Trouble With Classicists
John Cale & Lou Reed/John Cale & Lou Reed Lyrics

The trouble with a classicist he looks at a tree
Classicists only focus on the literal representation of objects, like a tree, without delving deeper into its meaning or emotions.

That's all he sees, he paints a tree
Their perception is limited to surface-level interpretation, resulting in a shallow representation in their artwork.

The trouble with a classicist he looks at the sky
Classicists fail to question the significance or purpose behind what they observe, like the sky.

He doesn't ask why, he just paints a sky
They do not seek to understand the deeper meaning or symbolism behind their subjects; they simply reproduce what they see at face value.

The trouble with an impressionist, he looks at a log
Impressionists lack self-awareness as they examine an ordinary log without recognizing their own identity or purpose.

And he doesn't know who he is, standing, staring, at this log
They are uncertain of their own artistic identity and find themselves lost and fixated on insignificant objects like a log.

And surrealist memories are too amorphous and proud
Surrealists have memories that are shapeless and abstract, creating a sense of arrogance and superiority in their artistic approach.

While those downtown macho painters are just alcoholic
Contrarily, the downtown painters portray a macho image but are ultimately consumed by their excessive alcohol consumption.

The trouble with impressionist is
The issue with impressionists is

The trouble with impressionist is
The problem with impressionists is

The trouble with impressionist is
The challenge with impressionists is

The trouble with impressionist is
The downside of impressionists is

The trouble with personalities, they're too wrapped up in style
Personalities, particularly artists, are excessively focused on their own artistic technique and presentation.

It's too personal, they're in love with their own guile
Their work becomes overly subjective and self-indulgent, demonstrating their infatuation with their own cleverness and deceitfulness.

They're like illegal aliens trying to make a buck
Their actions resemble that of unlawful immigrants seeking financial gain.

They're driving gypsy cabs but they're thinking like a truck
They operate as unconventional taxi drivers, but their mindset remains rigid and predictable like a commercial truck driver.

The trouble with personalities is
The problem with personalities is

The trouble with personalities is
The issue with personalities is

The trouble with personalities is
The challenge with personalities is

The trouble with personalities is
The downside of personalities is

I like the druggy downtown kids who spray paint walls and trains
The artist appreciates the rebellious and experimental nature of urban youth who use drugs and graffiti to express themselves.

I like their lack of training, their primitive technique
The artist admires the raw and unrefined approach these individuals have, appreciating their lack of formal artistic education.

I think sometimes it hurts you when you stay too long in school
The singer believes that excessive academic training can stifle creativity and hinder artistic expression.

I think sometimes it hurts you when you're afraid to be called a fool
The artist suggests that fear of being perceived as foolish can prevent artists from taking risks and exploring new ideas.

The trouble with classicists is
The problem with classicists is

The trouble with classicists is
The issue with classicists is

The trouble with classicists is
The challenge with classicists is

The trouble with classicists is
The downside of classicists is