I Love You Suzanne
Lou Reed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You said that I couldn't dance
But now I'm back to let you know
That I can really make romance
You do what you gotta do
You do everything you can
You do what you want to do
Hey, but I love you, Suzanne
You do anything once
You try anything twice
You so what you gotta do
Hey, but I love you, Suzanne, hey, hey
Do what you want to do
You do what you can
You do what you want to do
But I love you, Suzanne
I love you when you're good
Baby, I love you when you're bad
You do what you gotta do
Hey, but I love you, Suzanne
Do what you want to do
Hey, baby, do what you can
You do what you want to do, baby
But I love you, Suzanne
I know you, try anything once, baby
You try anything twice
Do what you gotta do
But I love you, Suzanne
I love you when you're good, baby
I love you when you're bad
Do what you want to do
Ooohhh, but I love you, Suzanne, hey, hey
Hey, I love you, Suzanne
I love you, Suzanne
I love you, Suzanne
Oh, sweet
Do what you want to do
Hey, you do what you can
You do what you want to do
Hey, but I love you, Suzanne
You try anything once
You do anything twice
Do what you want to do
You know that I love you, Suzanne
The song "I Love You Suzanne" by Lou Reed is an upbeat track about returning to an old flame and expressing love for them despite any past heartache. The singer begins by acknowledging that Suzanne had hurt him in the past and made him cry, but he is now back to show her that he is capable of making romance. The chorus repeats the sentiment that Suzanne should do what she wants but he loves her anyway. The singer reiterates that he loves her whether she is good or bad and encourages her to do what she wants to do. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus and the singer expressing his love for Suzanne.
This song can be interpreted in a few different ways. On the surface, it appears to be a simple love song about returning to an old flame and expressing love for them despite any past issues. However, some interpretations suggest that the song is actually about Reed's complicated relationship with drugs. The lyrics can be interpreted as Reed personifying drugs as Suzanne, acknowledging that they had hurt him in the past, but he is still in love with them and cannot escape their pull.
Line by Line Meaning
You broke my heart and you made me cry
You caused me a lot of emotional pain
You said that I couldn't dance
You criticized my dance moves
But now I'm back to let you know
That I can really make romance
I am informing you that I have improved in the area you criticized me about
You do what you gotta do
You do everything you can
You do what you want to do
Hey, but I love you, Suzanne
I acknowledge that you have the freedom to do what you please, but my love for you remains
You do anything once
You try anything twice
You so what you gotta do
Hey, but I love you, Suzanne, hey, hey
You are adventurous and take risks, but I still love you regardless
Do what you want to do
You do what you can
You do what you want to do
But I love you, Suzanne
You have the liberty to pursue your desires, and I still love you
I love you when you're good
Baby, I love you when you're bad
You do what you gotta do
Hey, but I love you, Suzanne
My love for you is unconditional, whether you are behaving well or poorly
I know you, try anything once, baby
You try anything twice
Do what you gotta do
But I love you, Suzanne
I have no illusion that you are not one to refuse risk, but that doesn't change how much I love you
I love you when you're good, baby
I love you when you're bad
Do what you want to do
Ooohhh, but I love you, Suzanne, hey, hey
No matter what you do, good or bad, I will always love you
Hey, I love you, Suzanne
I love you, Suzanne
I love you, Suzanne
Oh, sweet
Repeated expression of love for Suzanne
Do what you want to do
Hey, you do what you can
You do what you want to do
Hey, but I love you, Suzanne
You have the freedom to pursue your desires, and I still love you
You try anything once
You do anything twice
Do what you want to do
You know that I love you, Suzanne
Your risk-taking nature doesn't change how much I love you
Lyrics © SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC
Written by: LEWIS ALLEN REED, LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@_2-FA
I'm not sure Uncle Lou was ever in finer shape than 1982-85. Still young enough to blast it out like a teen, but mature enough to speak his mind, eloquently. Great record. Great album.
@andymassingham
Came out 39 years ago today. Worked a record shop in downtown Toronto. Started most mornings playing this. Never thought we’d grow old. This was a non-hit that everyone knew and loved. One exception; Lou Reed, who hilariously (and predictably) declared it, “the worst song I ever wrote.”
@Xxxxxrrr6464
I agree with Lou
Still good to hear Lou
@hello9945
Which record store?...Sam's?...Music World?...A&A's?...Cheepies?
@nickadams9711
Why this wasn't a billboard Top 10 Hit is beyond me
@ashleyj7789
Me too bud, me too.
@user-xd3dd6mr5y
Probly the phone ringing in the beginning...irritating.
@ashleyj7789
God Lou Reed was so damn good it's unbelievable....lyrics, melody, orchestration >> Brilliant.
@sgtpepper2469
She started dancing to that fine fine music, her life was saved by rock and roll
@septimusheap1200
... my name is Suzanne. This makes me feel good