Lou Reed’s 10 favourite albums of all time

Lou Reed submitted a handwritten list of his favourite albums for a 1999 magazine interview, selecting 12 when asked to name ten. The choices reflect the range of music that shaped the Velvet Underground songwriter and his solo work, from classic American pop to avant-garde sounds.

Reed drew on soul, doo-wop, rhythm and blues, folk, jazz and early rock ’n’ roll, while admiring Bob Dylan’s compact, vivid lyrics. He also sought to bring literary precision to pop songwriting, inspired by writers including Allen Ginsberg and William S Burroughs. The article presents the list as a window into Reed’s influences and musical curiosity.