No Money Down

Lou Reed · Mistrial [1986]

I know you're disappointed

in the way I handled things

You're thinking I misread the times

and acted cowardly

And since what I do affects us both

and you feel that I let you down

You're paying a price when there is no price to pay

lovers trust, No Money Down

You're paying a price when there is no price to pay

lovers trust, No Money Down

(Hey! lover)

(Hey! lover)

(lover)

They say there's someone for everyone

and for everyone a someone

And some tattoo roses across their chests

with a heart that says Rollo

And some work without a Public Relations man

and do their best work, baby, out of sight

You're paying a price when there is no price to pay

lovers trust, No Money Down

You're paying a price when there is no price to pay

lovers trust, No Money Down

(Hey! lover)

(Hey! lover)

(lover)

Now I have known a hero or two

and they all learn to swim through mud

And they all got boots caked with dirty soles

that they get from Squashing bugs

So when push comes to shove get the Harley revved up

the moon can eclipse even the sun

You're paying a price when there is no price to pay

lovers trust, No Money Down

You're paying a price when there is no price to pay

lovers trust, No Money Down

Lovers trust, No Money Down (Hey! lover)

Yes, lovers trust, No Money Down (Hey! lover)

Lovers trust, No Money Down (Hey! hey! lover)

Lovers trust, No Money Down (Hey! hey! lover)

(Hey! hey! lover)

(Hey! hey! lover)

...

About No Money Down

"No Money Down" is a haunting track from Lou Reed's 1986 album *Mistrial*, marking a significant shift in his musical direction toward a more experimental and electronic sound. Recorded during a period of intense personal turmoil and creative reinvention, the song features Reed's signature raw vocal delivery layered over synthesizers and drum machines, reflecting the fragmented nature of his life at the time. The piece stands as a pivotal moment in his later discography, bridging the gap between his classic rock roots and the avant-garde influences that would define his final years. Its atmospheric texture and emotional depth have cemented its place as a defining recording of the late 1980s, showcasing Reed's enduring ability to translate personal angst into universal sonic landscapes.