Femme Fatale
The Velvet Underground The 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 lyrics of "Femme Fatale" by The Velvet Underground describe a seductive, dangerous woman who enjoys playing with the hearts of men. Lou Reed's vocals convey a mixture of warning and fascination as he sings about her deceptive beauty and manipulative ways. The character is portrayed as someone who is skilled at luring men into her trap, only to discard them once she gets what she wants. Through the use of vivid imagery, the lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is both alluring and dangerous – someone who can make even the most confident man fall for her charms.
The phrase "femme fatale" is French for "fatal woman," and has been used in literature and film to describe a type of female character who is both attractive and dangerous. In this song, The Velvet Underground play with the concept of the femme fatale, using it to create a portrait of a woman who is both captivating and treacherous. The lyrics suggest that men are often powerless in the face of such a woman, and that they will ultimately be hurt by her charms. This song is both a warning and a celebration of the power that some women hold, and it continues to be a classic example of The Velvet Underground's unique style and sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Here she comes, you better watch your step
Be careful, she's coming and can easily hurt you
She's going to break your heart in two, it's true
Her intentions are to hurt you, she will break your heart
It's not hard to realize
It's easy to see and understand
Just look into her false colored eyes
Her eyes are deceptive and not genuine
She builds you up to just put you down, what a clown
She manipulates you and gives you false hope only to let you down
Cause everybody knows
Her behavior is widely known and recognized
(She's a femme fatale)
She is a dangerous woman with ulterior motives
The things she does to please
She performs actions that make her appear pleasing, but they are not genuine
She's just a little tease
She leads people on and teases them with the idea of a relationship without any real commitment
See the way she walks
Her body language is seductive and dangerous
Hear the way she talks
Her words are manipulative and often untrue
You're put down in her book
She has a list of people who she has manipulated and hurt
You're number thirty seven, have a look
You are not the only person she has hurt, there are many others
She's going to smile to make you frown, what a clown
She will use her charm to manipulate you and then hurt you
Little boy, she's from the street
She is a streetwise woman who is not to be underestimated
Before you start, you're already beat
She has already won because she is too skilled for you
She's going to play you for a fool, yes it's true
She will deceive and hurt you, it's inevitable
Ooh ooh oh
Sound effect or refrain of the song, no particular meaning
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEWIS ALLEN REED, LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind