Heel het "Berlin" album van Lou Reed uit 1973 gaat over zijn (imaginaire) relatie met het hoertje Caroline. Dit is ongetwijfeld nog steeds één van de meest aangrijpende platen die ik ken. Krijg er steevast kippevel van.
Hier is één nummertje, zowat de climax van het verhaal. (Hierna pleegt Caroline zelfmoord en blijft Reed allen achter met zijn trieste herinneringen)
The Kids -- Lou Reed, 1973
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because she was making it with sisters and brothers
And everyone else, all of the others
Like cheap officers who would stand there and flirt in front of me
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because of the things that they heard she had done
The black Air Force sergeant was not the first one
And all of the drugs she took, every one, every one
And I am the Water Boy, the real game's not over here
But my heart is overflowin' anyway
I'm just a tired man, no words to say
But since she lost her daughter
It's her eyes that fill with water
And I am much happier this way
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because number on was the girl friend from Paris
The things that they did - ah - they didn't have to ask us
And then the Welshman from India, who came here to stay
They're taking her children away
Because they said she was not a good mother
They're taking her children away
Because of the things she did in the streets
In the alleys and bars, no she couldn't be beat
That miserable rotten slut couldn't turn anyone away
I am the Water Boy, the real game's not over here
But my heart is overflowin' anyway
I'm just a tired man, no words to say
But since she lost her daughter
It's her eyes that fill with water
And I am much happier this way
Volledige songlist van het album : allemaal droeve pareltjes
Berlin
Lady Day
Men Of Good Fortune
Caroline Says 1
How Do You Think It Feels
Oh Jim
Caroline Says 2
The Kids
The Bed
Sad Song