There's so much happening in these songs. Lou Reed is underappreciated as a songwriter, and a guitar player, and a band front-man, and maybe in general, who knows? Was he a nice guy? Probably not, but who are we to throw stones? I'm faking it, for my part. And how many of us can offer the defense that we were subjected to electro-shock therapy for bullshit reasons by reactionary parents and government officials? A few that I've known, unfortunately. (It forgives a lot, as excuses go.)
These songs, this one among a few in particular, create remarkable little worlds. The narrative seems to start out playfully, almost flippantly, but then other narratives arise as though out of fog, or as seen through dark glass that may or may not become more clear as the song goes on.
Playing the fool, acting hard, and then back to playfulness! And then a challenge: here comes two of you, which one do you choose?
I thought that you were my friend? And then the big finish, the reveal. The curtain is pulled away, and we are faced with the artistic dilemma at the heart of the song: how does it feel to be loved?
This is serious stuff, folks. It deserves your utmost consideration.
Beginning to See the Light
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Some people work very hard,
But still they never get it right.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Now I'm beginning to see the light.
Wine in the morning
And some breakfast at night.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Here we go again
Playing the fool again.
Here we go again
Acting hard again.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Now I'm beginning to see the light.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
I'm beginning to see the light.
I wore my teeth in my hands
So I could mess the hair of the night
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Hey I'm beginning to see the light.
I met myself in a dream
And I just wanna tell you - everything is alright
I'm beginning to see the light.
Here comes two of you,
Which one will you chose?
One is black, one is blue.
Don't know just what to do.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Now I'm beginning to see the light.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
Some people work very hard
But still they never get it right
Well I'm beginning to see the light.
There are problems in these times
But none of them are mine
Baby, I'm beginning to see the light.
Here we go again,
I thought that you were my friend.
Here we go again,
I thought that you were my friend.
How does it feel to be loved?
How does it feel to be loved?
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