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)
Wörk
Lou Reed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He lived alone with his mother, collecting gossip and toys
Every Sunday when he went to church
He'd kneel in his pew and say, "It's just work,
all that matters is work."
Andy was a lot of things, what I remember most
He'd say, "I've got to bring home the bacon, someone's
got to bring home the roast."
If I'd ask him he'd tell you straight out
It's just work, the most important thing is work
No matter what I did it never seemed enough
He said I was lazy, I said I was young
He said, "How many songs did you write?"
I'd written zero, I lied and said, "Ten."
"You won't be young forever
You should have written fifteen"
It's work, the most important thing is work
It's work, the most important thing is work
"You ought to make things big
People like it that way
And the songs with the dirty words - record them that way"
Andy liked to stir up trouble, he was funny that way
He said, "It's just work, all that matters is work"
Andy sat down to talk one day
He said decide what you want
Do you want to expand your parameters
Or play museums like some dilettante
I fired him on the spot, he got red and called me a rat
It was the worst word that he could think of
And I've never seen him like that
It's just work, I thought he said it's just work
Work, he'd said it's just work
Andy said a lot of things, I stored them all away in my head
Sometimes when I can't decide what I should do
I think what would Andy have said
He'd probably say you think too much
That's 'cause there's work that you don't want to do
It's work, the most important thing is work
Work, the most important thing is work
The song “Work” is a heartfelt tribute to Andy Warhol, Lou Reed’s friend and mentor. The title of the song is a nod to Warhol’s famous quote,” It’s just work” which he used to describe his art. The song is about how Warhol lived his life, whether it was in his art, in his relationships, or in his day-to-day routine, he had an unwavering focus on work. Warhol’s Catholic background instilled in him the belief that hard work was the key to success. The lyrics paint a picture of Warhol’s life, his love for gossip, his collection of oddities, but most of all, his obsession with work.
The opening lines, “Andy was a Catholic, the ethic ran through his bones, he lived alone with his mother, collecting gossip and toys” showcases Warhol’s Catholic background and his eccentricity as a collector. The song goes on to recount how Warhol encouraged Lou Reed to write dirty songs and make them big, like Warhol's own art of the “dirty” everyday objects. The song ends with Lou Reed realizing that as much as he tried, he could never match Warhol’s level of dedication and work ethic, and that he should just focus on the work that he himself couldn’t avoid.
In conclusion, Work is not only about Andy Warhol's work ethic, but also about Reed’s own insecurities about not matching up to Warhol’s standards. It portrays their friendship, Warhol’s eccentricity, his creative ideas, and how his influence touched Reed's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Andy was a Catholic, the ethic ran through his bones
Andy's Catholic upbringing instilled a strong work ethic in him.
He lived alone with his mother, collecting gossip and toys
Andy lived with his mother and spent his free time collecting gossip and toys.
Every Sunday when he went to church He'd kneel in his pew and say, 'It's just work, all that matters is work.'
During his church visits, Andy would claim that work was the most important aspect of life.
Andy was a lot of things, what I remember most He'd say, 'I've got to bring home the bacon, someone's got to bring home the roast.'
Andy was a man of many traits, but his commitment to providing for his family through work stood out.
He'd get to the factory early If I'd ask him he'd tell you straight out It's just work, the most important thing is work
Andy would arrive at the factory early and was very clear about work being his top priority.
No matter what I did it never seemed enough He said I was lazy, I said I was young He said, 'How many songs did you write?' I'd written zero, I lied and said, 'Ten.' 'You won't be young forever You should have written fifteen' It's work, the most important thing is work
Andy was critical of John's work ethic and pushed him to do more. He believed that work should always be a top priority.
You ought to make things big People like it that way And the songs with the dirty words - record them that way'
Andy advised John to create content that is bold and provocative, as it is what people tend to gravitate towards.
Andy sat down to talk one day He said decide what you want Do you want to expand your parameters Or play museums like some dilettante
In a conversation with John, Andy asked him to consider what he really wanted from his work. He challenged John to either expand his horizons or remain in a narrow space.
I fired him on the spot, he got red and called me a rat It was the worst word that he could think of And I've never seen him like that
After their conversation, John fired Andy. Andy was angry and insulted, calling John a rat. John had never seen Andy this upset before.
Andy said a lot of things, I stored them all away in my head Sometimes when I can't decide what I should do I think what would Andy have said He'd probably say you think too much That's 'cause there's work that you don't want to do
John reflected on all of Andy's advice and wisdom, even after they parted ways. When John is stuck, he thinks about what Andy would have said. Andy would remind him that he is overthinking and needs to focus on the work at hand.
It's work, the most important thing is work Work, the most important thing is work
Throughout the song, Andy emphasizes the importance of work above all else. This is his most important message to John.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE, LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind