Lou Reed Quotes

Music is an amazing thing. I don't know if we really think about it the same way we consider a painting an amazing thing. I mean, a painting is, in quotes, imaginary. There is nothing on the canvas when you start; and writing a song, there is nothing there when you start.

It's just a temporary thing.

Please don't set me free Death means a lot me

All I want to do, is write rock and roll that you could listen to as you got older, and it wouldn't lose anything; it would be timeless, in the subject matter and the literacy of the lyrics.

The most important part of my religion is to play guitar.

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

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.

Nothing beats 2 guitars, drum and bass.

They tied his arms behind his back to teach him how to swim, they put blood in his coffee and milk in his gin.

My attitude is that you very rarely come in contact with someone of Master Ren's level, so every opportunity I could get to learn from him I wanted to do that.

I am bigger and stronger than ever. My Chen Taiji and health regimen has served me well all of these years, thanks to Master Ren Guang-yi. I look forward to being on stage performing, and writing more songs to connect with your hearts and spirits and the universe well into the future.

You won't see my parents honored on any stamps.

The baby sits in front of MTV watching violent fantasies, while Dad guzzles beer with his favorite sport only to find his heroes all coked up.

They put the thing down your throat so you don't swallow your tongue, and they put electrodes on your head. That's what was recommended in Rockland State Hospital to discourage homosexual feelings. The effect is that you lose your memory and become a vegetable. You can't read a book because you get to page 17 and have to go right back to page one again.

Moving on has allowed me to know who I am and to be present in all that I do. I take this forward in my work and in my personal relationships. It is a powerful program and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to move on with their life.

I love women, I think they're great.

One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you're into jazz.

Don't the people you're around shape the music, is that what you're saying? Everything does.

My God is rock'n'roll.

There were lots of things that I recognized from my experience with Eagle Claw and Wu Hao, and here was the combination of the whole kit and kaboodle, the whole tamale in one.

I'd breed a little liberal army in the wood, just like these redneck lunatics I see at the local bar with their tribe of mutant inbred piglets.

She never ever lost her head even when she was giving head.

Over what guilty spirit to not hear the beating, to not hear the beating, but only tears of perfect moan, only tears of perfect moan.

People can vote for who ever they want. That doesn't mean I have to go near them.

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

With Master Ren, if I'd tell him I can't do that and he'd say, yes you can, and it turns out I very much can do it.

Things always seem to end before they start

As the dead rise to live, the live sink to die, the currents are deep and raging inside.

When you pass through the fire, you pass through humble.

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

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

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

Kill them now, cause I need some kicks. I need some kicks, I'm getting bored.

One thing I've often thought is that I never want to tell anybody else what to do. It's hard enough to figure out what I want to do.

The sickness of the mother runs on through the girl, leaving her small and helpless. Liquor flies through her brain with the force of a gun, leaving her running in circles.

I'd harbored hopes that the intelligence that once inhabited novels or films would ingest rock. I was, perhaps, wrong.

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.

I'm tearing down Route 80 East, the sun's on my right side. I'm drunk, but my vision's good.

Life's like a mayonnaise soda.

Herpes, AIDS, the Middle East at full throttle. Better check that sausage before you put it in the waffle.

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

I tried to give up drugs by drinking.

I like mindless disco... they say the lyrics are stupid and repetitious. So what's wrong with that? So is lying in the sun. Not everything has to be serious.

Sound is more than just noise. Ordered sound is music. My life is music.

People think that I work out but it's all t'ai chi.

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.

Between thought and expression lies a lifetime.

The music business doesn't interest me anymore.