"Songs for Drella" is a concept album by Lou Reed and John Cale, released in 1990, dedicated to the memory of Andy Warhol (whose nickname was 'Drella', a blend of 'Dracula' and 'Cinderella'). Warhol, mentor and collaborator of both in The Velvet Underground, died in 1987 after routine surgery. The album was created as a tribute and a catharsis for Reed and Cale, who had a complicated relationship with Warhol.
The recording took place at Sigma Sound Studios in New York City in February and March 1989. Reed and Cale produced the album themselves, without additional musicians. The sound is minimalist, with Reed on guitars and vocals, and Cale on piano, viola, and vocals. The songs narrate Warhol's life from his childhood in Pittsburgh to his rise in pop art, his attempted murder by Valerie Solanas in 1968, and his death.
The album was positively received by critics, highlighting its intimacy and emotional honesty. It reached number 103 on the Billboard 200 chart. Although initially a one-off project, Reed and Cale reconciled during its creation, leading to a brief reunion of The Velvet Underground in 1993. "Songs for Drella" is considered a highlight in both artists' careers.