Lou Reed named ‘Most Overrated Lyricist’

Lou Reed cannot contain his shock after hearing the news!

In the wake of his collaboration with Metallica, Lulu, veteran rocker Lou Reed has been named the most overrated lyricist in rock by cultural website Flavorwire.

On their decision, the website says:

“Now, look, don’t get us wrong here. We are huge Lou Reed fans (even after he lived up to his reputation by being thoroughly unpleasant to us during an interview last year), and no one is denying that he has written some of the best rock ‘n’ roll lyrics ever — any single choice from the likes of “Heroin,” “Street Hassle,” “Candy Says,” or even “Coney Island Baby” would be enough to guarantee a place in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Lyricists’ Hall of Fame, if such a thing existed. But it does seem like he loses interest at times — whether it’s comically bad clangers like “Just like poison in a vial/ Hey, she was often very vile” (from “Caroline Says II”) or generally lackluster songs like “My Red Joystick,” Reed has been responsible for a surprising number of pretty awful lyrics. When he’s on form, he’s up with the very, very best. But we think he’s dropped enough stinkers over the years to not entirely merit his reputation as a consistently great lyricist.”

In the less than auspicious list, he is joined in 2nd place by Paul Banks (Interpol) and in 3rd place by Serj Tankian (System of a Down). Here is the full top ten: