This soundtrack is curated by the documentary's director, Todd Haynes, and music supervisor Randall Poster. It includes well-known and rare tracks from the band as well as songs and performances that influenced The Velvet Underground, including the doo-wop of The Diablos, the groundbreaking rock and roll of Bo Diddley, and the avant-garde compositions of La Monte Young. Its booklet also features exclusive liner notes by Haynes.

Featuring some of the band's most well-known tracks, rarities and songs that influenced them, the soundtrack serves as the perfect introduction to the band and companion piece to the film and features such favourites as "Sunday Morning," "All Tomorrow's Parties," "Pale Blue Eyes," "I'm Waiting for The Man" and "Sweet Jane," as well as the mono version of "Heroin" and the rare cut "Foggy Notion." Also featured are live versions of "After Hours" and "Sister Ray," Nico's "Chelsea Girls," and the tongue-in-cheek novelty song "The Ostrich" by The Primitives, an early band formed by Lou Reed and John Cale.