The song describes some of the weirdos that hung around the Factory. The title literally refers to the scar on Andy’s chest following the incident, but I also took it to mean like another kind of chest, a treasure trove of sorts, a trove of weird characters.
Andy's Chest
Lou Reed Lyrics
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I would be a bat and come swooping after you
And if the last time you were here, things were a bit askew
Well, you know what happens after dark
When rattlesnakes loose their skins and their hearts
And all the missionaries loose their bark
All the trees are calling after you
And all the venom snipers after you
If I could be anything of the things in this world that bite
Instead of being a tethered ocelot on a leash
I'd rather be your kite
And be tied to the end of your string
And flying in the air, babe, at night
Because you know what they say about honey bears
When you shave off all their baby hair
You've got a hairy minded big bare bear
And all the bells are rolling out for you
And stones are all erupting out for you
And all the cheap bloodsuckers are flying after you
Yesterday, Daisy Mae and Biff were grooving down the street
And just like in a movie, her hands became her feet
Her belly button was her mouth
Which meant she tasted what she'd speak
But the funny thing is what happened to her nose
It grew until it reached all of her toes
Now, when people say her feet smell, they mean her nose
And curtains laced with diamonds, dear, for you
And kingdom's Christian sailors (soldiers), dear, for you
And melting ice cap mountains, dear, for you
And knights in flaming silver robes for you
And bats, that with a kiss turn prince for you
Swoop, swoop, oh, baby, rock, rock
The lyrics to "Andy's Chest" by Lou Reed are abstract and surreal, and as such, their meaning is open to interpretation. The first verse talks about flying creatures such as bats and their pursuit of the subject, suggesting a romantic or sexual desire. The second verse continues with the theme of biting creatures, stating "I'd rather be your kite," again alluding to the subject's influence over the singer. The third verse introduces a seemingly unrelated story about a woman with unusual bodily changes, possibly as a metaphor for transformation and metamorphosis.
Overall, the lyrics of "Andy's Chest" seem to be about desire and transformation, with a touch of absurdity and surrealism. The sexual and romantic undertones suggest a desire for connection and intimacy, while the transformation motifs speak to a longing for change and growth. However, the exact meaning of the lyrics is open to interpretation and may vary depending on the listener's perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could be anything in the world that flew
I wish I were a bat so I could chase after you
And if the last time you were here, things were a bit askew
If our last encounter was a little weird
Well, you know what happens after dark
Things get a little crazy at night
When rattlesnakes loose their skins and their hearts
When snakes change and shed their skins
And all the missionaries loose their bark
Even religious people can lose their minds
All the trees are calling after you
The environment is trying to grab your attention
And all the venom snipers after you
Poisonous snakes are out to get you
Are all the mountains boulder after you
Even the mountains seem to be closing in on you
If I could be anything of the things in this world that bite
If I had to be something aggressive
Instead of being a tethered ocelot on a leash
Rather than being restrained and caged
I'd rather be your kite
I'd prefer to be your companion in flight
And be tied to the end of your string
I want to be connected to you and go wherever you go
Because you know what they say about honey bears
You know the saying about things that seem innocent
When you shave off all their baby hair
When you strip away the facade
You've got a hairy minded big bare bear
You'll find something unpleasant underneath
And all the bells are rolling out for you
Everything is happening for you
And stones are all erupting out for you
The earth is coming alive for you
And all the cheap bloodsuckers are flying after you
People are trying to take advantage of you
Yesterday, Daisy Mae and Biff were grooving down the street
Just the other day, two people were enjoying themselves
And just like in a movie, her hands became her feet
Something strange and surreal happened
Her belly button was her mouth
She was talking out of her belly button
Which meant she tasted what she'd speak
She could taste her own words
But the funny thing is what happened to her nose
The real twist is what happened to her nose
It grew until it reached all of her toes
Her nose grew an absurdly long length
Now, when people say her feet smell, they mean her nose
A strange turn of events has led to confusion
And curtains laced with diamonds, dear, for you
Here are some glamorous accoutrements for you
And kingdom's Christian sailors (soldiers), dear, for you
Here are some brave people to protect you
And melting ice cap mountains, dear, for you
Here are some beautiful, yet melting landscapes
And knights in flaming silver robes for you
Here are some heroes to defend you
And bats, that with a kiss turn prince for you
Even bats can have a romantic side
Swoop, swoop, oh, baby, rock, rock
Let's have a good time together
Lyrics © SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC
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