The album is the pair's first collaboration since 1972, and is dedicated to the memory of Andy Warhol, their mentor, who had died unexpectedly in 1987. Drella was a nickname for Warhol, a portmanteau of Dracula and Cinderella, used by Warhol's crowd.
Songs for Drella offers a kind of vie romancée of Warhol, focusing on his interpersonal relations. The songs fall roughly into three categories: Warhol's (semi-fictitious) first-person perspective, third-person narratives chronicling events and affairs, and first-person feelings towards and commentaries on Warhol by Reed and Cale themselves.
The pair had been playing the songs live in 1989 as a song cycle before committing them to tape. By the end of recording Cale vowed never to work with Reed again due to personal differences; nevertheless, Songs for Drella would prove to be the overture to a full-blown Velvet Underground reunion: a one-off performance of "Heroin" in 1990, and a tour in 1993.
Although the album was conceived as an indivisible whole, a single was released off it, "Nobody But You".
Hello It's Me
Lou Reed & John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wished I talked to you more when you were alive
I thought you were self-assured when you acted shy
Hello, it's me
I really miss you, I really miss your mind
I haven't heard ideas like that for such a long, long time
I loved to watch you draw and watch you paint
When Billy Name was sick and locked up in his room
You asked me for some speed, I though it was for you
I'm sorry if I doubted your good heart
Things always seem to end before they start
Hello, it's me, that was a great gallery show
Your cow wallpaper and your floating silver pillows
I wish I paid more attention when they laughed at you
Hello, it's me
"Pop goes pop artist", the headline said
"Is shooting a put-on, is Warhol really dead"
You get less time for stealing a car
I remember thinking as I heard my own record in a bar
They really hated you, now all that's changed
But I have some resentments that can never be unmade
You hit me where it hurt I didn't laugh
Your diaries are not a worthy epitaph
Oh well, now Andy, guess we've got to go
I wish some way somehow you like this little show
I know this is late in coming but it's the only way I know
Hello, it's me
Goodnight, Andy
Goodbye, Andy
The song "Hello It's Me" by Lou Reed and John Cale is a poignant tribute to Andy Warhol, who was a great friend to both artists. The song is a conversation that Reed has with Warhol, who has passed away, as he reflectively wishes he spoke with him more while he was alive. Reed admits to previously being intimidated by Warhol's strange, shy exterior, masking his self-assured interior. Reed remembers a time they spent together when Billy Name was sick and Warhol asked Reed for some speed, and Reed later realized he had doubted Warhol's good heart.
Reed regrets that he did not pay more attention to Warhol's ideas and the laughter that once surrounded them because their impact had faded over time. The lyrics discuss the news of Warhol being shot and the hoax speculation that followed, which disgusted Reed. Though Reed admits to having some unresolved grievances with Warhol and his ways, he wishes that somehow, some way, Warhol could like the tribute of the song. The song ends with sorrowful goodbyes.
Overall, the lyrics illustrate Reed's admiration for Warhol, but also the regret and loss of a cherished friend.
Line by Line Meaning
Andy, it's me, haven't seen you in a while
Addressing Andy Warhol, an old acquaintance, remarking on not seeing him for a while.
I wished I talked to you more when you were alive
Regretting not talking more with Andy when he was still alive.
I thought you were self-assured when you acted shy
Observing how Andy, despite appearing timid, seemed confident with his art.
Hello, it's me
Greeting the deceased Andy, continuing the conversation.
I really miss you, I really miss your mind
Missing Andy and all of his innovative ideas.
I haven't heard ideas like that for such a long, long time
Reflecting on how much time has gone by since hearing such innovative ideas.
I loved to watch you draw and watch you paint
Finding joy in observing Andy creating art.
But when I saw you last, I turned away
Regretting the last interaction with Andy, which was not a positive one.
When Billy Name was sick and locked up in his room
Recalling a past event when Billy Name, a photographer and friend, was ill.
You asked me for some speed, I though it was for you
Assuming that Andy wanted amphetamines for himself when requested.
I'm sorry if I doubted your good heart
Apologizing for not fully trusting Andy's intentions.
Things always seem to end before they start
Reflecting on how things never seem to last very long.
Hello, it's me, that was a great gallery show
Another greeting to Andy, expressing admiration for an art exhibition.
Your cow wallpaper and your floating silver pillows
Complimenting some of the unique art pieces in the exhibition.
I wish I paid more attention when they laughed at you
Regretting not standing up for Andy when others belittled his work.
Hello, it's me
Continuing the conversation with Andy.
"Pop goes pop artist", the headline said
Referencing a tabloid headline that mocked Andy's artistic style.
"Is shooting a put-on, is Warhol really dead"
Wondering if reports of Andy's death were actually a hoax.
You get less time for stealing a car
Commenting on the absurdity of harsher consequences for stealing a car than for controversial artwork.
I remember thinking as I heard my own record in a bar
Recalling a time when Lou Reed's music played in a public setting.
They really hated you, now all that's changed
Acknowledging how Andy's art and legacy are now well-respected compared to the past.
But I have some resentments that can never be unmade
Admitting to personal grievances that cannot be undone.
You hit me where it hurt I didn't laugh
Recounting an occasion when Andy may have accidentally offended Lou Reed.
Your diaries are not a worthy epitaph
Believing that Andy's personal diaries are not a satisfactory legacy.
Oh well, now Andy, guess we've got to go
Expressing the realization that the conversation must conclude.
I wish some way somehow you like this little show
Hoping that Andy would appreciate this tribute song.
I know this is late in coming but it's the only way I know
Acknowledging that this acknowledgement and tribute is coming late.
Hello, it's me
Final address to Andy.
Goodnight, Andy
Saying goodnight to Andy as if ending a conversation.
Goodbye, Andy
Saying goodbye to Andy, likely meaning permanently as he has passed away.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE, LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sternumagnum
One of the best albums in the history of recorded music - for certain.
@MichaelFlynn0
deepest.
@ulrichwill496
👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️🇨🇭🇨🇭
@hannahs1683
It really is
@bobjones864
This is probably Lou Reed's best song. The conversationalness of it is what makes it so moving. It seems kinda clumsy at first "You asked me for some speed/I thought it was for you," but he's dropping in bits of conversational language in a really artful way. It's really a pretty daring extension of his usual songwriting voice. And John Cale's viola lines are gorgeous.
@greatgardengnome855
This song brings tears to my eyes.
@ulrichwill496
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇨🇭
@christianlacheze3323
Same here
@kamalmanzukie
'things always seem to end before they start.' what a great line. very much a lou reed line, concise and cuts you to the bone.
@ToxicCokeCola
My friend died in December, he was 24 years old and I'd know him since he was 11.
I don't think there's been a day since I heard the news that I haven't listened to this song. It's so honest. Sometimes in friendship there is resentment, there is definitely regret and loads of misunderstandings. It's good to know I'm not alone in that. But the above all else, there's longing for the days that can never come back.