Lou Reed New York
May 28th, 2008 Posted in Criticism, Music, Popular Culture
In 1989 Lou Reed released what was probably his most critical political work with New York. One may call it a “concept” album, as each song reads like a chapter in a book. Reed tackles social issues from discrimination, environmental degradation, poverty, drug abuse, media manipulation, and domestic violence. Behind every song, the red thread that runs throughout the album is an unjust American economic system, perpetuated by elites and sustained by middle class apathy.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
“Give me your hungry, your tired, your poor I’ll piss on ‘em
that’s what the Statue of Bigotry says
Your poor huddled masses, let’s club ‘em to death
and get it over with and just dump ‘em on the boulevard”
– contrasted with 1984’s New Sensations (my favourite Lou NY portrait):
“Don’t want to talk politics today
I feel too good, let me have my way
High in the city
high in the city”
June 17th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Hi Bent,
Thanks for stopping by. Sorry for the incredibly slow reply.
I need to get a copy of New Sensations.