Here’s a strange piece of news. Remember how Lou Reed denied permission for Susan Boyle to sing Perfect Day on America’s Got Talent, essentially causing her to cancel her performance because she hadn’t prepared a different song? Well Lou has made it up to Susan, by allowing her to cover Perfect Day on her upcoming album and by directing the music video for it – her first! Susan’s Perfect Day video was shot in her native Scotland, and Reed explains that it was his idea to highlight the country’s beautiful landscape. The result is pretty haunting when you view the video coupled with Susan’s angelic version of Reed’s classic (above, and a higher quality version is available for US users on Popeater). Here’s more, from Popeater:

Reed’s 1972 classic ‘Perfect Day’ — one of the tracks featured on her new album, ‘The Gift,’ in stores November 9.

Directed by Reed himself, the video was a way of showing support for the Scottish siren after his not-so-favorable reaction over her version of his trademark track in September. Reed says of the project, “I wanted to create a beautiful and intimate piece shot in Susan’s native Scotland and she quickly agreed.” And that’s just what he did. Expect sweeping shots of lush forests and gorgeous sunrises.

Boyle’s second album, ‘The Gift,’ is a seasonal collection of songs including Christmas classics like ‘The First Noel’ and ‘O Holy Night’.’ Boyle herself says the music is meant to “touch hearts.” “Music has always been a companion to me, particularly on special occaisons” Boyle explains. “I wanted there to be a mix of songs that would flow with all our moods this holiday season. As much as the season is a time for reflection, it is also a time for fun and enjoyment with those closest to us.”

[From Popeater]

I give Reed credit for reneging and working with Susan, but you also have to consider the serious amounts of money involved. Boyle’s last album was the 2nd highest seller in 2009, barely getting edged out by Taylor Swift. Her new CD, The Gift, is currently number one on the Amazon music charts. (It just came out on iTunes today in the US so it’s not charting yet.) Reed created a beautiful tribute to Boyle’s music and her gentle personality with this majestic video, but he had some powerful motivation too. He seems to understand that you “reap what you sow” when it comes to working with a talented successful lady like Susan.

Susan Boyle is shown on 10/9/10, credit: Barcroft/Fame Pictures. Lou Reed is shown on 10/7 and 10/5. Credit: WENN.com

I didn’t think that I would ever have the opportunity to discuss this here, but stranger things have happened. My admission: I once was a total Velvet Underground obsessive. Like, crazy for Nico, in love with Lou Reed, all of it. At some point I just kind of grew out of it, but if “White Light.White Heat” comes on the radio, all of a sudden I’m back to being 19 years old and smoking weed in my dorm, gushing about my Religious Studies professor (what – he was cool!). And I’ll give this to Lou Reed – unlike rockers of a similar age group, Lou isn’t out there, showing his ass every night. Until this story came along, I don’t think I’d heard any Lou Reed news in years.

So, basically, the story is that Susan Boyle wanted to perform “Perfect Day” on America’s Got Talent. Nevermind that the song is perhaps not the best use of Boyle’s voice – everything but the chorus is basically just said, not sung. Anyway, SuBo isn’t going to sing it – because Lou Reed said “bitch please” and wouldn’t give them permission. Yikes.

TMZ has learned Susan Boyle has left Los Angeles in tears after being snubbed by a songwriter who refused to let her sing one of his hits on “America’s Got Talent.” Susan arrived to L.A. earlier today to perform the song “Perfect Day” on the show.

Sources connected to the show tell TMZ … producers needed permission from the songwriter, Lou Reed — the former lead singer for The Velvet Underground and famous for “Walk on the Wild Side” — but at the last minute they were informed that Reed refused permission because he isn’t a Boyle fan.

When Boyle found out, she dissolved into tears — unprepared to change her tune for the show.

We’re told Boyle went to LAX this afternoon — still in tears — and is catching a flight back to London.

“America’s Got Talent” refused to comment.

[From TMZ]

An insider tells Us Weekly, “The bit about her storming off is not true.” Apparently, Susan was still in her hotel when she learned that Lou Reed refused to give his permission, and Susan was upset because, she “didn’t have any time to prepare anything else, so the whole thing had to be scrapped.” The source continues: “Susan is a very sensitive soul, and she takes her work very seriously…she was very upset about the situation. he knew a lot of fans had flown in especially to watch her perform and felt she had let them down. She was heartbroken and had put so much effort in to this performance. It’s a real shame.” Poor Susan. I understand why Lou Reed did it, I guess – he wrote the song, it’s his call, and he said no. But disrespecting Susan Boyle is like punching a kitten.

Who would have thought that two of the most unorthodox icons in avant garde music, longtime live-in couple Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson, would ever get married? People reports that the unconventional pair have tied the knot after decades of living together in a private ceremony.

Legendary musician Lou Reed has gotten hitched.

The Velvet Underground singer-guitarist, 66, and his longtime love, performance artist Laurie Anderson, 60, wed in a “small, non-denominational ceremony in Boulder, Colorado, April 12,” his manager tells Usmagazine.com.

Only two friends served as witnesses, as it was a “private and intimate ceremony,” the manager says.

The New York Post reported that they celebrated recently in the Big Apple with The Diving Bell and Butterfly director Julian Schnabel and his wife, Olatz, limbo king Mike Quashie and Law & Order’s Richard Belzer.

[From People]

Now, this is one celebrity wedding that I would have paid top dollar to see covered in the pages of OK! or People. I am fascinated by this couple and I have so many questions regarding this ceremony. What made them decide to do the deed after being together for so long? Were the guests treated to such wedding traditions as “The Chicken Dance?” Did the bride and groom have a cake fight? Who was the best man?

Header image from Sorokko.com by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Footer image from NY Social Diary.