New Age
Lou Reed/John Cale/Nico Lyrics


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Can I have your autograph
He said to the fat blonde actress
You know I've seen every movie you've been in
From Paths of Pain to Jewels of Glory
And when you kissed Robert Mitchum
Gee but I thought you'd never catch him

Over the hill right now
And you're looking for love
You're over the hill right now
And you're looking for love
I'll come running to you
honey when you want me
I'll come running to yoy
honey when you want me

Can I have your autograph
He said to the fat blonde actress
You know I know everything you've done
Anyway I hate divorces
To the left is a marble shower
It was fun even for an hour

Your're over the hill right now
And you're looking for love
You're over the hill right now
And you're looking for love
I'll come running to you
honey when you want me
I'll come running to you
honey when you want me

Something's got a hold on me
And I don't know what

Something's got a hold on me
And I don't know what

It's the beginning of a new age
It's the beginning of a new age





It's a new age

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lou Reed/John Cale/Nico's song "New Age" are fascinating and cryptic. The first stanza is about a fan approaching a fat blonde actress and asking for an autograph. The fan says that he has seen all her movies from "Paths of Pain to Jewels of Glory" and that he was surprised when she kissed Robert Mitchum because he thought she would never catch him. The second stanza is about the same fan complimenting the actress and telling her that he hates divorces. He also mentions a marble shower to the left that was fun for an hour. The chorus comes in, saying "You're over the hill right now and you're looking for love. I'll come running to you, honey when you want me." The last two stanzas are about something having a hold on the singer (perhaps the new age) that they don't understand, and a repetition of the chorus with the added line, "It's the beginning of a new age."


The song is likely about the changes and uncertainties of the 1970s, when the song was written and when the new age movement was beginning to gain traction. The actress in the song could represent the old ways that people were leaving behind, and the marble shower could represent the temporary pleasures of that time. The line "something's got a hold on me and I don't know what" could represent the uncertainty and unease of the new age movement. The chorus, then, could symbolize the comfort that the singer finds in the thought of somebody else taking hold of them during the turbulence of the time.


Line by Line Meaning

Can I have your autograph
A fan asks for an autograph from a famous actress as a symbol of admiration.


He said to the fat blonde actress
The fan addresses the actress who he thinks is overweight.


You know I've seen every movie you've been in
The fan boasts about his knowledge of the actress's work.


From Paths of Pain to Jewels of Glory
The fan lists some of the movies he's watched.


And when you kissed Robert Mitchum
The fan recalls a romantic scene from one of the movies.


Gee but I thought you'd never catch him
The fan is surprised that the actress could kiss such a handsome man.


Over the hill right now
The actress is no longer young and attractive.


And you're looking for love
The actress is seeking love and companionship.


I'll come running to you honey when you want me
The artist promises to be there for the actress when she needs him.


Can I have your autograph
The fan again requests an autograph from the actress.


You know I know everything you've done
The fan claims to know everything about the actress, including personal details.


Anyway I hate divorces
The artist expresses a dislike for divorces, possibly as a reference to the actress's life.


To the left is a marble shower
The singer describes the surroundings, which may suggest he is in the actress's home or dressing room.


It was fun even for an hour
The singer enjoyed spending time with the actress, even if only briefly.


Something's got a hold on me and I don't know what
The singer is feeling a strong emotion that he can't identify.


It's the beginning of a new age
The phrase may express a feeling of optimism about the future.


It's a new age
The phrase suggests that change is happening and things will be different from now on.




Lyrics © SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@rossturcotte419

unreal / surreal set. 🍌
absolutely iconic & gorgeously moving.
truly tremendous, haunting & legendary stuff y'all. 🖤〰️

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