capturing men and women. They attempt to capture a Dachshund, but it escapes its box. It was nominated for Best Editing at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards.
Music video by Lou Reed performing The Original Wrapper. (C) 1986 RCA Records a division of Sony Music Entertainment
