Femme Fatale
John Cale & Nico Lyrics
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She's going to break your heart in two, it's true
It's not hard to realize
Just look into her false colored eyes
She builds you up to just put you down, what a clown
'Cause everybody knows
(She's a femme fatale)
(She's a femme fatale)
She's just a little tease
(She's a femme fatale)
See the way she walks
Hear the way she talks
You're put down in her book
You're number thirty seven, have a look
She's going to smile to make you frown, what a clown
Little boy, she's from the street
Before you start, you're already beat
She's going to play you for a fool, yes it's true
'Cause everybody knows
(She's a femme fatale)
The things she does to please
(She's a femme fatale)
She's just a little tease
(She's a femme fatale)
See the way she walks
Hear the way she talks
'Cause everybody knows
(She's a femme fatale)
The things she does to please
(She's a femme fatale)
She's just a little tease
(She's a femme fatale)
Ooh ooh oh
(She's a femme fatale)
Ooh ooh oh
The song "Femme Fatale" by John Cale/Lou Reed/Nico is about a dangerous beautiful woman who can seduce and leave vulnerable men in ruins. The lyrics describe how she lures in men by playing with their emotions, making them feel important and wanted, only to discard them once she's done with them. The verse "She builds you up to just put you down" shows how she manipulates and controls these men to feed her own ego. The chorus repeats the phrase "She's a femme fatale" which means a seductive, dangerous woman who often brings destruction to her lovers.
The line "You're put down in her book/You're number thirty seven, have a look" is a reference to a notebook used by prostitutes in the 1950s and 1960s, where men would write down their names and details for future encounters. The song also references the idea of a "little boy" being taken advantage of by a more experienced and cunning woman. It serves as a warning to men not to fall for her charms.
Line by Line Meaning
Here she comes, you better watch your step
Be careful, as she is dangerous
She's going to break your heart in two, it's true
She will hurt you, that's a fact
It's not hard to realize
It's easy to see
Just look into her false colored eyes
Her eyes give a wrong impression
She builds you up to just put you down, what a clown
She gives you false hope to then let you down
('Cause everybody knows)
Everyone is aware
(She's a femme fatale)
She is a dangerous woman
(The things she does to please)
She puts on a show to win your favor
(She's just a little tease)
She toys with your feelings
(See the way she walks)
Observe how she moves
(Hear the way she talks)
Listen to how she speaks
You're put down in her book
She underestimates you
You're number thirty seven, have a look
You're just another conquest
She's going to smile to make you frown, what a clown
She will deceive you with a smile, how ridiculous
Little boy, she's from the street
She comes from humble origins
Before you start, you're already beat
She has won before the fight even began
She's going to play you for a fool, yes it's true
She will use you for her own benefit
Ooh ooh oh
Vocalization
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jane Gilday
thank you SO MUCH for this....i was in the band, 'the the', which opened for nico, john and lars at those shows...she was beyond category, one of the most distinctive artists ever....i'd sit there stunned, trying to take in and somehow save all i was hearing when she performed.
Microbunny
The The were an amazing band! You must have had a great time playing shows with them. Interesting that you would have opened for her, but I guess it was New York and she would have been very well known in NYC. I too am very interested in all of her work, yet never had a chance to see her perform live in person. A real regret but I do not recall ever even knowing if she performed in the Toronto area at all.
Lutz Lüül Graf-Ulbrich
@Microbunny Nico played at The Edge in Toronto Spring 79.
Microbunny
@Lutz Lüül Graf-Ulbrich I know now! Sadly I was only 16 years old at the time. Too young to get into a nightclub! I would have loved to have seen her play. I was a big Eno and Cale fan and got to know her music by her association with them first. My love of the Velvets oddly came after by researching and tracing back each of their origins to find they were in the same band! It blew my mind eventually. Did you enjoy playing in Toronto?
Lutz Lüül Graf-Ulbrich
Hey Jane, I remember you with The The, very good band! Nice memories!!!
itnow
@Lutz Lüül Graf-Ulbrich why you ppl keep on hiding the name of this band...you always start the...the... and then never say it. Hope it isn't so rude you can even write the first letter!
Jenn Dobos
This gives me goosebumps. Thank you for this clip.
Microbunny
Yeah it's a real beauty. Thankfully someone recorded it for us to hear. The viola is just priceless.
Deedee 60
Nico always was so unique and original! Extraordinary voice and so charismatic. Great clip!
Microbunny
Yes. It’s a beautiful and unique live performance.