Why is it that Lou Reed often gets called "the poet laureate of New York" or a "rock n roll poet?" I love the Velvets and some of Reed's solo material but I don't understand why he gets labelled a poet. His lyrics arent particular abstract or difficult to understand, unlike say Patti Smith, Richard Hell or mid to late '60s period Dylan. In fact Reed's writing is often very clear and lucid. Wouldnt it be more accurate to say that he has a storytelling style than a poetic one?
What do y'all think?
There’s a dream that I see, I pray it can be Look 'cross the land, shake this land - "Maybe Not", C. Marshall
Posts: 65 | Location: "Out on tour with Smashing Pumpkins, nature kids, they don't have no function" | Registered: 20 January 2007
Originally posted by Moon Pix: Why is it that Lou Reed often gets called "the poet laureate of New York" or a "rock n roll poet?" I love the Velvets and some of Reed's solo material but I don't understand why he gets labelled a poet. His lyrics arent particular abstract or difficult to understand, unlike say Patti Smith, Richard Hell or mid to late '60s period Dylan. In fact Reed's writing is often very clear and lucid. Wouldnt it be more accurate to say that he has a storytelling style than a poetic one?
What do y'all think?
I think you're operating under the assumption that poetry has to be abstract, which isn't true. There are countless examples of poetry throughout history which tells a story rather than just trying to convey emotions in an abstract manner. The former has actually been around a lot longer than the latter.
----- We were wasps with new wings, now we're bugs in the jar.
Posts: 5486 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
I wouldn't call myself a Loe Reed expert, but I do sort of agree with Moon Pix. I've never found his lyrics to be mind-blowing. He is a good lyricist, however. Seems like "poet" could be taking it a little far, though. Feels similiar to Jim Morrison's labeling as a poet. Good, but no where near the writing ability of Ginsberg, Stevens, or Whitman.
Posts: 1376 | Location: Valparaiso, IN | Registered: 01 July 2006
Lou's a poet, no question. If only he was as brilliant with his music as with his lyrics/delivery. Talk about a flash of early brilliance and much messy musical meandering since - still, I guess that's what large quantities of hard drugs do to ya brain if you live long enough!
Trust in God but remember to tie up your camel
Posts: 145 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 07 January 2007
Originally posted by ericg75: I think you're operating under the assumption that poetry has to be abstract, which isn't true.
Maybe but I just always felt he's coming more from journalistic/documentarian point of view than a poetic one. The lyrics to a lot of the Velvets songs seem too straight forward to me to be poetic. Don't get me wrong, I love the the Velvets and Reed's gritty street talk is a big part of the reason but Im not so sure it counts as poetry.
Then agaim the lyrics to soe of the songs, "All Tommorrow's Parties" being a good example, can have so much read into them.
There’s a dream that I see, I pray it can be Look 'cross the land, shake this land - "Maybe Not", C. Marshall
Posts: 65 | Location: "Out on tour with Smashing Pumpkins, nature kids, they don't have no function" | Registered: 20 January 2007
I just wanted to note that comparing poetry and lyrics is like comparing apples and oranges. You can be a great poet and a bad lyricist and vice versa. Allen Ginsberg was a good poet but when he had a go at songwriting, his songs and lyrics were crap. If a songwriter's lyrics hold up well without the music, that's fine, but lyrics are designed to be sung, not read, and should not be taken (or judged) out of context.
Posts: 151 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 25 April 2006
I agree, however lyrics and poetry are very much a part of the same stimulating emphasis of words, or to steal Wordsworth's definition, poetry is "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." In my mind, Reed and many other gifted lyricists share this facet with the great poets of any age (although they share almost nothing in style and rhythm).
