Everybody Knows She's a Femme Fatale

            Aloe Blacc covers the Velvet Underground’s “Femme Fatale” in his trademark soulful-but-upbeat style.  The lyrics of the song discuss an elusive female subject that is impossible to predict.  The Velvet Underground, a punk band from the 60’s, presents this song in a quiet but jaunty tone.  To them, “Femme Fatale” seems like a good story, but nothing to be too upset about.  Aloe Blacc, on the other hand, seems to disagree.  Blacc has a knack for creating sensual and spirited music, and this song is no exception.  His cover of “Femme Fatale” is a longing for the woman that can only be pursued.  Lou Reed sings with a nonchalant attitude, but Aloe Blacc is actually sad that she is so elusive.  The chorus in each version of the song exemplify this point.  Aloe Blacc rushes to the ends of the lines saying, “’Cause everybody knows, she’s a femme fatale / The things she does to please, she’s a femme fatale.”  His monotone and rushed demeanor suggest that he is upset, like he is mourning the loss or inability to connect with someone.  However, Lou Reed sings these lines very slowly in comparison to Blacc, dragging them out and softening their impact.  Reed also demonstrates a greater vocal range when he sings these words, giving it an airy feel.  While Blacc feels like he fails at forming a relationship with a certain woman, Reed simply wants to tell the audience her story. 

This dichotomy of relationship approaches is evident in the verses as well.  For example, Lou Reed sings, “She’s going to smile to make you frown, what a clown,” with a teasing tone.  He could be addressing the “clown” comment at the woman known as the femme fatale, or he could be teasing the listener in pursuit of her.  Aloe Blacc sings the last three words of that line in a more subdued monotone.  He presents it this way as an afterthought, and it begs for emotional attention.  Blacc feels defeated.  His version of the line has the same ambiguous meaning as Reed’s.  It is unclear whether he insults the woman for playing with emotions or the pursuer for giving into her seductions.  Whichever the case is, Aloe Blacc is very attached to the emotional situation (or lack thereof) in which he finds himself.  Out of the two versions of “Femme Fatale,” the two interpretations of the lyrics differ for consistent reasons.  Aloe Blacc takes the lyrics very emotively, but VU hangs onto its punk disposition and prefers to watch the action happen rather than take part in it.