--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can't ask me to explain the lyrics…" description: "\"You can't ask me to explain the lyrics because I won't do it...I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it. That's why I sur..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/lou-reed-1654_always-believe_you-can-t-ask-me-to-explain-the-lyrics-b_1650490.jpg" --- # You can't ask me to explain the lyrics because I won't do… ![“You can't ask me to explain the lyrics because I won't do it...I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it. That's why I survived because I still believe I've got something to say. ... I don't like overdubs, never liked them. ... The music business doesn't interest me…” quote by Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/lou-reed-1654_always-believe_you-can-t-ask-me-to-explain-the-lyrics-b_1650490.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/lou-reed-1654_always-believe_you-can-t-ask-me-to-explain-the-lyrics-b_1650490.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/lou-reed-1654_always-believe_you-can-t-ask-me-to-explain-the-lyrics-b_1650490.jpg) > “You can't ask me to explain the lyrics because I won't do it...I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it. That's why I survived because I still believe I've got something to say. ... I don't like overdubs, never liked them. ... The music business doesn't interest me anymore...Don't the people you're around shape the music, is that what you're saying? Everything does. ... I'm not joking around when I've said occasionally, trying to learn how to play a D chord properly has been a very big thing for me.” [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes personal authenticity and belief in one's voice as essential for survival in a commercial industry. **In simple terms:** Believe in your own voice despite industry pressures. Key Takeaway Stay true to your artistic vision. Themes authenticity creativity industry self‑belief Mood defiant reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - songwriting - recording - live performance - career decisions Key Concepts personal expression artistic integrity musical identity Questions to Reflect On - How do you protect your creative voice? - What compromises are you willing to make? A Different Perspective Commercial demands can dilute artistic truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-things/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [I still believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-still-believe/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Joking around](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joking-around/) [Lyrics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lyrics/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-business/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songwriting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songwriting/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not joking around when I've said occasionally, trying to learn how to play a D chord properly has been a very big thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-not-joking-around-when-i-ve-said-occasionally-trying-to-learn-how/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [You can't ask me to explain the lyrics because I won't do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/you-can-t-ask-me-to-explain-the-lyrics-because-i-won-t-do-it/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Don't the people you're around shape the music, is that what you're saying? Everything does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/don-t-the-people-you-re-around-shape-the-music-is-that-what-you-re/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [There's so many ways you can play one chord progression that the repetition isn't ever exactly the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vile/there-s-so-many-ways-you-can-play-one-chord-progression-that-the/) [Kurt Vile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vile/) > [I've seen some female players, and they get up there and play an A chord and leave... and it's not a good representation. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orianthi/i-ve-seen-some-female-players-and-they-get-up-there-and-play-an-a/) [Orianthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orianthi/) > [When I picked up guitar, it wasn't like, 'OK, I'm going to be Kenny Chesney.' It was like, 'I want to play a chord,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-combs/when-i-picked-up-guitar-it-wasn-t-like-ok-i-m-going-to-be-kenny/) [Luke Combs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-combs/) > [I got bored with the old way - it came too easy. I worked until I could play and chord changes at any tempo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-ellis/i-got-bored-with-the-old-way-it-came-too-easy-i-worked-until-i-could/) [Don Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-ellis/) > [The program I use is called MED Soundstudio. It's basically a column of numbers that relate to pitch, duration, the type of sound. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-tundra/the-program-i-use-is-called-med-soundstudio-it-s-basically-a-column/) [Max Tundra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-tundra/) > [Why play a chord when you can play one note?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kapranos/why-play-a-chord-when-you-can-play-one-note/) [Alex Kapranos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kapranos/) > [After 35 years of bone-crushing rock guitar playing, I'm finally starting to get my head out of the harmonic sand and learning how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gilbert/after-35-years-of-bone-crushing-rock-guitar-playing-i-m-finally/) [Paul Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gilbert/) > [That's why I survived because I still believe I've got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/that-s-why-i-survived-because-i-still-believe-i-ve-got-something-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [My mother made me listen to Carnatic music saying that only then I will be able to appreciate any good music. But what this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/y-g-mahendran/my-mother-made-me-listen-to-carnatic-music-saying-that-only-then-i/) [Y. G. Mahendran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/y-g-mahendran/) > [Do you hear what the music is saying? 'Come follow me and you will find the way. Your mistakes can also lead you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/do-you-hear-what-the-music-is-saying-come-follow-me-and-you-will-find/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [We believe that with our music, we should be saying exactly what we think. We want to speak up for people who don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-marlow/we-believe-that-with-our-music-we-should-be-saying-exactly-what-we/) [Maddie Marlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-marlow/) > [I saw this DJ playing music and saying things to the kids. They would answer him back, and I say, 'That's a great idea.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-robinson/i-saw-this-dj-playing-music-and-saying-things-to-the-kids-they-would/) [Sylvia Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-robinson/) ## More by Lou Reed > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Perfect Night is minimalistic and that's what makes it so forceful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/perfect-night-is-minimalistic-and-that-s-what-makes-it-so-forceful/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [I think life is far too short to concentrate on your past. I rather look into the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-think-life-is-far-too-short-to-concentrate-on-your-past-i-rather/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [The only thing constantly changing is change, and change is always changing for the worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/the-only-thing-constantly-changing-is-change-and-change-is-always/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [The first generation of CDs sounded terrible. Any chance to remaster would make the music sound better than what was already out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/the-first-generation-of-cds-sounded-terrible-any-chance-to-remaster/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Perfect Night has that magic and it has the raw energy that grabs you by the throat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/perfect-night-has-that-magic-and-it-has-the-raw-energy-that-grabs-you/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Eve kissed Able, that's how he got murdered by Cain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/eve-kissed-able-that-s-how-he-got-murdered-by-cain/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Music should come crashing out of your speakers and grab you, and the lyrics should challenge whatever preconceived notions that listener has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/music-should-come-crashing-out-of-your-speakers-and-grab-you-and-the/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Underachievers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose except your fright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/underachievers-of-the-world-unite-you-have-nothing-to-lose-except/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [“There's a bit of magic in everything And then some loss to even things out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/there-s-a-bit-of-magic-in-everything-and-then-some-loss-to-even/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [You've gotta blow the roof off of your heart and let the universe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/you-ve-gotta-blow-the-roof-off-of-your-heart-and-let-the-universe-in/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [Sometimes, you've got to be in a place. You're just another guy. You can just blend in. I live out in the wilds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/sometimes-you-ve-got-to-be-in-a-place-you-re-just-another-guy-you-can/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [How could you even dream or think something of someone who is as uncommercial as I am?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/how-could-you-even-dream-or-think-something-of-someone-who-is-as/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [All the people have gone to war leaving no interrogator to mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/all-the-people-have-gone-to-war-leaving-no-interrogator-to-mind/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [I always thought martial arts was the most modern choreography we could have right now, and I always wanted to put it to music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-always-thought-martial-arts-was-the-most-modern-choreography-we/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) [Explore all 219 Lou Reed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) ## More Always believe quotes > [I always believed that photography was subjective, interpretive and certainly did not represent the truth, but I did think that its status as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-ritchin/i-always-believed-that-photography-was-subjective-interpretive-and/) [Fred Ritchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-ritchin/) > [I've always believed that humans are good at heart. But there's always the exception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carlson/i-ve-always-believed-that-humans-are-good-at-heart-but-there-s-always/) [Amy Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carlson/) > [I've always believed that service to others is rent we pay for our time on this planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-curtis/i-ve-always-believed-that-service-to-others-is-rent-we-pay-for-our/) [Tony Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-curtis/) > [I've always believed that the desire must come from within, not as a result of being driven by coaches or parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-fraser/i-ve-always-believed-that-the-desire-must-come-from-within-not-as-a/) [Dawn Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-fraser/) > [I always believe in doing new things and using new materials that I have never used or that I didn't like for a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miuccia-prada/i-always-believe-in-doing-new-things-and-using-new-materials-that-i/) [Miuccia Prada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miuccia-prada/) > [The messaging campaign that stigmatized the term feminist definitely worked on me when I was a teenager. I always believed in equality, but there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindy-west/the-messaging-campaign-that-stigmatized-the-term-feminist-definitely/) [Lindy West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindy-west/) > [I have always believed that anybody with a little guts and the desire to apply himself can make it, can make anything he wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-shoemaker/i-have-always-believed-that-anybody-with-a-little-guts-and-the-desire/) [Bill Shoemaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-shoemaker/) > [So like any football or basketball coach, you always always believe you're going to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/so-like-any-football-or-basketball-coach-you-always-always-believe/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [I've always believed that a good twist is one that, when it is presented to the audience, half of them say, 'I saw that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-lindelof/i-ve-always-believed-that-a-good-twist-is-one-that-when-it-is/) [Damon Lindelof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-lindelof/) > [We hate guys who date more than one woman at a time. I've always believed that what's unacceptable in one sex should, by definition,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/we-hate-guys-who-date-more-than-one-woman-at-a-time-i-ve-always/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [Just always believe in yourself. "Champions adjust." It's a line I learned from Billie Jean King, and sometimes your dream adjusts. Be willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/just-always-believe-in-yourself-champions-adjust-it-s-a-line-i/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [The hardest thing to get is true emotion. I always believe you need to earn that with the audience. You can't just tell them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-hardest-thing-to-get-is-true-emotion-i-always-believe-you-need-to/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [I have always believed that the ultimate purpose of economic policies and development policy is to meet the basic needs of our people. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manmohan-singh/i-have-always-believed-that-the-ultimate-purpose-of-economic-policies/) [Manmohan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manmohan-singh/) > [Whatever distrust we may have of the sincerity of those who converse with us, we always believe they will tell us more truth than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/whatever-distrust-we-may-have-of-the-sincerity-of-those-who-converse/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [One of my quests from the beginning has been to inform people, educate people, sort of train people, if you will, to spot liberalism.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/one-of-my-quests-from-the-beginning-has-been-to-inform-people-educate/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) Browse all 397 Always believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can't ask me to explain the lyrics because I won't do it...I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it. 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