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

Quote collection

Lou Reed quotes (page 5 of 10)

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

Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"You can't ask me to explain the lyrics because I won't do it...I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it. That's why I survived because I still believe I've got something to say. ... I don't like overdubs, never liked them. ... The music business doesn't interest me anymore...Don't the people you're around shape the music, is that what you're saying? Everything does. ... 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."

Believe Play People
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"I think it's pretentious to create art just for the sake of stroking the artists ego."

Art Thinking Ego
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"I never liked the Beatles. I thought they were garbage."

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

People Dying Why Not
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"I've always believed that there's an amazing number of things you can do through a rock'n'roll song and that you can do serious writing in a rock song if you can somehow do it without losing the beat."

Song Writing Rocks
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"I have no control over the audience. I have no idea what they think. My heart's pure. I can't do anything. I really can't do anything. I don't know what goes on in the crowd."

Heart Thinking Ideas
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"All the people have gone to war leaving no interrogator to mind."

War People Leaving
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"I shot a vein in my neck and coughed up a quaalude."

Alcohol Drug Veins
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"Music was what bothered me, what interested me."

Bothered
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Lou Reed Musician, Songwriter
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"I am very emotionally affected by sound. Sounds are the inexplicable... There is a sound you hear in your head, it's your nerves, or your blood running."

Running Blood Sound
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"I had started also studying because I wanted to learn more about power and fighting."

Fighting Study Wanted
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"But it's not only: What are you going to do about touring, it's: What are you going to do with your life? Is there a point to what we do? I think there is. Making music, creating beautiful things. We have to be in love with the good and the beautiful. If we are not, then you're in a nihilistic state."

Beautiful Thinking Creating
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"High energy does not necessarily mean fast, high energy has to do with heart."

Heart Mean Energy
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"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?"

Mean Space Mind
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"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."

Real Believe Writing
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