Lou Reed

Lou Reed

Musician, Songwriter

Lou Reed was an influential American musician and songwriter known for his innovative approach to rock music and his exploration of complex themes in works like 'The Velvet Underground.'

Thinking People Writing Song Mean Art
Born
March 2, 1942
Died
October 27, 2013
Quotes
199
Rank
#513

About Lou Reed

Lou Reed — Life and Legacy

Lou Reed, a pivotal figure in rock music, is best known for his work with The Velvet Underground and his solo career. His distinctive sound and candid lyrics challenged societal norms and explored themes of love, freedom, and the human experience. Reed's quote, 'I don't know what I'm doing,' encapsulates his artistic philosophy, embracing uncertainty as a vital part of creativity. This perspective allowed him to delve into the complexities of life, as seen in songs like 'Walk on the Wild Side,' where he invites listeners to confront the unconventional aspects of existence. Reed's ability to blend poetic lyricism with raw emotion set him apart, as he often stated, 'The best thing about being a musician is that you can be a poet.' His work continues to resonate, reflecting the struggles and joys of the human condition, making his insights into love and freedom profoundly relevant today.

Quote collection

Lou Reed quotes (page 1 of 10)

199 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
Popular

"I'm an artist and that means I can be as egotistical as I want to be."

Mean Artist Want
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"You've gotta blow the roof off of your heart and let the universe in."

Heart Blow Roof
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"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."

Play Trying Joking Around
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"Perfect Night has that magic and it has the raw energy that grabs you by the throat."

Night Perfect Magic
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"But I'm also talented and I know when I created something great and Perfect Night is something great, no doubt, no but."

Night Perfect Doubt
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"Life is like Sanskrit read to a pony."

Funny Life Music
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"These are really terribly rough times, and we really should try to be as nice to each other as possible."

Love Life Family
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"You do this because you like it, you think what you're making is beautiful. And if you think it's beautiful, maybe they think it's beautiful."

Inspirational Positive Beautiful
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"The most important part of my religion is to play guitar."

Guitar Play Important
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"You can't beat two guitars, bass, and drums."

Guitar Bass Beats
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"It always bothers me to see people writing RIP when a person dies. It just feels so insincere and like a cop out. To me, RIP is the microwave dinner of posthumous honours."

Rip Writing People
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"Give me your hungry, your tired, your poor, that's what the Statue of Bigotry says. Your poor huddled masses, let's just club them to death, and get it over with."

Tired Reality Giving
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"I take drugs just because in the 20th century in a technological age living in the city there are certain drugs you have to take just to keep yourself normal like a caveman. Just to bring yourself up or down, but to attain equilibrium you need to take certain drugs. They don't getcha high even, they just getcha normal."

Cities Drug Age
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