Of course this is about the person in the song suddenly coming to a conclusion or realization of a state of enlightenment or truth. I think I've lived this song during a short brief and perhaps regrettable time in my life, so let me explain some things that people have not noticed or overlooked so far:
Beginning to see the light works in two ways. One as explained before and another that is more apparent by observing the next section of the song. It is quite a literal interpretation: he is beginning to see the light, as in sun up. As any night owl knows, when the sun comes up, it's definitely time for bed. You might first initially think the person wakes up in the morning and drinks wine and then later at night eats breakfast... no, he sleeps all day, wakes up at night, eats breakfast, is up until sunrise, enjoys the peace and solitude of the wee morning with some wine. It's a backwards life, acting the fool, playing but not acting hard, not working hard...
I think Lou Reed enjoys double meanings but tries about 80% of the time to execute with literal meanings. Such is the "one is black and one is blue" line. We all first think of pairing "black and blue" as a bruise. And the idea of getting beat is probably not too far from his intent. However, one is black and one is blue. One side is dark and dismal and the other is sad and blue... not very good alternatives. He refers to "two of you" but I think this is the person in the song's self in his dream asking which of the two to be. The two options aren't the best, so the person is confused.
Your analysis of the "black and blue" line makes sense in context. Thanks! I always listen to this song as irreverent humor, but given the abstract quality of his lyrics...I can see myself taking the disillusionment angle.
Your analysis of the "black and blue" line makes sense in context. Thanks! I always listen to this song as irreverent humor, but given the abstract quality of his lyrics...I can see myself taking the disillusionment angle.
Of course this is about the person in the song suddenly coming to a conclusion or realization of a state of enlightenment or truth. I think I've lived this song during a short brief and perhaps regrettable time in my life, so let me explain some things that people have not noticed or overlooked so far:
Beginning to see the light works in two ways. One as explained before and another that is more apparent by observing the next section of the song. It is quite a literal interpretation: he is beginning to see the light, as in sun up. As any night owl knows, when the sun comes up, it's definitely time for bed. You might first initially think the person wakes up in the morning and drinks wine and then later at night eats breakfast... no, he sleeps all day, wakes up at night, eats breakfast, is up until sunrise, enjoys the peace and solitude of the wee morning with some wine. It's a backwards life, acting the fool, playing but not acting hard, not working hard...
I think Lou Reed enjoys double meanings but tries about 80% of the time to execute with literal meanings. Such is the "one is black and one is blue" line. We all first think of pairing "black and blue" as a bruise. And the idea of getting beat is probably not too far from his intent. However, one is black and one is blue. One side is dark and dismal and the other is sad and blue... not very good alternatives. He refers to "two of you" but I think this is the person in the song's self in his dream asking which of the two to be. The two options aren't the best, so the person is confused.
Your analysis of the "black and blue" line makes sense in context. Thanks! I always listen to this song as irreverent humor, but given the abstract quality of his lyrics...I can see myself taking the disillusionment angle.
Your analysis of the "black and blue" line makes sense in context. Thanks! I always listen to this song as irreverent humor, but given the abstract quality of his lyrics...I can see myself taking the disillusionment angle.