Andy's Chest

Lou Reed's 'Andy's Chest' is a surreal and whimsical exploration of love, transformation, and the bizarre. The song opens with a fantastical image of the narrator wishing to be a bat, swooping after the object of their affection. This sets the tone for a series of vivid and often strange metaphors that convey a deep sense of longing and devotion. The imagery of rattlesnakes shedding their skins and missionaries losing their bark suggests a world where everything is in flux, much like the narrator's emotions. The natural world, with its trees and mountains, seems to be in pursuit of the beloved, emphasizing the intensity of the narrator's feelings.

The second verse continues this theme of transformation and desire. The narrator imagines being a kite, tethered to their beloved, flying freely yet still connected. This metaphor captures the balance between freedom and attachment in a relationship. The mention of honey bears and their transformation into 'hairy minded big bare bears' adds a layer of absurdity, yet it underscores the idea that love can change us in unexpected ways. The 'cheap bloodsuckers' flying after the beloved could symbolize the challenges and obstacles that come with love, but the narrator's devotion remains unwavering.

The final verse takes a turn into the outright surreal, with characters like Daisy Mae and Biff experiencing bizarre physical transformations. This could be seen as a commentary on the transformative power of love, where even the most mundane aspects of life become extraordinary. The imagery of 'curtains laced with diamonds' and 'knights in flaming silver robes' evokes a sense of fairy-tale romance, while the bats that 'with a kiss turn prince' bring the song full circle, back to the initial bat metaphor. Through these fantastical images, Reed paints a picture of love that is both magical and deeply personal, capturing the essence of devotion and the transformative power of affection.