From Mistrial (1986) by Lou Reed

Mistrial (Reed) - 3:20

When I was six, I had my first lady
When I was eight, my first drink
When I was fourteen, I was speeding in the street
What could anybody say to me

You can call me Mister, you can call me Sir
But don't you point your finger at me

I want a mistrial to clear my name
I want a mistrial in front of the people
I want a mistrial to clear my name
I want to bring my case to the people of New York City

When I was thirty, my attitude was bad
If I said differently it'd be a lie
But there's some smarts you learn down in the street
That a college education can't buy

You can call me Mister, or you can call me Sir
But don't you point your finger at me, oh

I want a mistrial to clear my name
I want a mistrial in front of the people
I want a mistrial to clear my name
I want to bring my case to in front of the people at New York City

You can call me Mister, or you can call me Sir
But don't you point your finger at me, yeah

I want a mistrial to clear my name
I want a mistrial in front of the people, I, I
I want a mistrial to clear my name
I want to bring my case to the people at New York City

And I said "M-I-S-T-R-I-A-L", mistrial
In front of all the people
I said "M-I-S-T-R-I-A-L", mistrial
In front of the people of New York City

Mistrial
.... the people of New York City
I said mistrial
"M-I-S-T-R-I-A-L" ....

No Money Down (Reed) - 3:09

I know you're disappointed
In the way I handled things
You're thinking I misread the times
And acted cowardly
And since what I do affects us both
And you feel that I let you down

You're paying a price when there is no price to pay
Lovers trust, No Money Down
You're paying a price when there is no price to pay
Lovers trust, No Money Down

(Hey! lover)
(Hey! lover)
(lover)

They say there's someone for everyone
And for everyone a someone
And some tattoo roses across their chests
With a heart that says Rollo
And some work without a Public Relations man
And do their best work, baby, out of sight

You're paying a price when there is no price to pay
Lovers trust, No Money Down
You're paying a price when there is no price to pay
Lovers trust, No Money Down

(Hey! lover)
(Hey! lover)
(lover)

Now I have known a hero or two
And they all learn to swim through mud
And they all got boots caked with dirty soles
That they get from Squashing bugs
So when push comes to shove get the Harley revved up
The moon can eclipse even the sun

You're paying a price when there is no price to pay
Lovers trust, No Money Down
You're paying a price when there is no price to pay
Lovers trust, No Money Down

Lovers trust, No Money Down (Hey! lover)
Yes, lovers trust, No Money Down (Hey! lover)
Lovers trust, No Money Down (Hey! hey! lover)
Lovers trust, No Money Down (Hey! hey! lover)
(Hey! hey! lover)
(Hey! hey! lover)
...

Outside (Reed) - 3:02

Outside the world's a mindless child
Outside
Outside reflects the worst of styles
Outside
Inside when you're in my arms
A mindless child is still to be borne
Inside, baby, when we come inside

Outside the politics of greed
Outside
Outside misbehavior seethes
Outside
Mindless repression dominates the street
While I kneel down and kiss your feet
Inside, baby, when we come inside
Outside

Outside they don't think they breed
Outside
Outside emotion determines need
Outside
Outside the world's a mindless child
That we could bring to life in your arms
Inside, baby, when we come inside

Outside the politics of hate an greed
Outside
Outside the world's a mindless child
Outside
But when I hold you in my arms
It's a mindless child that you want
Inside, no matter 'bout the world Outside

Inside, a baby's what you want inside

Don't Hurt a Woman (Reed) - 3:59

I was angry, I said things I shouldn't say
But please don't turn your back
Sometimes I get so upset
But I take it all back

Please don't go, I know I was wrong
Sometimes I don't know what comes over me

But I try to remember
Don't hurt a Woman
Don't hurt a Woman

I was angry, I said things I shouldn't say
I must have lost control
Sometimes something clicks in my head
And I'm not myself anymore

That wasn't me, you can't believe everything you see
Let's make believe I never said a word

And I'll try to remember
Don't hurt a Woman
Try to remember
Don't hurt a Woman
Try to remember
Don't hurt a Woman
I'll try to remember
Don't hurt a Woman
'Cause I lovin' you
So long

Video Violence (Reed) - 5:35

The currents rage deep inside us
This is the age of Video Violence
The currents rage so deep inside us
This is the age of Video Violence

Up in the morning drinking his coffee
Turns on the TV to some slasher movie
Cartoon-like women, tied up and sweaty
Painting and screaming, thank you, have a nice day

The currents rage, the dawn's upon us
This is the age of Video Violence
The currents rage so deep inside us
This is the age of Video Violence

Na Na Na Na Na Na
Na Na Na Na Na Na

His heart is pounding he switches the channel
Looking for something, other than rape or murder
Or beatings or torture, but except for Walt Disney
It's a twisted alliance, this age of Video Violence

The currents rage, the dawn's upon us
This is the age of Video Violence
The current rage so deep inside us
This is the age of Video Violence

Down at his job his boss sits there screaming
If he loses his job, life looses its meaning
His son is in high school, there's nothing he's learning
He sits by the TV, watching Corvettes exploding, 'cause

The currents rage, the dawn's upon us
This is the age of Video Violence
No age of reason landing upon us
This is the age of Video Violence

Na Na Na Na Na Na
Na Na Na Na Na Na

Down at a bar some woman is topless
She's acned and scarred, her hair is a mess
While he shoves $5 down her exotic panties
The video jukebox is playing Madonna
While just down the block at some local theater
They're grabbing their crotches at the 13th beheading
As the dead rise to live, the live sink to die
The currents are deep and raging inside

The currents rage so deep inside us
This is the age of Video Violence
No age of reason is landing upon us
This is the age of Video Violence

Na Na Na Na Na Na ...

Our good working stiff looks a whore in the eye
Ties her to a bed while he beats her back bloody and then back
At home, drinking more instant coffee
Calls some red-neck evangelist that he's seen on TV and says

The currents rage, the dawn's upon us
This is the age of Video Violence
No age of reason is landing upon us
This is the age of Video Violence

The currents rage so deep upon us
This is the age of Video violence
The currents rage so deep down inside us
This is the age of Video Violence

Na Na Na Na Na Na ...

Spit It out (Reed) - 3:39

If there's rage inside you so you cannot think
Spit it out
If you get so angry that you cannot speak
Spit it out
Talk to him or her or it
And tell them where they can put it
Spit it out, spit it out
You got to talk to him or her or it
And take aim with your mouth and spit
Spit it out, spit it out

If you get worked over at your job
Spit it out
If a taxi almost runs you down
Spit it out
You got to take aim with your mouth and speak
And give it to them right between the teeth
Spit it out, spit it out
Talk to him or her or it
And take aim with your mouth and spit
Spit it out, spit it out

If you're patient and you have the time
Spit it out
Wait till they're on the decline
Spit it out
The Chinese say you meet the hard with the soft
The Yin with the Yang, the down with the up, oh
Spit it out, spit it out
You got to grab that dumb he she or it
And give it to them right between the teeth
Spit it out, spit it out

Spit it out, babe, spit it out
Hey

The Original Wrapper (Reed) - 3:37

I was sittin' home on the West End
Watchin' cable TV with a female friend
We were watchin' the news, the world's in a mess
The poor and the hungry, a world in distress
Herpes, AIDS, the Middle East at full throttle
Better check that sausage, before you put it in the waffle
And while you're at it - check what's in the batter
Make sure that candy's in the Original Wrapper

Hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure that candy's in the Original Wrapper

Reagan says abortion's murder
While he's looking at Cardinal O'Connor
Look at Jerry Falwell Louis Farrakhan
Both talk religion and the brotherhood of man
They both sound like they belong in Teheran
Watch out, they're goin' full throttle
Better check that sausage, before you stick it in the waffle
And while you're at it better check, what's in the batter
Make sure that candy's in the Original Wrapper

Hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure that candy's in the Original Wrapper

White against white, Black against Jew
It seems like it's 1942
The baby sits in front of MTV
Watching violent fantasies
While Dad guzzles beer with his favorite sport
Only to find his heroes are all coked up
It's classic, original, the same old story
The politics of hate in a new surrounding
Hate if it's good and hate if it's bad
And if this all don't make you mad
I'll keep yours and I'll keep mine
Nothing sacred and nothing divine
Father, bless me, we're at full throttle
Better check that sausage, before you put it in the waffle
And while you're at it better check that batter
Make sure the candy's in the Original Wrapper

Hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure that candy's in the Original Wrapper, hey, hey

I was born in the United States
I grew up hard but I grew up straight
I saw a lack of morals and a lack of concern
A feeling that there's nowhere to turn
Yippies, Hippies and upwardly mobile Yuppies
Don't treat me like I'm some dumb lackey
'Cause the murderer lives while the victims die
I'd much rather see it an eye for an eye
A heart for a heart, a brain for a brain
And if this all makes you feel a little insane
Kick up your heels, turn the music up loud
Pick up your guitar and look out at the crowd
And say, "Don't mean to come on sanctimonious
But life's got me nervous and little pugnacious
Lugubrious so I give a salutation
And rock on out to beat really stupid
Ohh poop ah doo and how do you do
Hip hop gonna bop till I drop."
Watch out world, comin' at you full throttle
Better check that sausage, before you put it in the waffle
And while you're at it better check that batter
Make sure the candy's in the Original Wrapper

Hey, hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure the candy's in the Original Wrapper
Hey, pitcher, better check that batter
Make sure the candy's in the Original Wrapper, hey, hey, hey

Mama's Got a Lover (Reed) - 4:12

Mama's got a lover
A painter I am told
She's getting out of real estate
For the art scene down in old Soho
Art scene down in old Soho

Mama's got a lover
He owns a gallery
She says he likes collages but
The money's in graffiti
Money's in graffiti

Mama's got a lover
I met him yesterday
She says she hopes I like him
Maybe I'll send him a card on father's day
Father's day

Mama's got a lover
They're backing a film
It's about a working mother
Who gives birth to black and white Siamese twins
Black and white Siamese twins

Mama's got a lover
He's got something to say
He says he's into dirt and rot
The essence of "urban decay"
"Urban decay"

Mama's got a lover
We met yesterday
She says she hopes I like him
I'll send him a card on father's day
On father's day

Mama's got a lover
I met him yesterday
She's starting a new chapter
I wish she was on the last page
The last page

Mama's got a lover
We met yesterday
She says she hopes I like him
I'll send him a card on father's day
Father's day

Mama's got a lover (Mama's got a lover)
Mama's got a lover (Mama's got a lover), oh
Mama's got a lover (Mama's got a lover)
My mama's got a lover (Mama's got a lover)

Mama's got a lover ...

I Remember You (Reed) - 3:13

I remember you
I remember me
I remember
I remember how things used to be
I remember every word that you said
I remember, how could I forget
I remember, I remember you
(I remember, I remember)

I remember you
I remember your old address
And I remember
How could I forget
I remember thinking how my luck changed
I remember being so amazed
I remember, I remember you
(I remember, I remember)
I remember, I remember you
(I remember, I remember)

I remember you
I remember me
I remember
The way things used to be
I remember how it was that we met
I remember, I will never forget
I remember, I remember you (I remember, I remember) ...

Tell It to Your Heart (Reed) - 5:08

I was staring through a telescope at night
At a large light in the sky
Its spinning lights reminded me of you
A star spinning in orbit
Lighting up the sky
Or maybe it was not a star at all

I was standing by the Hudson River's edge at night
Looking out across the Jersey shore
At a neon light spelling out some cola's name
And I thought your name should be dancing
Beamed from satellites
Larger than any billboard in Times Square

Tell it to your heart, please don't be afraid
I'm the one who loves you in each and every way
Tell it to your heart, please don't be afraid
NYC lovers
Tell it to your heart
(Tell it to your heart, please don't be afraid
Tell it to your heart)
(Tell it to your heart, please don't be afraid
Tell it to your heart)

I'm on the roof, it's 5 a.m.
I guess I couldn't sleep
And I see this spinning light that I saw last week
Maybe I should wake you up
But by then it might be gone
You never know what you see when if you look up in the sky

I ran outside down a darkened street
Listening to my boot heels click
My leather jacket squeaked I needed a cigarette
When I turned the corner
My spinning light was in the street
They were filming a commercial on TV

Tell it to your heart, please don't be afraid
We're no teenage movie that ends in tragedy
Tell it to your heart, please don't be afraid
NYC Lovers
Tell it to your heart
Tell it to your heart
Tell it to your heart
Tell it to your heart
(Tell it to your heart, please don't be afraid tell it to your heart)
(Tell it to your heart, please don't be afraid tell it to your heart)
(Tell it to your heart, please don't be afraid tell it to your heart)