Lou Reed (1942–2013) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, and photographer. He was best known as the guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of the Velvet Underground, and for his solo career, which spanned several decades. His music was marked by a raw, emotionally charged sound, and often featured themes of romantic love, alienation, and transgression. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential artists of all time, and his influence has been felt across the music world.
| Name | Lou Reed |
| Genre | Rock, pop, jazz, experimental |
| Date of Birth | March 2, 1942 |
| Associated Acts | The Velvet Underground, John Cale, Nico |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals, harmonica |
| Notable Songs | “Walk on the Wild Side”, “Perfect Day”, “Take a Walk on the Wild Side” |
10 Best Lou Reed Quotes
“My advice to young musicians is: Don’t be afraid to take chances. Don’t worry about what people think.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“I have never been afraid of the dark, and I don’t think I ever will be.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“I’m a fan of a lot of stuff. I’m a fan of the world.”
– Lou Reed, from The Guardian
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
– Lou Reed, from The Guardian
“My view of the world is that people should be allowed to express themselves any way they want.”
– Lou Reed, from New York Times
“My music is not a mop-up operation. It’s not just to make up for what happened before. It’s to move on.”
– Lou Reed, from New York Times
“If you don’t take chances, you won’t ever get anywhere.”
– Lou Reed, from XFM
“I’m not a fan of nostalgia. I’m a fan of the future.”
– Lou Reed, from XFM
“You can’t be afraid to take chances and do something that hasn’t been done before.”
– Lou Reed, from Huffington Post
“Be yourself and be real. Be honest and be true and don’t believe everything people tell you.”
– Lou Reed, from Huffington Post
6 Lou Reed Quotes About Nico
“Nico was a great, great talent; she had a very unusual singing voice and she could really act.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“Nico’s interpretation of my songs was always wonderful.”
– Lou Reed, from CNN
“Nico was a very special person to me and I think to everybody who ever got near her.”
– Lou Reed, from Discogs
“She had an amazing voice, a combination of a low-pitched wail and a high-pitched keening, of grief and celebration.”
– Lou Reed, from Discogs
“She was a great friend and a great talent, and I miss her.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“She was a real character and had a very strong personality.”
– Lou Reed, from CNN
6 Inspirational Lou Reed Quotes
“Do something you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
– Lou Reed, from The Guardian
“You have to have a sense of humour, because it’s a very funny world.”
– Lou Reed, from The Guardian
“I always like to tell people: Don’t be afraid to be who you are, don’t be afraid to express yourself.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“I always thought that if I was going to be in music, I wanted to do something that no one else was doing, and it turned out that that’s what I did.”
– Lou Reed, from The Guardian
“The most important thing is to be yourself, because that’s what people want to hear.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“I’m not a person who looks back and says, ‘Oh, if only I had done this or that.’ I believe in going forward, in making the best of the here and now.”
– Lou Reed, from The Guardian
5 Famous Lou Reed Quotes
“I was not a punk rocker, I was a thinker. I was writing books before I ever wrote songs.”
– Lou Reed, from NPR
“… I’m a songwriter, and I’m a rock ‘n’ roll musician. Those are the two major things in my life.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“I will never be a rock star. I will never be a pop star. I will never be anything but the person who writes songs and makes records.”
– Lou Reed, from AV Club
“It’s not about rebellion; it’s about noticing something and bringing it to the surface.”
– Lou Reed, from Independent
“I want to be a force for good. I want to be a force for evolution. I want to be a force for change.”
– Lou Reed, from The Guardian
5 Lou Reed Quotes About Love
“What I mean by love is the spiritual connection, the feeling of being one. That’s the very deepest level of love.”
– Lou Reed, from The Guardian
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“I think it’s important to be a good person and to love people, and to try to lead a decent life.”
– Lou Reed, from Huffington Post
“Love should never be demanding, it should be a gift.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“Love is what makes the world go ‘round and it’s worth fighting for.”
– Lou Reed, from Louder Sound
5 Lou Reed Quotes About Life
“It’s all about living life, being alive, and living it as fully as you can.”
– Lou Reed, from Grammy
“Life is a series of peaks and valleys. Don’t let the peaks get too high and the valleys too low.”
– Lou Reed, from YouTube
“You never know what’s going to happen in life. You can plan, but things will still change.”
– Lou Reed, from Rolling Stone
“My life has been a series of doors opening and closing and doorknobs turning and locks.”
– Lou Reed, from BBC
“Life is a mistake that only art can correct.”
– Lou Reed, from The Guardian
6 Quotes About Lou Reed
“He was a master of the electric guitar, and a master of the song”
– Bono, from Rolling Stone
“Lou Reed was a master. His songs penetrated the soul”
– Mick Jagger, from Rolling Stone
“His lyrics are like no other”
– David Bowie, from Rolling Stone
“His influence was so strong, it was almost physical”
– Patti Smith, from Rolling Stone
“He was a one-off. A classic artist”
– Iggy Pop, from Rolling Stone
“Lyrically, he was unrivaled”
– Bruce Springsteen, from Rolling Stone
Interview with Lou Reed
Frequently Asked Questions About Lou Reed
1. What was Lou Reed’s most iconic song?
Lou Reed is widely known for his influence on rock music, and his most iconic song is arguably “Walk on the Wild Side”. Released in 1972, the song was a hit single from his second solo album, Transformer. It was a commercial success and has since been covered by a number of artists.
The song is about various friends of Reed’s in the 1960s, including Warhol’s “Superstars” Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, Joe Dallesandro and Jackie Curtis, who he described as “the hustlers and the playmates”. The lyrics are a celebration of the counterculture and acceptance of those who were considered “different” at the time.
Musically, the song consists of a combination of funk and jazz influences, with a jazzy saxophone solo and a unique combination of instruments. Reed’s distinctive vocal style also adds to its appeal.
Some of the Lyrics from “Walk on the Wild Side”:
- Holly came from Miami F.L.A.
- Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A.
- Plucked her eyebrows on the way
- Shaved her legs and then he was a she
- She said, “Hey, babe, take a walk on the wild side”
2. What did Lou Reed mean when he said “I’m gonna stand up and shout, I’m gonna do what it’s all about”?
Lou Reed’s statement “I’m gonna stand up and shout, I’m gonna do what it’s all about” is an empowering call to action. The phrase can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on the context in which it is used.
- It could mean that you should take a stand and express your opinion on a subject, even if it means speaking out against the majority.
- It could also mean that you should strive to be the best version of yourself and make the most out of life, rather than just coasting through it.
- Finally, it could be interpreted to mean that you should take action to help make the world a better place for everyone.
No matter how it is interpreted, Lou Reed’s statement is an inspiring reminder that each of us has the power to make a difference, no matter how small. It is a call to rise up and use our voices and actions to make the world a better place.
3. What was the name of Lou Reed’s first solo album?
Lou Reed’s first solo album was titled Lou Reed, and was released in 1972. The album featured several singles that went on to become fan favorites, such as “Walk on the Wild Side” and “I’m So Free”. Other tracks from the album that have gained considerable attention include “Berlin”, “Satellite of Love”, and “Goodnight Ladies”.
- Walk on the Wild Side
- I’m So Free
- Berlin
- Satellite of Love
- Goodnight Ladies
4. What did Lou Reed believe was the most important thing in music?
According to Lou Reed, the most important aspect of music was authenticity. He believed that when it came to music, it needed to be genuine and honest. He said, “Be real. Don’t waste your time trying to be something you’re not.”
Reed also stressed the importance of emotion in music. He argued that music should capture and express the feelings and emotions of the artist in order to create an impactful and meaningful experience for the listener. He said, “Music should be about feelings, not just sounds.”
Reed also believed that musicians should be creative and explore different sounds and styles. He said, “Be creative. Don’t be afraid to try something new and push the boundaries of music.”
In summary, Lou Reed believed that the most important thing in music was authenticity, emotion, and creativity. Here is a list of his quotes on this subject:
- Be real. Don’t waste your time trying to be something you’re not.
- Music should be about feelings, not just sounds.
- Be creative. Don’t be afraid to try something new and push the boundaries of music.
5. How did Lou Reed’s music influence the punk rock movement?
Lou Reed’s influence on the punk rock movement was undeniable. His musical style and approach to songwriting was a major influence on the punk scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Here are some of the ways his music impacted the punk rock movement:
- His no-nonsense songwriting style and lyrical attitude inspired and energized punk rockers.
- He was one of the first songwriters to incorporate industrial and experimental soundscapes into his songs.
- His use of dark and often sarcastic lyrics resonated with punk rockers, who typically had a bleak view of the world.
- He was a major influence on the punk rock band the Velvet Underground, who went on to become one of the most influential punk bands of all time.
- He was an inspiration to many of the punk rock bands of the 1980s, such as The Clash, The Ramones, and The Sex Pistols.
Lou Reed’s influence on the punk rock movement was undeniable. His music was a major influence on the sound and attitude of punk, and his influence can still be heard in punk rock today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lou Reed was an iconic artist who lived by his own rules. He was a pioneer in the music industry, blending together different genres to create unique music unlike anything else. His most famous quotes reflect his wit, intelligence, and insight into the world and the human condition. His legacy lives on through his music, which will continue to inspire generations to come.
