Having played guitar and sung in doo-wop groups in high school, Reed studied poetry at Syracuse University under Delmore Schwartz, and had served as a radio DJ, hosting a late-night avant garde music program while at college. After graduating from Syracuse, he went to work for Pickwick Records in New York City, a low-budget record company that specialized in sound-alike recordings, as a songwriter and session musician. A fellow session player at Pickwick was John Cale; together with Sterling Morrison and Angus MacLise, they would form the Velvet Underground in 1965. After building a reputation on the avant garde music scene, they gained the attention of Andy Warhol, who became the band's manager; they in turn became something of a fixture at The Factory, Warhol's art studio, and served as his "house band" for various projects. The band released their first album, now with drummer Moe Tucker and featuring German singer Nico, in 1967, and parted ways with Warhol shortly thereafter. Following several lineup changes and three more little-heard albums, Reed quit the band in 1970.
After leaving the band, Reed would go on to a much more commercially successful solo career, releasing twenty solo studio albums. His second, Transformer (1972), was produced by David Bowie and arranged by Mick Ronson, and brought him mainstream recognition. The album is considered an influential landmark of the glam rock genre, anchored by Reed's most successful single, "Walk on the Wild Side". After Transformer, the less commercial but critically acclaimed Berlin peaked at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart. Rock 'n' Roll Animal (a live album released in 1974) sold strongly, and Sally Can't Dance (1974) peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200; but for a long period after, Reed's work did not translate into sales, leading him deeper into drug addiction and alcoholism. Reed cleaned up in the early 1980s, and gradually returned to prominence with The Blue Mask (1982) and New Sensations (1984), reaching a critical and commercial career peak with his 1989 album New York.
Reed participated in the re-formation of the Velvet Underground in the 1990s, and made several more albums, including a collaboration album with John Cale titled Songs for Drella which was a tribute to their former mentor Andy Warhol. Magic and Loss (1992) would become Reed's highest-charting album on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at No. 6.
He contributed music to two theatrical interpretations of 19th century writers, one of which he developed into an album titled The Raven. He married his third wife Laurie Anderson in 2008, and recorded the collaboration album Lulu with Metallica. He died in 2013 of liver disease. Reed has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice; as a member of the Velvet Underground in 1996 and as a solo act in 2015.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reed
Studio albums
Lou Reed (1972)
Transformer (1972)
Berlin (1973)
Rock 'n' Roll Animal (1974)
Sally Can't Dance (1974)
Metal Machine Music (1975)
Coney Island Baby (1975)
Rock and Roll Heart (1976)
Street Hassle (1978)
The Bells (1979)
Growing Up in Public (1980)
The Blue Mask (1982)
Legendary Hearts (1983)
New Sensations (1984)
Mistrial (1986)
New York (1989)
Magic and Loss (1992)
Set the Twilight Reeling (1996)
Ecstasy (2000)
The Raven (2003)
Hudson River Wind Meditations (2007)
The Kids
Lou Reed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because she was making it with sisters and brothers
And everyone else, all of the others
Like cheap officers who would
Stand there and flirt in front of me
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because of the things that they heard she had done
The black air force sergeant was not the first one
And all of the drugs she took, every one, every one
And I am the water boy, the real game's not over here
But my heart is overflowin' anyway
I'm just a tired man, no words to say
But since she lost her daughter
It's her eyes that fill with water
And I am much happier this way
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because number one was the girl friend from paris
The things that they did, ah, they didn't have to ask us
And then the welshman from india, who came here to stay
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because of the things she did in the streets
In the alleys and bars, no she couldn't be beat
That miserable rotten slut couldn't turn, anyone away
I am the water boy, the real game's not over here
But my heart is overflowin' anyway
I'm just a tired man, no words to say
But since she lost her daughter
It's her eyes that fill with water
And I am much happier this way
The song "The Kids" by Lou Reed tells the story of a woman who is losing custody of her children because she is considered to be an unfit mother. The verses describe the reasons why the woman is being deemed as an unfit mother, such as her drug abuse, promiscuity, and infidelity. The chorus repeats the refrain "they're taking her children away," emphasizing the devastating impact that it has on the woman and her family.
The lyric "I am the water boy, the real game's not over here, but my heart is overflowing anyway" is interesting because it suggests that while the story of the woman losing her children is a serious and devastating issue, there are other, more significant issues at play that are not being addressed. Reed is acknowledging that this is just a small part of a larger societal problem.
Another interesting aspect of this song is that it is open to interpretation. The reasons why the woman is losing her children are never fully explained, and the audience is left to fill in the gaps. Some may interpret it as a commentary on the flawed child custody system, while others may see it as a commentary on societal oppression of marginalized groups.
Line by Line Meaning
They're taking her children away
The children of the woman in question are being taken away from her.
Because they said she was not a good mother
She is deemed as an unfit mother by the authorities.
They're taking her children away
Her kids are being taken away.
Because she was making it with sisters and brothers
The mother, in question, was having sexual relations with her siblings and others, which the authorities consider inappropriate.
And everyone else, all of the others
She has been intimate with many others.
Like cheap officers who would
She engaged in such behavior casually.
Stand there and flirt in front of me
She openly flirted with others, without feeling any remorse, letting her behavior be known.
They're taking her children away
Her children are being taken away.
Because of the things that they heard she had done
Authorities have heard about her actions and behavior.
The black air force sergeant was not the first one
She had affairs even with a black air force sergeant, who was not the first in her escapades.
And all of the drugs she took, every one, every one
She consumed all types of drugs.
And I am the water boy, the real game's not over here
The artist considers himself as an onlooker.
But my heart is overflowin' anyway
Emotions overwhelm him as he sees what is happening.
I'm just a tired man, no words to say
He is a helpless, exhausted man without words.
But since she lost her daughter
The woman has lost her daughter because she has been declared unfit by authorities.
It's her eyes that fill with water
The woman displays sorrow and tears when she thinks of her child.
And I am much happier this way
The artist feels content with his position and how events have aligned.
Because number one was the girlfriend from Paris
The woman's girlfriend from Paris was the first person with whom authorities found fault.
The things that they did, ah, they didn't have to ask us
They are aware of the inappropriate behavior that was done.
And then the Welshman from India, who came here to stay
Another person she had a relationship with was a Welshman from India, who was also in the country for an extended period.
Because of the things she did in the streets
She engaged in behavior that was inappropriate or unsuitable for the streets.
In the alleys and bars, no she couldn't be beat
She was promiscuous, unable to be matched seductively in any alleys or bars.
That miserable rotten slut couldn't turn anyone away
She was a miserable rotten slut who could not turn anyone away.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A Guy
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because she was making it with sisters and brothers
And everyone else, all of the others
Like cheap officers who would stand there and flirt in front of me
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because of the things that they heard she had done
The black Air Force sergeant was not the first one
And all of the drugs she took, every one, every one
And I am the Water Boy, the real game's not over here
But my heart is overflowin' anyway
I'm just a tired man, no words to say
But since she lost her daughter
It's her eyes that fill with water
And I am much happier this way
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because number on was the girl friend from Paris
The things that they did - ah - they didn't have to ask us
And then the Welshman from India, who came here to stay
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because of the things she did in the streets
In the alleys and bars, no she couldn't be beat
That miserable rotten slut couldn't turn anyone away
I am the Water Boy, the real game's not over here
But my heart is overflowin' anyway
I'm just a tired man, no words to say
But since she lost her daughter
It's her eyes that fill with water
And I am much happier this way
boringthings boutaboi
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because she was making it with sisters and brothers
And everyone else, all of the others
Like cheap officers who would stand there and flirt in front of me
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because of the things that they heard she had done
The black Air Force sergeant was not the first one
And all of the drugs she took, every one, every one
And I am the Water Boy, the real game's not over here
But my heart is overflowin' anyway
I'm just a tired man, no words to say
But since she lost her daughter
It's her eyes that fill with water
And I am much happier this way
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because number one was the girlfriend from Paris
The things that they did - ah - they didn't have to ask us
And then the Welshman from India, who came here to stay
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because of the things she did in the streets
In the alleys and bars, no she couldn't be beat
That miserable rotten slut couldn't turn anyone away
I am the Water Boy, the real game's not over here
But my heart is overflowin' anyway
I'm just a tired man, no words to say
But since she lost her daughter
It's her eyes that fill with water
And I am much happier this way
Wagner Antonio de Oliveira
Eu não me canso de ler e ouvir Lou. Ele é parte da minha alma. Nunca houve poeta musical igual a ele no rock'and'roll. Todos os dias eu sinto a sua falta. Descanse em paz, mestre!
Anderson Batista
Esse álbum é o absurdo do lirismo, do retrato da realidade de muitas pessoas e casais, principalmente no Brasil...
James Pettypool
The most brutally honest rock and roll album I've ever heard. Scared the $hit out of me at 16 years old. That was 40 years ago. Feels like an old friend now.
Joelle Benoit
The all Lou Reed work is amazing.
Kier Smith - From me to you
Yeah I first heard it at 21 years old....and it scared Me to death. I adore this album.
Txema Novelo
❤️
ddk999
The most authentic, raw artist in rock music history. Brilliant composer of urban symphonies.
The Prodigal
This is my favorite work by Lou! Without a doubt! It chills me to the bone!
Ceva CH
How can you listen without crying, screaming of horror ? I feel the same as the first time I listened to it 40 years ago...
Scott Brown
Make it 46 for me. I, obviously still listen and dissect every element of this record - lyrical, musical & perhaps even spiritual. I HONESTLY love it.