Johnny Cash vs. Lou Reed [Archive]

Fawkes

11th February 2009, 03:30

Who do you think is a better story teller? They both sang about really dark or "provocative" topics, Cash mostly from a fictional first person perspective, and Reed usually from a third person perspective. As much as I love Lou Reed, I can relate more to Cash's lyrics, so I'm leaning toward him, but as far as the ability to paint a visual picture in your mind, there both so good at it it's hard to judge who's better. Who do you think?

Decolonize The Left

11th February 2009, 05:45

Who do you think is a better story teller? They both sang about really dark or "provocative" topics, Cash mostly from a fictional first person perspective, and Reed usually from a third person perspective. As much as I love Lou Reed, I can relate more to Cash's lyrics, so I'm leaning toward him, but as far as the ability to paint a visual picture in your mind, there both so good at it it's hard to judge who's better. Who do you think?

Johnny Cash was easily the better story teller. Lou Reed was a little too drugged up to make sense much of the time. I find Johnny Cash to be deeply rooted in the working class, clear messages, clear voice, excellent music. Reed was awesome in his own right, but isn't even close to Cash.

- August

Pirate Utopian

11th February 2009, 07:41

Love them both, musically I perfer Reed, but lyrically Cash wins.

communard resolution

11th February 2009, 08:22

I can't even remember any Cash songs that I found to be lyrically phenomenal? All I remember right now is plain songs of love and jealousy, one entertaining prison ditty, and ominous/psychedelic tales of cowboys riding in the sky.

Reed is one of my favourite lyricists. Off the top of my head, Heroin, New Age, and Men of Good Fortune are fantastic.

ellipsis

11th February 2009, 10:32

worked security at a lou reed concert last year. that guy is a skeleton, so frail.

Pirate Utopian

11th February 2009, 14:11

Heroin
Greatest song ever.

Holden Caulfield

11th February 2009, 14:57

I'm gonna have to say Cash, 'hung my head' is perhaps one of my favourite songs ever...

thats no slight to Lou Reed, but he just can't top Cash

alhop10

11th February 2009, 15:09

Isn't Hung My Head a cover?

Cash though def!

Holden Caulfield

11th February 2009, 15:12

Isn't Hung My Head a cover?

Cash though def!

yep, but so is his cover of 'Hurt' and that is also a favourite...

however his cover of 'Own Personal Jesus' is an insult to my ears