Lou Reed

Lou Reed lives in the middle ground — 13 moderate songs that balance intensity with control. 5 quiet anchors and 5 songs where they let go completely.

The character of Lou Reed

Across the 23 Lou Reed songs we've measured, intensity averages 44/100 — right around the catalog average (46/100).

They run from Coney Island Baby (the calmest here, 18) to Rock Minuet (the most charged, 65), with layered textures most common and a mix of the expected and the surprising. It spans 1970–2000.

The widest dynamic swing belongs to Street Hassle.

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Avg Intensity
23
Songs Decoded
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The songs that hit hardest

The controlled burn

Andy's Chest moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1972
Hangin' Round moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1972
Make Up moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 5 · 1972
Satellite of Love moderate
smooth texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1972
Vicious moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1972
Berlin moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1973
Caroline Says II moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 5 · 1973
How Do You Think It Feels moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1973
Sally Can't Dance moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1974
Dirty Boulevard moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1989
Magic and Loss moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1992
What's Good (The Thesis) moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1992
Set the Twilight Reeling moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1996

The quiet ones

Frequently asked about Lou Reed

Answered from our measurements of every song above.

What is the most intense Lou Reed song?

Of the 23 Lou Reed songs we've measured, “Rock Minuet” scores highest at 65/100 for intensity — computed from its dynamic range, texture, sudden changes and tempo.

What is the calmest Lou Reed song?

“Coney Island Baby” measures gentlest at 18/100. It runs 80 BPM. The songs here span 18–65 on our 0–100 intensity scale.

How intense is Lou Reed overall?

Lou Reed averages 44/100 intensity across 23 measured songs — right at our 46/100 catalog average.

What is the average tempo of Lou Reed?

The Lou Reed songs we've measured average about 102 BPM — midtempo.

Which Lou Reed songs are calm enough for background listening?

These measure in our gentlest band (steady level, no sudden shifts): “Coney Island Baby”, “Halloween Parade”, “Walk on the Wild Side”, “Perfect Day”.

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