for nancy
Because there are no coincidences, the night before Lou Reed swirled out the corporeal container, I was watching a documentary called After Porn Ends. A film that takes a Lou Reed approach. To Lou Reed people.
A film that trains its eye on transgressive people. Here, in this film, on people once and future active, in the 
adult-entertainment industry. Porn. A film that presents such people as they are. Without judgement.
Until we reach the coda. Wherein the filmmakers, in an extended, a long and lovely epilogue, bring us up to date, on all of the people we have just seen.
And we then understand, that they, the filmmakers, love them all.
From the people who have since gnarled into Christianity, and deny all of what they once had been. To those still proud, of all and every, of whom, they once, on camera, did join their loins.
And we understand that the filmmakers love them all, not only because of the coda’s photos and words, that are baldly spilled upon the screen. But because of the music.
Which begins as a long and lyrical instrumental piece. Until, eventually, after more than four minutes, in a really magical, yet so simple, chord change, the music reveals itself to be “Sweet Jane.”
And, like warm honey and wine, the words, they pour over, healing, all that we are:
anyone who’s ever had a heart
wouldn’t turn around and break it
and anyone who’s ever played a part
wouldn’t turn around and hate it
And, experiencing this, that night, I became higher than the world. Simultaneously spouting deep tears, and whooping in high joy. Because, I understood, completely, in this film’s concluding “Sweet Jane,” two things. That the filmmakers had opened themselves, to sanctify, heart all open, everyone in their film. And that “Sweet Jane,” the song, had entered into the immortal. Become a song that will never die.
So, when, less than 24 hours later, I heard that Lou Reed had shuffled off this mortal coil, I again spouted tears. But also gave a smiling nod to the stars; to the great wide open. Because, I know, now, that they will be playing that song, his song, “Sweet Jane,” two thousand years from now.
And so, like Jesus of Nazareth, another nice Jewish boy, also ripped all to hell and to shit, who also knew more than a little something about sin, Lou Reed will never die.
Know why? When we really get down to the all and all of it?
Because Lou Reed perceived, and presented, people as they are.
Without judgement.
And then: he loved them all.
There is only one category/tag on this site that can be traced to a single human being. And that is “What’s Good.” Which comes from Lou Reed.
From a song he wrote. In all his anguished, tearful, loving-them-all fury. A song about death. Death bringing his lovers down. Taking them out.
There is a studio version. I eschew it every time. Because the live version, in all its many imperfections, it bleeds.
Acknowledging death. But not granting it supremacy. Because, in the final crash of Reed’s mournful, joyful, chords—death, it is over.
“…And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” ~ T.S. Eliot
This is The Essence right here ~ What’s Good : )
Yeah, but that’s a YouTube overlay.
The actual and True “Sweet Jane,” that codas After Porn Ends is not Lou’s at all, but instead something by somebody called Korinna Knoll. And, so far as I know, one may access it only by viewing the last six minutes of the film.
One of the great things about Lou, was that he could recognize those who carried his work onward and upward. Thus, he identified, for instance, the Cowboy Junkies'”Sweet Jane,” as the best and truest and finest version, of that song, ever.
onward and upward ~ it is true..
even in a promo : )
Did you see that a pope person twitted a verse from that song?
That Francis guy is not only bringing commieness into the Vatican, but even Lou Reed. ; 0
this one is a much better version
I enjoyed reading your blog on this.
I too just watched ‘When Porn Ends’ and was deeply struck by the beauty of the final scenes with the soulful rendition of Sweet Jane. It’s not often that I’m touched by a piece of music like this but, combined with the content, the impression is powerful. I also searched online for a download of it but couldn’t find anything. Jeez, they could make a mint if they offered it for sale on iTunes. I’m gonna keep looking and asking around for it.
Thanks for your impressions on this. I agree wholeheartedly with all that you wrote.
.
Thank you very much. I, too, very much Need, that After Porn Ends version of “Sweet Jane.”
In the old days, we could wander into the local indie record store, and there demand that the people there secure it. But those days, are not these days.
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Yeah . . . .
All ready been 1 Year… so here’s a football song for you ; )
Rest in Power Lou
This is the first time I’ve come across your blog and it made me rather misty. Beautiful, beautiful piece you’ve written!
Thank you. ; )
I found your blog after watching ‘After Porn Ends’. What you wrote here really explained my feelings after being affected by it, especially the ending with those first notes bubbling up into a gorgeous rendition of Sweet Jane. Lou just keeps giving. I had to find out more about it.
It is by Neulander, and it also has Johnny Marr playing, according to the credits, It is beautiful, and I wish I could find it to download somewhere too.
http://www.last.fm/music/Neulander
bye