The Best of The Velvet Underground: Words and Music of Lou Reed is a compilation album by The Velvet Underground. It was released in October 1989 by Verve Records.

The Best of The Velvet Underground concludes the mid-1980s re-issue series by Verve Records of their Velvet Underground material (the first three albums plus VU and Another View).

The record tried to capitalise on the new public awareness of Lou Reed, who had issued his critically acclaimed comeback album New York earlier that year. Accordingly, the record contains only songs written by Reed alone.

1. I'm Waiting For The Man

2. Femme Fatale

3. Run Run Run

4. Heroin

5. All Tomorrow's Parties

6. I'll Be Your Mirror

7. White Light/White Heat

8. Stephanie Says

9. What Goes On

10. Beginning To The Light

11. Pale Blue Eyes

12. I Can't Stand It

13. Lisa Says

14. Sweet Jane

15. Rock And Roll

Personnel

The Velvet Underground

John Cale – bass guitar, viola, keyboards, celesta, backing vocals (side one)
Sterling Morrison – guitar, backing vocals, bass guitar on "All Tomorrow's Parties"
Lou Reed – vocals, guitar, piano on "White Light/White Heat"
Maureen Tucker – percussion (except "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll")
Doug Yule – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, drums and lead guitar on "Rock and Roll" (side two)