Quotes from Lou Reed

I can't do anything I want to. I mean, I can't have my own TV show. I can't have my own movie. But within my little world, nobody tells me what to put on the albums.

I write whatever shows up. That's good enough for me. I'm part of the first generation that wants to still do original material and not tour around as an oldies act.

One thing I've often thought is that I never want to tell anybody else what to do. It's hard enough to figure out what I want to do.

People can vote for who ever they want. That doesn't mean I have to go near them.

One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you're into jazz.

All the people have gone to war leaving no interrogator to mind.

Music should come crashing out of your speakers and grab you, and the lyrics should challenge whatever preconceived notions that listener has.

You're a musician: You play. That's what you do.

For a while, I felt a little self-impelled to write Lou Reed Kind of songs. I should have understood that a Lou Reed song was anything I wanted to write about.

I am very emotionally affected by sound. Sounds are the inexplicable... There is a sound you hear in your head, it's your nerves, or your blood running.

I don't like nostalgia unless it's mine.

I love women, I think they're great.

One of my rules is: Never listen to your old stuff.

I would like to live to a ripe old age and raise watermelons in Wyoming.

The currents rage so deep upon us, this is the age of video violence.

I don't believe in dressing up reality. I don't believe in using makeup to make things look smoother.

I cleaned up my act because otherwise I would have kicked the bucket.

I like druggy downtown kids who spray paint walls and trains. I like their lack of training, their primitive technique. I think it hurts you, when you stay too long in school.

I always thought martial arts was the most modern choreography we could have right now, and I always wanted to put it to music.

I can concentrate on my art.

Kill them now, cause I need some kicks. I need some kicks, I'm getting bored.

I don't mind a repetitive chorus; I mind repetitive verse. I mean, it's the same amount of space. Why would you have only three diamonds if you can have six?

The most important thing is work.

People think that I work out but it's all t'ai chi.