New Age
The Velvet Underground Lyrics


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Can I have your autograph
He said to the fat blonde actress
You know I've seen every movie you've been in
From Paths of Pain to Jewels of Glory
And when you kissed Robert Mitchum
Gee but I thought you'd never catch him

Over the hill right now
And you're looking for love
You're over the hill right now
And you're looking for love
I'll come running to you
honey when you want me
I'll come running to yoy
honey when you want me

Can I have your autograph
He said to the fat blonde actress
You know I know everything you've done
Anyway I hate divorces
To the left is a marble shower
It was fun even for an hour

Your're over the hill right now
And you're looking for love
You're over the hill right now
And you're looking for love
I'll come running to you
honey when you want me
I'll come running to you
honey when you want me

Something's got a hold on me
And I don't know what

Something's got a hold on me
And I don't know what

It's the beginning of a new age
It's the beginning of a new age





It's a new age

Overall Meaning

The Velvet Underground's "New Age" is a satirical commentary on the pursuit of fame and shallow relationships, as the lyrics tell the story of a man meeting a fat blonde actress and asking for her autograph. The man claims to have seen every movie she's ever been in, even those with small and forgettable parts such as "Paths of Pain" and "Jewels of Glory". The man is infatuated with the actress and recalls a scene where she kisses Robert Mitchum, indicating his obsession with celebrity culture. The lyrics offer a criticism of those who value external beauty and fame over genuine connection, as evidenced by the actress's shallow and brief sexual encounter in a marble shower.


The chorus of the song, "You're over the hill right now and you're looking for love, I'll come running to you honey when you want me," mocks the idea of love and commitment in a world where people use each other for their own personal gain. The line "Something's got a hold on me and I don't know what" further emphasizes the emptiness of their relationship and suggests a lack of control over their actions.


In the final lines of the song, the band declares "It's the beginning of a new age," suggesting that this mentality of superficiality and self-serving behavior is the dawn of a new era. Overall, "New Age" is a scathing critique of Hollywood culture and the commodification of love.


Line by Line Meaning

Can I have your autograph
A man asks a famous actress for her autograph


He said to the fat blonde actress
The man addresses the actress as being large and having fair hair


You know I've seen every movie you've been in
The man mentions he has watched the actress in every movie she's acted in


From Paths of Pain to Jewels of Glory
The man specifically recollects titles of movies the actress has acted in


And when you kissed Robert Mitchum
The man recalls a scene where the actress kissed Robert Mitchum


Gee but I thought you'd never catch him
The man is surprised that the actress was able to kiss Robert Mitchum


Over the hill right now
The actress is currently advanced in age


And you're looking for love
The actress desires love despite her age


I'll come running to you honey when you want me
The man offers to be there for the actress when she needs him


Can I have your autograph
The man reiterates his request for the actress's autograph


You know I know everything you've done
The man knows a lot about the actress's life


Anyway I hate divorces
The man expresses his dislike for ending marriages


To the left is a marble shower
The location of the conversation is described


It was fun even for an hour
The man enjoyed his time spent with the actress


Something's got a hold on me
The singer is feeling controlled by an unknown force


And I don't know what
The singer is unsure of what is controlling them


It's the beginning of a new age
The song marks the start of a new era


It's a new age
The song declares that a new era has begun




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L.
Written by: Lou Reed

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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