Billy

Lou Reed's song "Billy" is a poignant narrative about two childhood friends whose lives take drastically different paths. The song begins with a nostalgic reflection on their shared past, highlighting the deep bond formed during their early years. Billy is portrayed as the more successful and conventional one, excelling in sports and academics, while the narrator takes a more laid-back and unconventional route. This contrast sets the stage for the exploration of their diverging destinies.

As the song progresses, the differences between Billy and the narrator become more pronounced. Billy's achievements in high school and college, where he studies medicine, are juxtaposed with the narrator's lack of direction and academic struggles. The narrator's decision to drop out of college marks a significant turning point, emphasizing the widening gap between their lives. This divergence is further highlighted when Billy goes to war, a life-altering experience that leaves him deeply scarred, while the narrator is deemed mentally unfit for service.

The song's emotional climax comes when the narrator encounters Billy after the war. The once vibrant and successful friend is now a shell of his former self, his nerves shattered by the traumatic experiences he endured. This encounter forces the narrator to reflect on their lives and question who truly made the right choices. The repeated refrain, "which one of us was the fool," underscores the song's central theme of the unpredictability of life and the subjective nature of success and failure. Lou Reed's storytelling, combined with his raw and honest lyrical style, makes "Billy" a powerful meditation on friendship, choices, and the lasting impact of life's trials and tribulations.