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 Raven
Lou Reed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I pondered, weak and weary
Over many a quaint and curious
Volume of forgotten lore
While I nodded, nearly napping
Suddenly there came a tapping
As of some one gently rapping
Rapping at my chamber door
"Tapping at my chamber door
Only this and nothing more."
Muttering I got up weakly
Always I've had trouble sleeping
Stumbling upright my mind racing
Furtive thoughts flowing once more
I, there hoping for some sunrise
Happiness would be a surprise
Loneliness no longer a prize
Rapping at my chamber door
Seeking out the clever bore
Lost in dreams forever more
Only this and nothing more
Hovering my pulse was racing
Stale tobacco my lips tasting
Scotch sitting upon my basin
Remnants of the night before
Came again
Infernal tapping on the door
In my mind jabbing
Is it in or outside rapping
Calling out to me once more
The fit and fury of Lenore
Nameless here forever more
And the silken sad uncertain
Rustling of the purple curtain
Thrilled me, filled me
With fantastic terrors never felt before
So that now, oh wind, stood breathing
Hoping yet to calm my breathing
"'Tis some visitor entreating
Entrance at my chamber door
Some lost visitor entreating
Entrance at my chamber door
This it is, and nothing more."
Deep into the darkness peering
Long I stood there
Wondering fearing
Doubting dreaming fantasies
No mortal dared to dream before
But the silence was unbroken
And the stillness gave no token
And the only word there spoken
Was the whispered name, "Lenore."
This I thought
And out loud whispered from my lips
The foul name festered
Echoing itself
Merely this, and nothing more
Back into my chamber turning
Every nerve within me burning
When once again I heard a tapping
Somewhat louder than before
"surely," said I
Surely that is something at my iron staircase
Open the door to see what threat is
Open the window, free the shutters
Let us this mystery explore
Oh, bursting heart be still this once
And let this mystery explore
It is the wind and nothing more
Just one epithet I muttered as inside
I gagged and shuddered
When with manly flirt and flutter
In there flew a stately raven
Sleek and ravenous as any foe
Not the least obeisance made he
Not a minutes gesture towards me
Of recognition or politeness
But perched above my chamber door
This fowl and salivating visage
Insinuating with its knowledge
Perched above my chamber door
Silent sat and staring
Nothing more
Askance, askew
The self's sad fancy smiles at you I swear
At this savage viscous countenance it wears
Though you show here shorn and shaven
And I admit myself forlorn and craven
Ghastly grim and ancient raven
Wandering from the opiate shores
Tell me what thy lordly name is
That you are not nightmare sewage
Some dire powder drink or inhalation
Framed from flames of downtown lore
Quotes the raven, "nevermore."
And the raven sitting lonely
Staring sickly at my male sex only
That one word
As if his soul in that one word
He did outpour, "pathetic."
Nothing farther than he uttered
Not a feather then he fluttered
Till finally was I that muttered as I stared
Dully at the floor
"other friends have flown and left me
Flown as each and every hope has flown before
As you no doubt will fore the morrow."
But the bird said, "never, more."
Then I felt the air grow denser
Perfumed from some unseen incense
As though accepting angelic intrusion
When in fact I felt collusion
Before the guise of false memories respite
Respite through the haze of cocaine's glory
I smoke and smoke the blue vial's glory
To forget
At once
The base Lenore
Quoth the raven, "nevermore."
"Prophet," said I, "thing of evil
Prophet still, if bird or devil
By that heaven that bend above us
By that God we both ignore
Tell this soul with sorrow laden
Willful and destructive intent
How had lapsed a pure heart lady
To the greediest of needs
Sweaty arrogant dickless liar
Who ascribed to nothing higher
Than a jab from prick to needle
Straight to betrayal and disgrace
The conscience showing not a trace."
Quoth the raven, "nevermore."
"Be that word our sign of parting
Bird or fiend," I yelled upstarting
"get thee back into the tempest
Into the smoke filled bottle's shore
Leave no black plume as a token
Of the slime thy soul hath spoken
Leave my loneliness unbroken
Quit as those have quit before
Take the talon from my heart
And see that I can care no more
Whatever mattered came before
I vanish with the dead Lenore."
Quoth the raven, "nevermore."
But the raven, never flitting
Still is sitting silent sitting
Above a painting silent painting
Of the forever silenced whore
And his eyes have all the seeming
Of a demon's that is dreaming
And the lamplight over him
Streaming throws his shadow to the floor
I love she who hates me more
I love she who hates me more
And my soul shall not be lifted from that shadow
Nevermore
The lyrics to Lou Reed's "The Raven" draw heavily on Edgar Allen Poe's haunting poem of the same name, as well as incorporating other elements of Poe's work. The singer of the song is tormented by a visit from a mysterious raven, which taps at his chamber door but refuses to leave or speak any word except "nevermore". The singer's own drug addiction and obsession with the lost love of Lenore seem to drive him to madness and further desperation.
The lyrics of "The Raven" are rich with references to Poe's work and other gothic literature, which makes for a deeply layered song that rewards repeated listening. The singer seems to be struggling with both his own addiction and an existential despair that is driven in large part by his obsession with death and the afterlife. He is haunted by the raven and its cryptic message of "nevermore", which seems to signify the finality of death and the utter hopelessness of his situation. The song is a haunting and visceral exploration of human suffering, grief, and loss that draws on some of the most powerful themes of gothic literature.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a midnight dreary
In the darkest hours of the night
As I pondered, weak and weary
While I reflected, feeling tired and drained
Over many a quaint and curious
Amongst various peculiar and fascinating
Volume of forgotten lore
Books of knowledge that have been neglected and ignored
While I nodded, nearly napping
While I was close to falling asleep
Suddenly there came a tapping
Abruptly, a gentle knocking was heard
As of some one gently rapping
Similar to a light tapping sound
Rapping at my chamber door
Knocking at the door of my room
'Tis some visitor,' I muttered
'It must be a visitor,' I quietly said
'Tapping at my chamber door
'Knocking at my room's door
Only this and nothing more.'
There was no other purpose for the knocking
Muttering I got up weakly
I spoke softly as I rose with little strength
Always I've had trouble sleeping
I've consistently struggled with sleep
Stumbling upright my mind racing
In a confused state, my thoughts were racing
Furtive thoughts flowing once more
Secretive thoughts resurfacing once again
I, there hoping for some sunrise
I, desiring an end to darkness
Happiness would be a surprise
Finding joy would be unexpected
Loneliness no longer a prize
Being alone is no longer desirable
Seeking out the clever bore
Looking for the smart but tiresome companion
Lost in dreams forever more
Trapped in never-ending dreams
Seeking out the clever bore
Looking for the smart but tiresome companion
Lost in dreams forever more
Trapped in never-ending dreams
Only this and nothing more
Just this and nothing else
Hovering my pulse was racing
My heart raced with anxiety
Stale tobacco my lips tasting
Tasting the lingering flavor of old tobacco
Scotch sitting upon my basin
A bottle of Scotch resting on my wash basin
Remnants of the night before
Traces of the previous night's activities
Came again
Returned once more
Infernal tapping on the door
Hellish knocking on the door
In my mind jabbing
Piercing my thoughts
Is it in or outside rapping
Is the knocking from inside or outside
Calling out to me once more
Appealing to me again
The fit and fury of Lenore
The intense and passionate emotion of Lenore
Nameless here forever more
Without a name here for eternity
And the silken sad uncertain
And the soft, melancholic, unsure
Rustling of the purple curtain
Sounds of the purple curtain swaying
Thrilled me, filled me
Excited and overwhelmed me
With fantastic terrors never felt before
With incredible fears never experienced before
So that now, oh wind, stood breathing
Now, oh wind, I stood breathing
Hoping yet to calm my breathing
Still hoping to steady my breath
'Tis some visitor entreating
'It is a visitor requesting
Entrance at my chamber door
To come inside my room
This it is, and nothing more.
This is the purpose of the tapping, and nothing more
Deep into the darkness peering
Looking deeply into the darkness
Long I stood there
I remained there for a long time
Wondering fearing
Feeling a mix of curiosity and fear
Doubting dreaming fantasies
Questioning and imagining unreal ideas
No mortal dared to dream before
No human ever dared to have such dreams
But the silence was unbroken
However, the silence remained undisturbed
And the stillness gave no token
And the calmness gave no indication
And the only word there spoken
And the only word uttered there
Was the whispered name, 'Lenore.'
Was the soft spoken name, 'Lenore'
This I thought
I believed this
And out loud whispered from my lips
And said aloud in a whisper
The foul name festered
The unpleasant name lingered
Echoing itself
Repeating again and again
Merely this, and nothing more
Simply this, and nothing else
Back into my chamber turning
Returning back into my room
Every nerve within me burning
Feeling intense sensations in every part of me
When once again I heard a tapping
When I once again heard a knocking
Somewhat louder than before
Slightly louder than the previous one
'surely,' said I
'Certainly,' I said
Surely that is something at my iron staircase
Certainly, there is something at my metal staircase
Open the door to see what threat is
Open the door to discover what danger awaits
Open the window, free the shutters
Unlock the window, release the closed shutters
Let us this mystery explore
Let us investigate this enigma
Oh, bursting heart be still this once
Oh, my racing heart, calm down for a moment
And let this mystery explore
And allow us to uncover this mystery
It is the wind and nothing more
It is only the wind, nothing else
Just one epithet I muttered as inside
Just one derogatory term I murmured internally
I gagged and shuddered
I choked and trembled
When with manly flirt and flutter
When with a masculine flirt and flapping
In there flew a stately raven
Then flew in a dignified raven
Sleek and ravenous as any foe
Sleek and voracious like any enemy
Not the least obeisance made he
He showed no sign of respect or deference
Not a minutes gesture towards me
Not a single movement towards me
Of recognition or politeness
To acknowledge or be courteous
But perched above my chamber door
But sat on top of my room's door
This fowl and salivating visage
This bird with a repulsive and drooling appearance
Insinuating with its knowledge
Implying with its wisdom
Silent sat and staring
Quietly sat and gazing
Nothing more
No more than that
Askance, askew
Sideways, crooked
The self's sad fancy smiles at you I swear
The melancholic imagination of oneself smiling at you, I promise
At this savage viscous countenance it wears
At this ferocious and sinister expression it displays
Though you show here shorn and shaven
Even if you appear here shaven and bald
And I admit myself forlorn and craven
And I acknowledge my own misery and cowardice
Ghastly grim and ancient raven
Ghostly, frightening, and ancient raven
Wandering from the opiate shores
Roaming away from the narcotic-infused landscape
Tell me what thy lordly name is
Inform me of your majestic name
That you are not nightmare sewage
That you are not a foul product of nightmares
Some dire powder drink or inhalation
Some deadly substance to inhale or consume
Framed from flames of downtown lore
Derived from the legends of the city's underworld
Quotes the raven, 'nevermore.'
The raven responds, 'nevermore.'
And the raven sitting lonely
And the raven sitting alone
Staring sickly at my male sex only
Gazing in a sickly manner at my male physique only
That one word
That single word
As if his soul in that one word
As if his entire being in that one word
He did outpour, 'pathetic.'
He did pour out, 'pathetic.'
Nothing farther than he uttered
Nothing more than what he spoke
Not a feather then he fluttered
Not a single feather did he flutter
Till finally was I that muttered as I stared
Until finally, I murmured as I stared
Dully at the floor
Dull and lifeless at the floor
'other friends have flown and left me
'Other friends have departed and abandoned me
Flown as each and every hope has flown before
Flown away, just like every hope has
As you no doubt will fore the morrow.'
As you undoubtedly will as well before tomorrow.'
But the bird said, 'nevermore.'
But the bird replied, 'nevermore.'
Then I felt the air grow denser
Then I sensed the air becoming thicker
Perfumed from some unseen incense
Scented with an unseen aroma
As though accepting angelic intrusion
As if welcoming divine intervention
When in fact I felt collusion
But I actually felt conspiracy
Before the guise of false memories respite
Under the appearance of false memories providing relief
Respite through the haze of cocaine's glory
Temporary relief amidst the intoxication of cocaine
I smoke and smoke the blue vial's glory
I inhale and constantly seek the euphoria of the drug
To forget
To escape from memory
At once
Immediately
The base Lenore
The lowly Lenore
Quoth the raven, 'nevermore.'
The raven repeated, 'nevermore.'
'Prophet,' said I, 'thing of evil
'Prophet,' I said, 'creature of evil
Prophet still, if bird or devil
Prophet nonetheless, whether bird or devil
By that heaven that bend above us
By the heaven that arches over us
By that God we both ignore
By that God that we both disregard
Tell this soul with sorrow laden
Inform this sorrowful soul
Willful and destructive intent
Intentionally seeking harm and destruction
How had lapsed a pure heart lady
How a woman with a pure heart had fallen
To the greediest of needs
To the most selfish desires
Sweaty arrogant dickless liar
Sweaty, arrogant, deceitful man without courage
Who ascribed to nothing higher
Who believed in nothing greater
Than a jab from prick to needle
Than the satisfaction of injecting drugs
Straight to betrayal and disgrace
Directly leading to betrayal and shame
The conscience showing not a trace.
The conscience revealing no sign of existence
Quoth the raven, 'nevermore.'
The raven repeated, 'nevermore.'
'Be that word our sign of parting
'Let that word be our indication of separation
Bird or fiend,' I yelled upstarting
Bird or devil,' I exclaimed, jumping up
'get thee back into the tempest
'Return to the storm
Into the smoke filled bottle's shore
Into the land of the smoke-filled bottle
Leave no black plume as a token
Leave no black feather as a symbol
Of the slime thy soul hath spoken
Of the filth that your soul has uttered
Leave my loneliness unbroken
Leave my solitude undisturbed
Quit as those have quit before
Depart like those who left before
Take the talon from my heart
Remove the claw from my heart
And see that I can care no more
And realize that I can no longer care
Whatever mattered came before
Anything that held significance in the past
I vanish with the dead Lenore.
I disappear with the deceased Lenore.
Quoth the raven, 'nevermore.'
The raven repeated, 'nevermore.'
But the raven, never flitting
But the raven, never moving
Still is sitting silent sitting
Continues to sit silently
Above a painting silent painting
Over a silent painting
Of the forever silenced whore
Of the prostitute forever silenced
And his eyes have all the seeming
And his eyes give the appearance
Of a demon's that is dreaming
Of a dreaming demon
And the lamplight over him
And the light from the lamp above him
Streaming throws his shadow to the floor
Casting his shadow upon the floor
I love she who hates me more
I love that person who despises me even more
I love she who hates me more
I love that person who despises me even more
And my soul shall not be lifted from that shadow
And my soul shall not be elevated from that darkness
Nevermore
Nevermore
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind