Forever Changed
John Cale & Lou Reed/John Cale & Lou Reed Lyrics
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Took a trip around the world and never came back
Black silhouettes, crisscrossed tracks never came back
Forever changed, forever changed
You might think I'm frivolous, uncaring and cold
You might think I'm frivolous - depends on your point of view
I left my old life behind me and never went back
Forever changed, forever changed
Got to get to the city - get a job
Got to get some work to see me through
My old life's disappearing from view
Hong Kong - and I was changed
Burma and India - and I was changed
Only art to see me through
Only heart to see me through
My old life disappearing from view
Brigid and Pat - please see me through
The whole thing quickly receding
My life disappearing - disappearing from view
Forever changed, forever changed
I left my old life behind and was forever changed
Forever changed
The lyrics of Lou Reed's song, "Forever Changed," is profoundly introspective and thought-provoking. The opening line, "Train entering the city - I lost myself and never came back," is a metaphorical representation of the singer's self-discovery and departure from his conventional life. The phrase, "Black silhouettes, crisscrossed tracks never came back," conveys that once he became aware of his inner self, he could never revert to his previous life. The repetition of the chorus, "Forever changed," emphasizes the idea that once the character achieved his realization, he could never undo his new consciousness.
The second paragraph, "You might think I'm frivolous, uncaring and cold / You might think I'm frivolous - depends on your point of view," elucidates the character's detached personality, which was perhaps a coping mechanism. The next line, "Society Andy who paints and records them - the high and the low," refers to the artist, Andy Warhol, and his perception of society. The singer's travels to "Hong Kong," "Burma," and "India" illustrate his journey towards self-discovery, and he returns with only his "art" and "heart" as a guide. The phrase, "My old life's disappearing from view / Brigid and Pat - please see me through," perhaps alludes to the people he left behind, and how they may have perceived his departure. The entire song embodies the singer's transformation, and ultimately, he accepts his new self.
Line by Line Meaning
Train entering the city - I lost myself and never came back
I felt lost and never returned when I entered the city by train.
Took a trip around the world and never came back
I traveled across the world and never returned.
Black silhouettes, crisscrossed tracks never came back
I left behind the crisscrossed tracks and silhouettes of my old life and never looked back.
Forever changed, forever changed
My experiences have permanently altered my perspective and identity, and cannot be undone.
You might think I'm frivolous, uncaring and cold
Depending on your point of view, you may perceive me as being insincere, lacking in empathy, and indifferent.
You might think I'm frivolous - depends on your point of view
How you judge me depends on your individual beliefs and values.
Society Andy who paints and records them - the high and the low
I observe and depict both the high and low points of society, like my friend Andy Warhol does.
I left my old life behind me and never went back
I left behind the life I once knew, and never went back to it.
Got to get to the city - get a job
I needed to go to the city to find work and survive.
Got to get some work to see me through
Finding work was necessary for me to continue living.
My old life's disappearing from view
I am leaving behind the memories and experiences of my old life.
Hong Kong - and I was changed
My visit to Hong Kong was a transformative experience for me.
Burma and India - and I was changed
My travels to Burma and India deeply impacted and transformed me.
Only art to see me through
Art was my salvation and a source of comfort during my difficult times.
Only heart to see me through
I relied on my own inner strength and resilience to persevere.
Brigid and Pat - please see me through
My loved ones Brigid and Pat provided support and comfort during my times of need.
The whole thing quickly receding
My previous life and experiences are fading into the background, becoming less relevant over time.
My life disappearing - disappearing from view
My previous life and experiences are fading from sight and memory.
Forever changed, forever changed
My experiences have permanently altered my perspective and identity, and cannot be undone.
I left my old life behind and was forever changed
Leaving behind my previous life transformed me permanently.
Forever changed
My experiences have permanently altered my perspective and identity, and cannot be undone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE, LOU A. REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sternumagnum
The whole album is a greatly underappreciated masterpiece. A pure gem, from start to finish.
@danialkashin234
It took me two years to appreciate this masterpiece. It's always nice when you start to like an album which seemed uninteresting at the first glance)
@owenwoodley6039
How about the tension just simmering in the background
@alessandromarchesini9039
Sternumagnum, fuck you say? Underappreciated? By who? You sure? How you know is underappreciated? Do the right thing, hide yourself under your bullshits and sleep...
@sternumagnum
@@alessandromarchesini9039 underappreciated by both the public at large and most critics. That was not just "a good LP". It was brilliant. And now, little Sandrino, I'd appreciate it if you just jog on.
@guidogherardi7953
I have always considered this album a masterpiece.
@MrNegraMusica
It is not just the powerful guitar playing, or the virtuoso singing and piano playing. It is the relentless tension, the ravishing and poetic lyrics. This is a huge album.
@shinkuju
"Songs for Drella" is an authenthic masterpiece!!!!
@owenwoodley6039
Lou is so under rated in the guitarists discussions
@spiritofmaynardtrent
I first heard this song by John Cale on the Basquiat movie soundtrack. Just wonderful! For me the best Version of Hallelujah ever!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤