Pass Thru Fire: The Collected Lyrics

by Lou Reed

Book Overview

As the songwriter who brought plainspoken realism to rock and roll (New York Times), Lou Reed has long been considered a keen-eyed observer of the American social scene, as well as a brilliant... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 030681630X
• ISBN13: 9780306816307
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Real words for real people

Lou Reeds lyrics are some of the most important and greatest in rock history. The poet for the real man, lou reed wrote for himself and nobody else.

Contains Some Of The Best Lyrics Ever Written!

Lou Reed is an incredible songwriter. His style is unlike any other. One of the best things about Lou Reed's music is his lyrics. Reed's lyrics are really brilliant. This book shows that. Pass Thru Fire is something fans of Lou and The Velvets should own. It contains almost all of the songs Lou has ever written from The Velvet Underground & Nico, to his latest masterpiece, Ecstasy. I am very happy that it contains his lyrics from his days with the Velvets, which is when he wrote some of his best lyrics. This book even contains some very rare songs, including the early versions of Sweet Jane and New Age, and little known songs such as Temptation Inside Your Heart and Ferryboat Bill. Also, having the lyrics printed in the strange ways that they are just adds to the experience of reading it. I think the book would be a little boring without that. Anyways, all fans of Lou should own this book.

Lou's Incredible Lyrics Augmented by Wonderful Design

The collected lyrics of Lou Reed hold up quite well on the page in "Pass Through Fire." This is rare for a poetry book from a rock legend, since most lyric collections from rock stars tend to be rather silly (e.g., Mr. Mojo Risin's poetry). Reed's lyrics explore the full magnitude of the modern urban man's consciousness in all its moments of triumph and strife. The primary impulse in Lou Reed's lyrics is the impetus towards freedom. Sometimes the individual cannot attain it, and is relegated to a life of tremendous despair. But the impulse always awakens, even if it arises from the spirit of the junkie lying in the gutter a day too late. Buy "Pass Through Fire" and read it to your children, because if you don't help them experience life as Lou Reed knows it they too might end up on the "Dirty Blvd" without the intellectual means to escape.

Thru the Fire with Sweet Lou

Hardbound lyrics from a hard-edged man. Some of the lyric-stories felt so intensely personal, it seemed almost as though I were trespassing on a personal experience. How brave and bold he is. Others were so visceral and raw, they were a challenge to read. (A challenge you should meet.) This book requires a lot of time and attention and it is so worthwhile. Thank you, Mr. Reed.

Today's Troubador

While other troubadors, notably Dylan and Springsteen, enjoy the rewards of being part of the general public's consciousness, Lou Reed's honesty and unflinching vision earm him the title of rock's most perceptive lyricst.This book contains virtually all of Reed's long and impressive catalogue. In pure realism we take a walk on the wild side with New York City's addicts, whores, scam-artists, thieves, beggers and every other form of gutter life.A broad perspective such as this -- in the hands of lesser poets -- would seem a tragic commentary, but Reed manages to infuse just enough human spirit and optimism to keep his scenes above total chaos.The losers greatly outnumber the winners in Reed's world, if you keep score. But most of Reed's characters suffer life's misfortunes from imposed, not self-inflicted, situations. The noble "Pass Through Fire," even in the face of certain disaster.Lou Reed's book of lyrics is indispensible. I call it equipment for living.Get a copy today!