I'm Waiting For the Man

Urban Desperation: Journey for Connection in Lou Reed's Melody
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Lyrics

I'm waiting for my man

Expressing anticipation for meeting someone, likely a drug dealer ("my man").

Twenty-six dollars in my hand

Carrying twenty-six dollars, possibly the cost of the drugs he's waiting to buy.

Up to Lexington, 125

Heading to Lexington Avenue, specifically 125th Street, a known area for drugs in New York City.

Feel sick and dirty, more dead than alive

Feeling physically and emotionally distressed, possibly due to drug use.

I'm waiting for my man

Reiterating the anticipation for meeting the drug dealer.


Hey, white boy, what you doin' uptown?

Confrontation from locals questioning his presence uptown.

Hey, white boy, you chasin' our women around?

Suggesting racial tension or suspicion, highlighting the narrator's outsider status.

Oh pardon me sir, it's the furthest from my mind

The narrator dismisses the accusation and clarifies his purpose.

I'm just lookin' for a dear, dear friend of mine

Explaining his quest as a search for a friend, potentially masking the real purpose (buying drugs).

I'm waiting for my man

Reiterating the anticipation for meeting the drug dealer.


Here he comes, he's all dressed in black

The drug dealer's arrival is signaled, described in black with distinctive attire.

PR shoes and a big straw hat

Details about the dealer's appearance, emphasizing a stylized look.

He's never early, he's always late

Highlighting the dealer's habitual tardiness, a known aspect of his character.

First thing you learn is you always gotta wait

Stressing the inevitability of waiting for the dealer, a common aspect of the drug-buying experience.

I'm waiting for my man

Reiterating the anticipation for meeting the drug dealer.


Up to a Brownstone, up three flights of stairs

Moving to a specific location, a Brownstone, for the drug transaction.

Everybody's pinned you, but nobody cares

Indicating the indifferent or unaware attitude of people in the surroundings.

He's got the works, gives you sweet taste

Describing the drugs ("the works") the dealer provides as a pleasant experience.

Ah then you gotta split because you got no time to waste

Emphasizing the need to leave quickly after getting the drugs.

I'm waiting for my man

Reiterating the anticipation for meeting the drug dealer.


Baby don't you holler, darlin' don't you bawl and shout

Advising someone not to protest or make noise during the drug transaction.

I'm feeling good, you know I'm gonna work it on out

Expressing a sense of well-being, possibly induced by the drugs.

I'm feeling good, I'm feeling oh so fine

Reiterating the positive feelings, emphasizing the temporary nature of the experience.

Until tomorrow, but that's just some other time

Acknowledging the temporary nature of the current state, suggesting a cyclical pattern.

I'm waiting for my man

Reiterating the anticipation for meeting the drug dealer.

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