Meaning of "Ladies Pay" by Lou Reed

"Ladies Pay" by Lou Reed delves into the theme of exploitation and the societal expectations placed on women. The lyrics depict a situation where women are willing to engage in deceitful acts in exchange for financial or material gain when the men in their lives are away. This transactional view of relationships showcases how women are often forced to navigate a world where their value is linked to their ability to please men. The repetition of "how the ladies pay" emphasizes the idea that women are consistently expected to make sacrifices and pay the price for security or survival. This song brings to light the power dynamics at play in relationships and how women are sometimes forced to compromise their integrity for the sake of survival in a patriarchal society.