Lou Reed
Lyric guide

Smalltown

Read Smalltown lyrics by Lou Reed on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

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Page type: lyric reference Artist: Lou Reed Canonical path: /lou-reed/smalltown Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

Smalltown

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When you're growing up in a small town

When you're growing up in a small town

When you're growing up in a small town

You say: No one famous ever came from here

When you're growing up in a small town

And you're having a nervous breakdown

And you think that you'll never escape it

Yourself or the place that you live

Where did picasso come from

There's no michelangelo coming from pittsburgh

If art is the tip of the iceberg

I'm the part sinking below

When you're growing up in a small town

Bad skin, bad eyes, gay and fatty

People look at you funny

When you're in a small town

My father worked in construction

It's not something for which I'm suited

Oh, what is something for which you are suited?

Getting out of here

I hate being odd in a small town

If they stare let them stare in New York city

As this pink eyed painting albino

How far can my fantasy go?

I'm no dali coming from pittsburgh

No adorable lisping capote

My hero, oh, do you think I could meet him?

I'd camp out at his front door

There is only one good thing about small town

There is only one good use for a small town

There is only one good thing about small town

You know that you want to get out

When you're growing up in a small town

You know you'll grow down in a small town

There is only one good use for a small town

You hate it and you'll know you have to leave

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Who performs "Smalltown"?

Lou Reed performs "Smalltown", and this lyric page sits inside the Lou Reed catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Smalltown"?

Yes. The related section below points to Berlin and City Lights with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Lou Reed?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Lou Reed's lyric pages.

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