The song "Work" by Lou Reed and John Cale tells the story of a character named Andy who is a dedicated worker. Andy is portrayed as a Catholic who is deeply devoted to his work and doesn't prioritize anything else in life. The lyrics describe Andy as living with his mother and being interested in collecting gossip and toys. However, his main focus is on work, and he believes that work is the most important thing in life. Even when he attends church on Sundays, he sees it as just another task and says, "It's just work, all that matters is work." Andy is shown to have a strong work ethic and believes that it is vital to bring home the bacon (earn money) and bring home the roast (provide for his family). He takes his job seriously and arrives at the factory early, demonstrating his commitment. Throughout the song, there is a disagreement between the narrator (presumably Lou Reed) and Andy. The narrator admits to being lazy and young, while Andy would push him to work harder and be more productive. Andy questions the narrator's accomplishments and asks how many songs he has written. The narrator lies about writing ten songs, but Andy believes he should have written fifteen. This highlights Andy's belief that work is the most important aspect of life. Andy also provides advice to the narrator, suggesting that he should make things on a larger scale and include explicit content in his songs. Andy enjoys stirring up trouble and finds humor in it, emphasizing the importance of work in his life. However, there comes a point where the narrator fires Andy, possibly due to a disagreement or clash of opinions. This event leads to a tense moment, with Andy becoming angry and calling the narrator a rat. It is noted that such negative behavior was unusual for Andy. The song concludes with the narrator reflecting on the lessons he learned from Andy. When faced with a decision, the narrator often wonders what Andy would have said. Andy's influence is seen as daunting at times, as he challenges the narrator's tendency to overthink and avoid certain types of work that he doesn't want to do. Overall, "Work" delves into the theme of the importance of work and the impact it has on individuals' lives. The song presents different perspectives on work, with Andy embodying a dedicated and driven worker, while the narrator grapples with his own work habits and perceptions.
