Pass Thru Fire: The Collected Lyrics [Paperback]

Lou Reed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 2008

Containing a body of work that spans more than three decades, Pass Thru Fire is a stunning collection of the lyrics of an American original. Through his many incarnations-from proto punk to glam rocker to elder statesman of the avant garde-Lou Reed’s work has maintained an undeniable vividness and raw beauty, fueled by precise character studies and rendered with an admirable shot of moral ambiguity. Beginning with his formative days in the Velvet Underground and continuing through his remarkable solo career-albums like Transformer, Berlin, New York, Magic and Loss, and Ecstasy-Pass Thru Fire is crucial to an appreciation of Lou Reed, not only as a consummate underground musician, but as one of the truly significant poets of our time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

New York Post
"This paperback collection of Reed ruminations is not only a lyrical walk on the wild side, it's a typographic wonder."

“John Shelton Ivany Top 21”
“A comprehensive collection…A must-have for any fan…Crucial to understanding and appreciating Lou Reed."

Gallery & Studio, 2/09
“The revelation of Pass Thru Fire: The Collected Lyrics is how well many of Lou’s words hold up on the page.”

SwampLand.com
“I felt lucky when Pass Thru Fire arrived at my door. It made my day.”

Hartford Advocate, 3/7/09
“Perusing this 576-page volume should be a lesson in humility for any aspiring rock poet.”

About the Author

Lou Reed founded the legendary Velvet Underground in 1965 and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; Updated edition (December 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 030681630X
• ISBN-13: 978-0306816307
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #978,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Today's Troubador, February 1, 2000

By 

D. Sean Brickell (gorgeous Virginia Beach, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pass Thru Fire: The Collected Lyrics (Hardcover)

While other troubadors, notably Dylan and Springsteen, enjoy the rewards of being part of the general public's consciousness, Lou Reed's honesty and unflinching vision earm him the title of rock's most perceptive lyricst.

This book contains virtually all of Reed's long and impressive catalogue. In pure realism we take a walk on the wild side with New York City's addicts, whores, scam-artists, thieves, beggers and every other form of gutter life.

A broad perspective such as this -- in the hands of lesser poets -- would seem a tragic commentary, but Reed manages to infuse just enough human spirit and optimism to keep his scenes above total chaos.

The losers greatly outnumber the winners in Reed's world, if you keep score. But most of Reed's characters suffer life's misfortunes from imposed, not self-inflicted, situations. The noble "Pass Through Fire," even in the face of certain disaster.

Lou Reed's book of lyrics is indispensible. I call it equipment for living.

Get a copy today!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Contains Some Of The Best Lyrics Ever Written!, May 7, 2000

By 

M. Scagnelli (Brandon, Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pass Thru Fire: The Collected Lyrics (Hardcover)

Lou Reed is an incredible songwriter. His style is unlike any other. One of the best things about Lou Reed's music is his lyrics. Reed's lyrics are really brilliant. This book shows that. Pass Thru Fire is something fans of Lou and The Velvets should own. It contains almost all of the songs Lou has ever written from The Velvet Underground & Nico, to his latest masterpiece, Ecstasy. I am very happy that it contains his lyrics from his days with the Velvets, which is when he wrote some of his best lyrics. This book even contains some very rare songs, including the early versions of Sweet Jane and New Age, and little known songs such as Temptation Inside Your Heart and Ferryboat Bill. Also, having the lyrics printed in the strange ways that they are just adds to the experience of reading it. I think the book would be a little boring without that. Anyways, all fans of Lou should own this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lou's Incredible Lyrics Augmented by Wonderful Design, May 3, 2000

By 

x (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pass Thru Fire: The Collected Lyrics (Hardcover)

The collected lyrics of Lou Reed hold up quite well on the page in "Pass Through Fire." This is rare for a poetry book from a rock legend, since most lyric collections from rock stars tend to be rather silly (e.g., Mr. Mojo Risin's poetry). Reed's lyrics explore the full magnitude of the modern urban man's consciousness in all its moments of triumph and strife. The primary impulse in Lou Reed's lyrics is the impetus towards freedom. Sometimes the individual cannot attain it, and is relegated to a life of tremendous despair. But the impulse always awakens, even if it arises from the spirit of the junkie lying in the gutter a day too late. Buy "Pass Through Fire" and read it to your children, because if you don't help them experience life as Lou Reed knows it they too might end up on the "Dirty Blvd" without the intellectual means to escape.