In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Some kinda love
Margarita told Tom
Between thought and expression
Lies a lifetime
Situations arise
Because of the weather
And no kinds of love
Are better than others
Some kinda love
Margarita told Tom
Like a dirty French novel
Combines the absurd with the vulgar
And some kinds of love
The possibilities are endless
And for me to miss one
Would seem to be groundless
Mmm-hmm, oh yeah
"I heard what you said"
And Margarita heard Tom
And of course you're a bore
But in that you're not charmless
'Cause a bore is a straight line
That finds a wealth in division
And some kinds of love
Ooh, are mistaken for vision, la-dee-da-da-dah
Ooh
Put jelly on your shoulder
Let us do what you fear most
Hmm, that, from which you recoil
But which still makes your eyes moist
Put jelly on your shoulder, baby
Lie down upon the carpet
Between thought and expression
Let us now kiss the culprit, move it on, ooh
I don't know, just what it's all about
Tell you something, honey
But put on your red pajamas and find out
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Ooh, Lord rock it on
I don't wanna have to reach the size
Hmm, oooh
Margarita told Tom
Between thought and expression
Lies a lifetime
Situations arise
Because of the weather
And no kinds of love
Are better than others
Some kinda love
Margarita told Tom
Like a dirty French novel
Combines the absurd with the vulgar
And some kinds of love
The possibilities are endless
And for me to miss one
Would seem to be groundless
Mmm-hmm, oh yeah
"I heard what you said"
And Margarita heard Tom
And of course you're a bore
But in that you're not charmless
'Cause a bore is a straight line
That finds a wealth in division
And some kinds of love
Ooh, are mistaken for vision, la-dee-da-da-dah
Ooh
Put jelly on your shoulder
Let us do what you fear most
Hmm, that, from which you recoil
But which still makes your eyes moist
Put jelly on your shoulder, baby
Lie down upon the carpet
Between thought and expression
Let us now kiss the culprit, move it on, ooh
I don't know, just what it's all about
Tell you something, honey
But put on your red pajamas and find out
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Ooh, Lord rock it on
I don't wanna have to reach the size
Hmm, oooh
Lyrics submitted by capitol76, edited by spikecb, Fuggnucket
Some Kinda Love Lyrics as written by Lou Reed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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the phrase "between thought and expression lies a lifetime" reminds me of t.s. eliot's poem "hollow men".
"Between the emotion And the response Falls the Shadow Life is very long"
maybe that's where lou got the idea from? maybe not...
anyway, "and no kinds of love / are better than others" has always struck a chord in me...
no doubt the influence of eliot is at work... translating eliot as "between what you feel and do" lies not only an long life, but in essence an alternate one... given lou's wide range of poetic interests and influences initiated at syracuse by delmore shwartz, would seem a fitting and not accidental tribute to eliot - of course applied in a way that only Lou would be capable of doing
In no way am I trying to be a dictator of interpretation since that's impossible. In my mind this song in a literal sense is about sexual experimentation which was thought of as taboo at the time (taboo breaker = lou reed). Margarita wants to go down on tom (oral sex), Tom is a straight edge (bore) and feared feeling guilty (1960's it is taboo). Margarita is saying if you are stuck between thoughts (guilt) and expression (pleasure), nothing happens. Urging "no kind of love is better than other". So let's kiss the culprit. I don't know what it's all about but "Put on your red pajamas and find out". Lou's songwriting is usually based on taboo subject, transvestites, drugs, BDSM and such. But in its concept and emotion, it transcends that. I'm waiting for my man for me isn't about waiting for my drug dealer but my hopeless longing for somebody or something to bring me up from the place i'm in. In the same way this song for me is not just about sexual experimentation but life in general. I would love to pursue a career in music but between my thoughts (will i earn enough money? what would my parents think?) and expression (my dream) stops me from doing as such and it would never happen in my life time unless I just get up and do it. I'm eighteen, just got into one of the best college for business but I'm urged to just walk away and become a musician, without Lou Reed I would go crazy. Thanks
...the third line described life for me as soon as i heard it...this song changed my whole thought on expression...its not a way to live...its a way to die...because you'll never find what you're looking for...wdc
you're very philisophical and shit........great writing "some kinds of love are mistaken for vision" and of course the best stanza known to humankind: "Put jelly on your shoulder lie down upon the carpet between thought and expression let us now kiss the culprit "
i meant they, the velvet underground, are very philisophical in this song, but venusinfurs, you got their piont, so cheers
can someone help me understand this song better..
"Between Thought And Expression, There Lies a Lifetime."
I think Venus got it. I loved that line, but I couldn't figure out what it meant...
hehe that's kinky :)
Anyone ever heard the live version of this? It is absolutely divine.
Lou introduces this song on their live album as follows:
"This song is called 'Some Kinda Love', which is a dialogue between a guy called Tom and a woman called Margharita, and he's just trying to drink her like tequila and she doesn't like being salt thrown over her shoulder."
Hope to have helped.