I Can't Stand It
The Velvet Underground [unofficial] Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's hard being a man
Living in a garbage pail
My landlady called me up, oh
She tried to hit me with a mop

I can't stand it any more more
I can't stand it any more more, oh
I can't stand it any more more

But if baby would just come back, it'd be all right
Yeah, if baby would just come back, it would be all right
Come on, baby

I live with thirteen dead cats
A purple dog that wears spats
They're all living out in the hall
And I can't stand it any more

I can't stand it any more more
I can't stand it any more more
I can't stand it any more more

But if baby would just come back, it'd be all right
Oh, if baby would just come back, it would be all right
Be all right, now

Come on, baby

I'm tired of living all alone, yeah
Nobody ever calls me on the phone
But when things are getting better
I just play my music louder

I can't stand it any more more
I can't stand it any more more
I can't stand it any more more

I can't stand it, I can't stand it
I can't stand it, I can't stand it ...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Velvet Underground's song "I Can't Stand It" depict the life of an unhappy and lonely man struggling to cope with his surroundings. He lives in squalor with thirteen dead cats and a purple dog that wears spats, all of which live in the hall of the building he resides in. His landlady is depicted as an unpleasant character who tries to hit him with a mop. He bemoans his solitude, with nobody calling him on the phone and finds solace in loud music.

The song is an expression of frustration and angst that many listeners can relate to, especially those who feel trapped in a situation they cannot escape. Lou Reed's vocals convey a haunting sense of despair that reflected the lives of many people during that era. The song's chorus, "I can't stand it anymore," is a repeated cry for help, an expression of pain, and a plea for relief.

Line by Line Meaning

It's hard being a man
Being a man is a challenging role to fulfill.

Living in a garbage pail
My living conditions are subpar and unhygienic.

My landlady called me up, oh
My landlady phone-bombed me.

She tried to hit me with a mop
I am being mistreated and abused by my landlady.

I can't stand it any more more
I am mentally and emotionally exhausted with my current situation.

But if baby would just come back, it'd be all right
My significant other is my only hope for happiness.

I live with thirteen dead cats
My apartment is filled with unpleasant and gross surroundings.

A purple dog that wears spats
My apartment is even inhabited by an unusual and strange purple dog.

They're all living out in the hall
My apartment is too small to house everything, so my personal effects live in the hallway.

And I can't stand it any more
I have reached the breaking point of my living situation.

I'm tired of living all alone, yeah
I feel isolated and disconnected from society.

Nobody ever calls me on the phone
I am devoid of social interaction.

But when things are getting better
In moments of happiness, I escape through my music.

I just play my music louder
I use music to drown out the unpleasant reality of my life.

I can't stand it, I can't stand it
My discontent with my living situation has reached a boiling point.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@VanderVousVdV

5y↑16

Before being a man
Livin' in a garbage pail
My landlady call me up
She tried to hit me with a mop

I can't stand it anymore more
I can't stand it anymore more
I can't stand it anymore more
But if Shelly she would just come back
It'll be allright
But if Shelly she would just come back
It'll be allright

I live with thirteen dead cats
A purple who hear spats
They're all livin in a hall
And I can't stand it anymore

I can't stand it anymore more
I can't stand it anymore more
I can't stand it anymore more
But if Shelly she would just come back
It'll be allright
But if Shelly she would just come back
It'll be allright

Before being a man
Livin' in a garbage pail
My landlady call me up
She tried to hit me with a mop

I can't stand it anymore more
I can't stand it anymore more
I can't stand it anymore more
But if Shelly she would just come back
It'll be allright
But if Shelly she would just come back
It'll be allright
Be allright, be allright....

@user-ip9yu7lp1q

1y↑2

It's hard being a man Livin' in a garbage pail
My landlady called me up
She tried to hit me with a mop

And I can't stand it anymore
But if Shelly would just come back, it'd be alright

I live with thirteen dead cats
A purple dog that wears spats
They're livin' out in a hall

All comments from YouTube:

@frankpeter6851

2y↑17

I like his singing here.
His voice and his delivery.
Seems like I've never heard it as well as I do on this song

@dannyhernandez265

26w↑3

Greatest band of all time for me.

@BrownistKidUKnow

9y↑48

This track is very dance-able

@ryanmcgrath7069

9y↑7

Yessir

@ElSantoLuchador

1y↑17

The tone of Sterling and Lou's guitar sound and the way they play against each other is unmatched in music history. I first heard Foggy Notion at high volume when I was high and nearly had an out of body experience.

@dannyhernandez265

26w↑1

I want to get high too, any ideas where to find some w**d? I would like some, but don’t know where to find any.

@Formypeople68

7y↑30

Such a good groove.

@reuireuiop0

3y↑4

Velvet Undergroove, we call it

@johnstirling6597

11w↑1

those drums, that bass , can see where much of 70s and 80s (serious) music evolved from.

@wbafc1231

5y↑11

Both versions of this song an excellant.

@mbrand19971

2y↑4

This is a dance-able which this band argubly is the best alternative rock song and they were ahead of their time.

@dawhoda1

You said the same shit as Bob the pumpkin. Stop being a clown

@ArthurGoodlad

9y↑11

Love this version.

@undercoverofdarknezz

2y↑4

Velvet underground and sonic youth are my fav bands

@nina2012

SAME

@frontdesk9662

4y↑19

I love it! Remember clearly when the VU compilation came out in '85, it was a revelation...

@colinwilson4609

For me it would have to be the Ballad of El Goodo by Big Star. And After Hours by VU. And it will be a wake, not a funeral.

@garethsheeheen8332

3y↑1

The Andy warhorse inspirational gift to the material world INCREDIBLE XXX

@C0mmanderKewl

2y↑4

LOL AFTER I PLAYED THIS SONG MY WIFE WAS ALL LIKE I CANT STAND IT ANY MO MO. :,) now that’s a keeper

@Yetgo

5y↑3

Every time I hear this for some reason I think he would count to 4, every time I'm surprised by the song already starting!

@davyhenry8985

2y↑7

I want this song to be played at my funeral

@addicted2lipgloss872

😅

@drewhale3041

3y↑4

The superior version.

@JavierKaleb

8y↑103

Lou Reed was the man

@pyewacket5432

7y↑5

Javier Kaleb López Ocampo after John & Sterling

@earlbutler6213

3y↑5

Is the Man

@AlexAlex-of6ms

2y↑3

Ya he was

@alex79teramo49

2y↑4

Yes, Lou Reed was.......IS...."The Man",
Lou Reed "was" the "Rock 'n' Roll".........
"....deep down inside I' ve got a Rock 'n' Roll heart.....", he sang.
R.I.P. Lou,
Alex.

@geoffreylogan5121

14w

Is the man

1 More Replies...

@frodo261

6y↑27

I live with 13 dead cats and a purple dog that wears Spats.......classic lyrics Lou

@rochelledatinguinoo1240

6y↑2

this is so amazing and cool wayyyy before it's time. Amazed and yes I have heard them before kk'

@luismoraless7133

6y↑4

This is THE version (:

@markboyd9275

7y↑12

This mix slays the VU version!!!

@dawhoda1

Lol who you think this is?

@sgt.boneface7467

@@dawhoda1 I think he meant the original version as this is a cleaned up mix of the original

@reuireuiop0

1y↑2

VU being the 80s album with unknown outtakes and some oddities. The red -white-black VU meter featured elsewhere was on the cover. Still have a c90 cassette which has visited New Zealand in my backpack.

@markboyd9275

1y↑1

Haha, yea. I never responded because I thought it was obvious. I’m hoping the original replier was having a laugh, but who knows, this is YouTube after all.

@dayzofrust9985

Ya different but the same shout to the 13 dead cats Lou liked to wordplay which is so cool!!!

@alice9430

7y↑23

the most incredible uncles that you could call for a sunday barbecue

@Johnconno

3y↑1

Cool...So Cool.

@natetheannihilnater1886

1y↑1

I like both mixes pretty equally. Both bring something different and worthwhile. I think keeping the reverb on the drums would of been fine but it also works without it.

@icydelon

2y↑1

cant stop grooving to this lmfao

@emilysalfarlie1139

4y↑57

This sounds like something I would play if I was a cool kid in the 70s.

@emilysalfarlie1139

@Petro Phishhed Cool

@Johnconno

3y↑1

Except...You're not.
The Slow Cancellation Of The Future.

@helmutsecke3529

2y↑1

60’s

@cheapthrilll6323

2y↑1

It is. Except you weren't.

@harryknackers7892

Two extremely unlikely circumstances!

3 More Replies...

@andrescalleroruiz1555

3y↑22

Most important band in the Rock And Roll history. 1- Velvet 2- Stooges.

@65TossTrap

3y↑1

Both

@DfactorPop

2y↑1

Everything starts with the Velvets!

@dannyhernandez265

26w

Agreed. It’s a shame hardly anyone knows about the velvets in general public, compared to Led Zeppelin or Beatles, and I think the VU is better then both bands!

@godloveszaza

16w

@@dannyhernandez265without a doubt but you must remember nostalgia therefore biasness is the root to all of these peoples interpretation.

@dannyhernandez265

16w

@@godloveszaza very true. Don’t get me wrong I like the Beatles, but there’s bands like the VU that are just on a different level. I never heard of a song the Beatles have composed that’s a narration of a story with instrumental background… that’s who the velvets are… unique and experimental.

1 More Replies...

@TheBeauty6685

33w

Super assolo of electric guitar!

@chrisdaniels7760

8y↑16

It's a pity they didn't put this on Loaded. All because they switched labels.

@mariadagate1387

8y↑62

Anybody can imagine something coolest than this?
Sorry for my english ;-)

@RaoulFel

8y↑18

*Can anybody imagine something cooler than this? And no, my friend, no one can.

@gianlucafarro199

noto really

@gianlucafarro199

not really..pur musica is magic

@gianlucafarro199

not really..pur musica is magic

@gianlucafarro199

7y↑1

not really..pur musica is magic

3 More Replies...

@VanderVousVdV

5y↑16

@stanhenderson7393

4y↑9

"Hard being a man"

@lawriesmithe

4y↑2

@Petro Phishhed Shelley Albin

@fuckamericanidiot

4y↑1

"They're living out in the hall" - as in living outside the walls of his apartment and he can't stand it anymore.

@Luciano_S.

Thanks!

@cactaceous

3y↑2

Why are you typing the lyrics if you got like 4 mistakes in them?!

@user-ip9yu7lp1q

1y↑2

@jackjackson5239

Excellent,xxx

@groovedial5547

2y↑1

If she came back, it would be the same as before.

@Luciano_S.

I was there!

@julioamate2415

8y↑3

♡

@aroseonastar4733

2021‼️

@hirepimike

3y↑2

Inspiration for Modern Lovers “Road Runner.”

@natetheannihilnater1886

1y↑1

Maybe Johnathan heard this too, but i think Sister Ray was the main influence for that one.

@paulturner6127

7y↑4

cool as fuck

@nekocat90

7y↑2

I want to dance 😀!

@sapnasolanki4152

7y↑1

really feel like this is gonna be me in thee future

@clc-gl4jn

2y↑1

This is actually a good breakup song believe it or not...

@reuireuiop0

"well honey, I got something to say.
Now listen to this"

@user-ne6kl5ik6t

If anyone wondering about the guitar rhythm its 1 e a 2 and 3 e a 4 and 1 and 2 and a 3 and and

@bobm1618

4y↑12

Early Talking Heads anyone?

@kaeltkottmir

3y↑3

Pixies

@crazycats535

Yeah, def!!

@Sk8rboy420

50w

Did we ever find out if Shelly came back?

@theonlyantony

5y↑1

Prefer original mix but itbneeded to be louder

@odedfried-gaon2880

#OdedMusic #OdedFriedGaon #Audioded

@turdmuffing

9y↑6

it's good but it doesn't have the Velvet Underground due to remastering :/

@JosefRosam

5y↑1

what you mad bro?

@Bongofurry

Real stank. ¿

@rodrigoku6573

4y↑2

Its hard being a man

@rickstevens5711

But if Shelly would just come back....it'd be alrightFuckin' A......

@CoalMiningPolak

9y↑30

Thank god they fixed the awful 80's reverb on the snare, it nearly ruined the song for me.

@DoctorRazzArea4

9y↑13

Definitely not for me, I like the "VU" mix better, very cool fresh sound that reminds me of a convertible rolling down a highway. Never heard another song that sounded like it. For me, the production on the "VU" mix is more evocative of the songs subject matter. I can't be the only one who thinks that way either.

@BenCulture

9y↑5

***** And you AREN'T!
I'm definitely hearing guitar parts I didn't hear before, but yes, I miss the reverb on the drums. It was perfectly good. A little studio polish is no bad thing. Give me the Rock 'n' Roll Swindle mix of "Johnny B. Goode/Roadrunner" over the raw mix any day!

@Ratelzwatel

9y↑5

+Mark McWhirter
I must be spoilt by the "VU" mix, because I love the reverb.
Don''t want to choose, though. I want both mixes. :)

@BenCulture

9y↑4

+Ratelzwatel Exactly, both mixes have much to offer. The VU mix didn't just add reverb to the snare drum. It's a whole different mix, and I think Sterling's rapid-strumming riff stands out better in the VU mix.
If we're going to criticize anything, how about Lou's god-awful remake on his first solo album? He took everything cool out of the song! I mean that mostly in terms of music, but I even dislike the switch from "Sherrie" to "Candy". Candy Darling got more attention in Lou Reed's lyrics than she did in her actual career! Besides, "Sherrie" was obviously a variation on his real-life college girlfriend Shelly, which makes it more personal, so I like that better. I feel bad for Lou when I listen to his first album. He's over-medicated, overweight, totally unconfident. and re-working songs the VU did SO much better. The thing sold less than 10,000 copies. Let us praise Bowie and Ronson for rescuing Lou Reed's career!

@haupper

8y↑2

+CoalMiningPolak They might have done more than just add reverb on "VU". Those drums are uncharacteristically precise and on-the-beat which implies some 80s style sequencing or editing. This mix here sounds like Tucker's untouched drum track.

I still love the "VU" album though because they sound even more driving and machine-like with the high-tech mix than on the original four albums. I wish more groups from that era would go back and make fresh mixes straight from the studio tapes for improved or different sound. Bill Laswell did that with 70s Miles Davis for the Panthalassa album and it sounds fantastic.

5 More Replies...

@alaistermawhinney3992

kinda tune tho. too doors wannabe
still on fire in 2016

@Fabformcatering

Charlie Galliher
haha, excellent!

@reuireuiop0

Song wise, hey, yass !

Text wise though ..
Can't see Morrison come up with 13 dead cats, a dog wearing spats, or even a landlady wielding a mop to hit dat creepy boarder

@alaistermawhinney3992

7y↑1

direct mk ultra - firm - activists . esoteric princaples are all over this

@martyleyeti

7y↑1

? What do you mean exactly. I know MK Ultra : it's nazi-like experiements. You say "esoteric" so maybe you mean the Stargate program ? yet that doesn't make a point. This is not about it at all. so WTF !?