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91 Greatest Quotes By Lou Reed

Famous As: Lead Guitarist, Vocalist & Principal Songwriter of the Rock Band “The Velvet Underground”
Born On: March 2, 1942
Died On: October 27, 2013
Born In: New York City, New York, United States
Died At Age: 71

Lewis Allan Reed or Lou Reed was an American musician, songwriter and singer. With musicians such as John Cale and Sterling Morrison, he went on to form the originally unsuccessful band ‘The Velvet Underground’, which gained recognition and cult following in the later years. The pioneer of ostrich guitar tuning, Lou Reed was renowned for his poetic lyrics and unique deadpan voice. His albums were included in the Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The Velvet Underground was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He collaborated with metal acts such as Metal Machine Trio, Gorillaz and Metallica, and other popular musicians like David Bowie, Mick Ronson and Iggy Pop. Many popular artists such as Courtney Love, Lenny Kravitz, Miley Cyrus, Samuel L. Jackson, Kanye West and Howard Stern have paid tribute in honor of his work. We have compiled some of his finest quotes from his lyrics, interviews and general utterances. Let us go through some of the famous quotes from this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

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There's a bit of magic in everything, and some loss to even things out.

There's a bit of magic in everything, and some loss to even things out.

Lou Reed
Life is like Sanskrit read to a pony.

Life is like Sanskrit read to a pony.

Lou Reed
You're going to reap just what you sow

You're going to reap just what you sow

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

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

Lou Reed
Things always seem to end before they start

Things always seem to end before they start

Lou Reed
I'm still not sure I didn't die

I'm still not sure I didn't die

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

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

Lou Reed
These are really terribly rough times, and we really should try to be as nice to each other as possible.

These are really terribly rough times, and we really should try to be as nice to each other as possible.

Lou Reed
Take a walk on the wild side.

Take a walk on the wild side.

Lou Reed
When you think the night has seen your mind, That inside your twisted and unkind, Let me stand to show that you are blind. Please put down you hands cause I see you. I'll be you mirror.

When you think the night has seen your mind, That inside your twisted and unkind, Let me stand to show that you are blind. Please put down you hands cause I see you. I'll be you mirror.

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

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
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?

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

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

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

Lou Reed
Let's do what you fear most
That from which you recoil
But which still makes your eyes moist

Let's do what you fear most That from which you recoil But which still makes your eyes moist

Lou Reed

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
I tried to give up drugs by drinking.

I tried to give up drugs by drinking.

Lou Reed

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
I can't do anything I want to. I mean, I can't have my own TV show. I can't have my own movie. But within my little world, nobody tells me what to put on the albums.

I can't do anything I want to. I mean, I can't have my own TV show. I can't have my own movie. But within my little world, nobody tells me what to put on the albums.

Lou Reed
Meditation doesn't have to be complicated. What I do is about as simple as you can get. You could just count the beads, one, two, three, with your eyes closed or open, whatever makes you happy.

Meditation doesn't have to be complicated. What I do is about as simple as you can get. You could just count the beads, one, two, three, with your eyes closed or open, whatever makes you happy.

Lou Reed
I love women, I think they're great.

I love women, I think they're great.

Lou Reed
And no kinds of love are better than others

And no kinds of love are better than others

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

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
There's only X amount of time. You can do whatever you want with that time. It's your time.

There's only X amount of time. You can do whatever you want with that time. It's your time.

Lou Reed
It's just a temporary thing.

It's just a temporary thing.

Lou Reed
I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it.

I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it.

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

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

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

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

Lou Reed
I think it's important that people don't feel alone.

I think it's important that people don't feel alone.

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

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

Lou Reed