Lou Reed
Lyric guide

Work

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

Lou Reed visibility1 visits Video on page
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

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

Work

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

Andy was a catholic

The ethic ran through his bones

He lived alone with his mother

Collecting gossip and toys

Every sunday when he went to church

He'd kneel in his pew and say

"it's work, all that matters is work."

He was a lot of things

What i remember most he'd say

"i've got to bring home the bacon

Someone's got to bring home the roast."

He'd get to the factory early

If you'd ask him he'd tell you straight out

It's work

No matter what i did it never seemed enough

He said i was lazy, i said i was young

He said, "how many songs did you write ?"

I'd written zero, i'd lied and said, "ten."

"you won't be young forever

You should have written fifteen"

It's work

"you ought to make things big

People like it that way

And the songs with the dirty words

Make sure your record them that way"

Andy liked to stir up trouble

He was funny that way

He said, "it's just work

Andy sat down to talk one day

He said decide what you want

Do you want to expand your parameters

Or play museums like some dilettante

I fired him on the spot

He got red and called me a rat

It was the worst word that he could think of

And i've never seen him like that

It's work, i thought he said it's just work

Andy said a lot of things

I stored them all away in my head

Sometimes when i can't decide what i should do

I think what would andy have said

He'd probably say you think too much

That's 'cause there's work that you don't want to do

It's work, the most important thing is work

It's work, the most important thing is work

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Work"?

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

Are there related songs to explore after "Work"?

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.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on Work yet.