Top 10 Best Songs by Lou Reed

A beautiful song from the depressive masterpiece Berlin. A painful portrait of a violent relationship and addiction. The music is deceptively quiet and acoustic. "Caroline says, as she gets up off the floor." The lyrics are so hard and sad that it's almost difficult to listen to, but the beauty of the melody holds you. A jewel of tragedy.

A rare moment of tenderness and nostalgia. Lou sings about his childhood and the wish to simply be loved. "I wanted to play football for the coach." The mood is warm and laid-back. It's a love letter to outsiders and to himself. A touching, human song without the usual irony.

A simple three-quarter riff that just keeps going. Lou sketches a grim picture of poverty in New York through the eyes of a child. It's a modern fairytale without a happy ending. The lyrics are sharp and socially critical. The music is driving and hypnotic. It's Reed as the ultimate city chronicler.

Originally from The Velvet Underground, but Lou's live solo versions (especially on Rock 'n' Roll Animal) are legendary. The intro with the two guitars is epic. It's an ode to ordinary people, musicians and outlaws. "Anyone who ever had a heart." It rocks, it swings and it celebrates life on the streets.

Born from a statement by Andy Warhol: "Vicious, you hit me with a flower." A proto-punk song with a slicing guitar. The lyrics are mean, funny and campy. It's about the shallow art world and cruel people. It's short, fierce and bursting with energy and attitude.

A philosophical song about class differences. The rich and the poor have their own problems, but Lou wants no part of either. "Me, I just don't care at all." The melody is beautiful and melancholic. It builds to an intense climax. One of his most underrated vocal performances.

A dreamy pop song about jealousy, wrapped in a sci-fi theme. David Bowie produced it and sings the high background choruses. The end ("Bom-bom-bom") is iconic. It sounds light, but the lyrics are about a man watching on TV as his girlfriend cheats on him. A perfect mix of sweet and bitter.

Perhaps the most beautiful ballad about forbidden love ever written (from his Velvet Underground era, but essential). "Linger on, your pale blue eyes." The music is so soft it almost stops. Lou sings whispering and intimate. It's about a love that can't be, but is all-consuming. Pure goosebumps.

The song with the most famous bassline in history (a double bass and bass guitar layered). Lou introduces the colorful figures from Andy Warhol's Factory. Holly, Candy, Little Joe... they all pass by. The saxophone solo at the end is the cherry on top. It's cool, controversial and incredibly relaxed. The definition of New York cool.

Is it a love song? Is it about heroin? Or is it just about a nice day in the park? The power lies in the ambiguity. The piano intro is somber and beautiful. The lyrics "You just keep me hanging on" sound desperate. The strings swell to an emotional climax. It's a song of devastating beauty and melancholy that touches everyone.