The Blue Mask

Like a lot of songs on The Blue Mask album, there is hidden meaning behind "The Blue Mask." On the surface, it's a song about violence, torture, and pain. However, on closer inspection, the song may really be Reed's response to the critics who attacked him throughout his storied 1970s career for, essentially, not making Velvet Underground music. In this light, lines like "They tied his arms behind his back to teach him how to swim" take on new meaning, possibly indicating Reed's feeling that critics wanted to tie his future creativity to his past, essentially tying him down while telling him to go forward. Further lines like "I've made love to my mother, killed my father and my brother...when the sin goes to far it's like a runaway car; it cannot be controlled" make a mockery out of Reed's perennial fascination with alternative sexuality and fringe elements of society. The latter half of the line especially lends credence to this analysis, as Reed felt that he was trapped inside the expectation of perversity that critics both praised and sneered at in his 1970s work. The blue mask here is a metaphor, the mask Reed wore so often in his career shelter himself from critics and fans who wanted less an artistic endeavor and more a regurgitation of Transformer or The Velvet Underground and Nico. Taking it off is symbolic for Reed to move forward in the music he wanted to make; indeed, the 1980s were the most profound years for Reed since 1967-1969.

In short, I believe this song is a watershed moment for Reed, both in shedding the spectre of his 1970s catalogue, skewering his critics, and setting the stage for the future (He produced 5 great albums in the 1980s). The music cuts like a scythe; truly impressive guitar work from both Reed and Robert Quine, and impeccable bass by Fernando Saunders. In my opinion, this is the best song ever written, and only competes with "Heroin" as my favorite song penned by Lou Reed.