2000 Great Songs #1419: Romeo Had Juliette

This is our second visit to Lou Reed's 1989 classic New York, one of his strongest, most straightforwardly rocking albums in an indisputably erratic solo career. As with any topical album, New York is a little dated in spots, but "Romeo Had Juliette" holds up, capturing both the romance and darkness of 80s NYC. Lou's lyrics are at their most Dylanesque, sprawling storytelling that's highly specific yet still more broadly evocative. Plus it's got a crunchy, infectious yet no-frills hook that keeps it hopping right along.

Live:

Interview + performance:

German version from Bean Weevil:

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