In the past week I have stumbled across some pretty wonderful covers of The VU classic “Femme Fatale”. Perhaps this song calls to so many male musicians because throughout the years, one single concept stands strong- women love to mess with our minds, and despite our best efforts, we will still fall hard for them.
In the original version Nico beautifully sings with a smug undertone, as she clearly knows that she is the type of woman this song was written about.
The Big Star rendition featured on Third/Sister Lovers always reminds me of the type of song you would hear in an old diner jukebox, at a rest stop, in the middle of the desert. Strange I know. There is something so eerie and romantic about this version that I couldn’t tell you if it’s a perfect love song or break up song.
Beck’s Record Club rendition is the most straightforward reminding the listener that behind such dark lyrics is an undeniable pop melody.
In my opinion, Aloe Blacc’s soulful rendition of this song is just the cover it needed. You can tell he has been there before, he knows this type of woman. When the chorus hits it’s almost as if he has come to the realization all men will eventually come to- women mess with our minds, and that’s what we love about them.
And it will be, as it always has been, women will screw with our minds, and we will continue to write songs about them…thank God.
