Fly Into The Sun

Lou Reed's 'Fly Into The Sun' is a haunting exploration of existential themes, where the artist confronts the inevitability of death and the allure of finality. The song opens with a stark declaration of not fleeing from catastrophic events like the holocaust or a bomb, suggesting a readiness to face the ultimate end. Reed's desire to 'fly into the sun' symbolizes a yearning for release from worldly suffering and a transcendence into a state of peace or oblivion. This metaphor of flying into the sun evokes imagery of complete dissolution, where the self is broken into 'a million pieces,' signifying a total escape from the physical and emotional pains of existence.

The lyrics further delve into the idea of embracing the end as a form of liberation. Reed speaks of not running from the 'blazing light' or its 'rain,' viewing these as harbingers of an end to misery and worldly pain. The 'light of the unknown moment' represents the mystery of death, which Reed seems to welcome as a release from the burdens of life. This acceptance of the unknown and the end of suffering is portrayed as a 'blissful moment,' a stark contrast to the fear and avoidance typically associated with death.

In the final verses, Reed paints a vivid picture of cosmic upheaval, with the earth weeping, the sky shaking, and stars splitting. This apocalyptic imagery underscores the magnitude of the transformation he envisions. The fusion of protons and neutrons in his bones and the rise of an 'unnamed mammal' as man burns from his tomb suggest a return to primordial elements and a rebirth of sorts. Reed's perspective on this cataclysmic end is one of wonder and acceptance, seeing it as a 'wondrous moment' to end the mystery of existence and achieve a final, peaceful dissolution by flying into the sun.