Set the Twilight Reeling
Lou Reed Lyrics


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Take me for what I am a star newly emerging
Long simmering explodes inside the self is reeling
In the pocket of the heart, in the rushing of the blood
In the muscle of my sex, in the mindful mindless love
I accept the new found man and set the twilight reeling

At 5 am the moon and the sun sit set before my window
Light glances off the blue glass we set right before the window
And you who accept in your soul and your head
What was misunderstood what was thought of with dread
A new self is born the other self dead
I accept the new found man and set the twilight reeling

A soul singer stands on the stage the spotlight shows him sweating
He sinks to one knee Seems to cry the horn are unrelenting
But as the drums beats he finds himself growing hard
In the microphone's face he sees her face growing large
And the swelling crescendo no longer retards
I accept the new found man and set the twilight reeling

As the twilight sunburst gleams
As the chromium moon it sets




As I lose all my regrets and set the twilight reeling
I accept the new found man and set the twilight reeling

Overall Meaning

In Lou Reed's song "Set the Twilight Reeling", he describes the emergence of a new self that has been simmering within him for a long time. The first verse talks about how this new feeling explodes inside him, in the pocket of his heart and the muscle of his sex. The lyrics speak to a sense of acceptance of this new found self and the idea of setting the twilight reeling is a metaphor for embracing this new identity.


The second verse discusses the acceptance of others who also may have been misunderstood or thought of with dread. Reed sings about a new self being born and the other self dying. The acceptance and celebration of this change and growth is a central theme of the song.


The final verse speaks to a sense of release and freedom as the twilight sunburst gleams and the chromium moon sets. Reed sings about losing all of his regrets and accepting this new found man. The lyrics suggest that there is a sense of liberation in fully embracing and accepting one's true self.


Line by Line Meaning

Take me for what I am a star newly emerging
I want to be accepted for who I am as I begin to shine and make my mark


Long simmering explodes inside the self is reeling
My innermost desires and emotions are finally breaking free and overwhelming me


In the pocket of the heart, in the rushing of the blood
My deepest feelings reside within me and are pulsing strongly through my veins


In the muscle of my sex, in the mindful mindless love
My physical desires and intimate connections are meaningful and passionate, yet also instinctual and automatic


I accept the new found man and set the twilight reeling
I embrace my newly discovered self and allow my emotions and experiences to overwhelm me


At 5 am the moon and the sun sit set before my window
Early in the morning, both the darkness and the light coexist in my view


Light glances off the blue glass we set right before the window
The sunlight reflects off of a blue object placed in front of the window


And you who accept in your soul and your head
Those who have come to understand and believe in themselves both emotionally and intellectually


What was misunderstood what was thought of with dread
Things that were previously confusing or scary are now clearer and more acceptable


A new self is born the other self dead
I have transformed into a new version of myself, leaving behind the person I used to be


I accept the new found man and set the twilight reeling
I choose to embrace my changed identity and let my emotions overwhelm me


A soul singer stands on the stage the spotlight shows him sweating
A performer is visible and vulnerable under the bright lights of the stage


He sinks to one knee Seems to cry the horns are unrelenting
The performer appears to be overcome with emotion and the music continues to intensify


But as the drums beats he finds himself growing hard
Despite his emotions, the rhythm of the music begins to excite him


In the microphone's face he sees her face growing large
He imagines his lover's face becoming larger and more prominent in his mind as he performs


And the swelling crescendo no longer retards
The buildup of emotion and intensity can no longer be held back or restrained


I accept the new found man and set the twilight reeling
I continue to embrace my changed self and allow my emotions to take over


As the twilight sunburst gleams
The sunset creates a burst of beautiful colors


As the chromium moon it sets
The silvery moon disappears from view


As I lose all my regrets and set the twilight reeling
As I let go of my past worries and doubts, I allow my emotions to overwhelm me again


I accept the new found man and set the twilight reeling
Once again, I choose to embrace my changed self and let my emotions take over




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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