Lou Reed Quotes

Powerful Lou Reed for Daily Growth

About Lou Reed

Lou Reed (March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013) was an American musician, singer-songwriter, and poet who served as the rhythm guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter of the pioneering rock group, The Velvet Underground. Born Lewis Allan Reed in Brooklyn, New York, he grew up with a love for music, particularly Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Buddy Holly. Reed attended Syracuse University but dropped out to pursue music full-time. After playing with various bands, he co-founded The Velvet Underground in 1964 with John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tucker. Their 1967 debut album "The Velvet Underground & Nico" was initially a commercial failure but has since been recognized as one of the most influential albums in the history of rock music. Post-Velvet Underground, Reed embarked on a successful solo career that spanned over four decades. His works delved into themes such as drugs, sex, death, and urban decay. Notable solo albums include "Transformer" (1972), "Berlin" (1973), "New York" (1989), and "Magic and Loss" (1992). In 1996, Reed was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Velvet Underground. His impact on rock music is immeasurable; he was a key figure in the development of punk, new wave, alternative rock, and indie rock. His raw, honest lyrics and innovative songwriting continue to inspire generations of musicians worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There's no hope for the likes of us."

Lou Reed's quote, "There's no hope for the likes of us," conveys a sense of despair or resignation about one's circumstances, especially in a world that may be perceived as unyielding or indifferent to their struggles. It implies that the individuals being referred to feel excluded from the mainstream, and due to societal norms or structures, they believe there is no possibility for them to attain happiness, success, or redemption. This quote can be seen as a cry for understanding and empathy towards those who may feel marginalized, misunderstood, or hopeless in their journey through life.


"I'll be your mirror"

Lou Reed's quote, "I'll be your mirror," can be seen as an offer to reflect one's own self back, encouraging introspection and self-discovery. It suggests a willingness to accept and understand another person as they truly are, without judgment, and in doing so, help them see themselves more clearly. The quote emphasizes empathy, intimacy, and the idea that our relationships can serve as a means of personal growth and self-understanding.


"The more we learn, the less we know."

Lou Reed's quote highlights the paradoxical nature of knowledge acquisition. As we delve deeper into understanding the world around us, we discover an intricate web of interconnections, complexities, and uncertainties that challenge our initial perceptions. This humbling process reminds us that despite learning more, there is still so much more to learn, thus emphasizing the endless pursuit of knowledge.


"I guess that's one of those things you never get used to - death."

This quote by Lou Reed expresses a universal truth about the human condition: we never grow accustomed to death, no matter how many times we experience it. It underscores our inherent fear, sadness, and sense of loss that accompanies the end of life, reminding us of its inescapable permanence and finality. Yet, it also implies a deep respect for life and the lasting impact it leaves on those who have known and loved someone who has died.


"Now baby, don't you cry / Things will make themselves perfectly clear / This is not an end / It is just the beginning of the great fear"

This Lou Reed quote suggests that although a situation may be emotionally challenging or uncertain (the "great fear"), it does not mark an ending, but rather the commencement of a new phase or revelation ("things will make themselves perfectly clear"). The speaker is encouraging someone to persevere through their tears ("now baby, don't you cry") as they navigate this unfamiliar terrain.


When I record an album I'm trying to get as close as possible to that perfect moment.

- Lou Reed

Trying, Perfect, Record, Album

I cleaned up my act because otherwise I would have kicked the bucket.

- Lou Reed

Act, Bucket, Otherwise, Kicked

For a while, I felt a little self-impelled to write Lou Reed Kind of songs. I should have understood that a Lou Reed song was anything I wanted to write about.

- Lou Reed

Song, Kind, Felt, Reed

I don't know what goes on in the crowd. I've had them show up and throw beer cans at me. I caused riots in most of the major cities.

- Lou Reed

Crowd, Goes, Cities, Riots

I've become completely well adjusted to being a cult figure.

- Lou Reed

Well, Cult, Figure, Adjusted

I wouldn't want to hear Beethoven without beautiful bass, the cellos, the tuba. It's very important. Hip-hop has thunderous bass. And so does Beethoven. If you don't have the bass, it's like being amputated. It's like you have no legs.

- Lou Reed

Want, Like, Very, Beethoven

Music should come crashing out of your speakers and grab you, and the lyrics should challenge whatever preconceived notions that listener has.

- Lou Reed

Come, Your, Listener, Preconceived

I'll tell ya, I'm a genuinely nice guy. I really am. A real nice guy. But I think I'm temperamental.

- Lou Reed

Think, Tell, I Think, Temperamental

Some even claim that I'm a terror, a dictator and they're right.

- Lou Reed

Some, Terror, Even, Claim

The first generation of CDs sounded terrible. Any chance to remaster would make the music sound better than what was already out there.

- Lou Reed

Chance, Generation, Sound, CDs

The music is all. People should die for it. People are dying for everything else, so why not the music?

- Lou Reed

People, Die, Why, Why Not

I'm not joking around when I've said occasionally, trying to learn how to play a D chord properly has been a very big thing for me.

- Lou Reed

Play, Big, Very, Joking

I don't mind a repetitive chorus; I mind repetitive verse. I mean, it's the same amount of space. Why would you have only three diamonds if you can have six?

- Lou Reed

Mind, Diamonds, Amount, Chorus

I don't like the word rock opera, but I'm trying to write on that level that's reserved for plays still, or novels.

- Lou Reed

Opera, Still, Plays, Novels

I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any attention at all. Sometimes it's me, or a composite of me and other people. Sometimes it's not me at all.

- Lou Reed

Other, Real People, I Write, Composite

I always thought martial arts was the most modern choreography we could have right now, and I always wanted to put it to music.

- Lou Reed

Thought, Always, Could, Choreography

Me, I've concentrated on music pretty much to the exclusion of other things.

- Lou Reed

Music, Pretty, Other, Concentrated

But I'm also talented and I know when I created something great and Perfect Night is something great, no doubt, no but.

- Lou Reed

Night, Perfect, Created, Perfect Night

Perfect Night has that magic and it has the raw energy that grabs you by the throat.

- Lou Reed

Magic, Perfect, Throat, Perfect Night

Perfect Night is minimalistic and that's what makes it so forceful.

- Lou Reed

Night, Perfect, Forceful, Perfect Night

You can't beat 2 guitars, bass, and drums.

- Lou Reed

Beat, Bass, Drums, Guitars

You can't beat two guitars, bass, and drums.

- Lou Reed

Beat, Bass, Drums, Guitars

I think it's pretentious to create art just for the sake of stroking the artists ego.

- Lou Reed

Art, Think, I Think, Pretentious

I don't think I'm in any position to call myself a martial artist. I'm a student of the martial arts.

- Lou Reed

Think, Artist, Student, Martial Arts

You can't ask me to explain the lyrics because I won't do it.

- Lou Reed

Me, Ask, Explain, Lyrics

I think life is far too short to concentrate on your past. I rather look into the future.

- Lou Reed

Think, I Think, Rather, Concentrate

I can concentrate on my art.

- Lou Reed

Art, I Can, Concentrate

How can anybody learn anything from an artwork when the piece of art only reflects the vanity of the artist and not reality?

- Lou Reed

Art, Learn, Artist, Reflects

When I was in college, I had a jazz radio show. I called it 'Excursion on a Wobbly Rail,' after a Cecil Taylor song. I used to run around the Village following Ornette Coleman wherever he played.

- Lou Reed

College, Jazz, Coleman, Wherever

It's depressing when you're still around and your albums are out of print.

- Lou Reed

Still, Print, Albums, Depressing

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