Shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather
Whiplash girl child in the dark
Comes in bells, your servant, don't forsake him
Strike, dear mistress, and cure his heart

Downy sins of streetlight fancies
Chase the costumes she shall wear
Ermine furs adorn the imperious
Severin, Severin awaits you there

I am tired, I am weary
I could sleep for a thousand years
A thousand dreams that would awake me
Different colors made of tears

Kiss the boot of shiny, shiny leather
Shiny leather in the dark
Tongue of thongs, the belt that does await you
Strike, dear mistress, and cure his heart

Severin, Severin, speak so slightly
Severin, down on your bended knee
Taste the whip, in love not given lightly
Taste the whip, now bleed for me

I am tired, I am weary
I could sleep for a thousand years
A thousand dreams that would awake me
Different colors made of tears

Shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather
Whiplash girl child in the dark
Severin, your servant comes in bells, please don't forsake him
Strike, dear mistress, and cure his heart


Lyrics submitted by capitol76

Venus In Furs Lyrics as written by Lou Reed

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Venus in Furs song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

60 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +6
    General Comment

    i think it is bleed. gives me shivers down my spine when Lou sings that line. I sure hope it is bleed. plead would be less chilling to me.

    yoladuon December 15, 2011   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    Yeah it's about S&M, more specifically the story from the book 'Venus in Furs' which is basically about 'Severin', the slave and the girl he is obsessed with who he gets to mistreat him for pleasure. Then she falls for the 'Black Russian Prince' and blah blah, just a trashy novel as described by lou reed.

    one of the best songs,

    billiecapuleton February 13, 2010   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Of course it's about S&M. "Shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather..." Man, I LOVE this song.

    parttimecynicon February 12, 2006   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Venus in Furs was, off the top of my head, a book written by Baron Sadler-Masoch about his unusual relationship with a girl that eventually gave birth to the term 'Masochism', i.e., to gain sexual enjoyment from being hurt. I think 'Severin' might have been the name of a character from the book. Anyway, it's about S & M isn't it?

    Rich_Mon May 27, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I am tired, I am weary I could sleep for a thousand years A thousand dreams that would awake me Different colors made of tears

    RIP Lou

    TheWrongGirlon October 29, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Amazing song, the lyrics flow and fit perfectly with the rythem. And its spoken almost gently with a certain force in words.

    Morphinehazeon August 23, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    anne rice- claiming of sleeping beauty. "i could sleep for a thousand years" i just read the series not too long ago and i was sitting hear reading the lyrics to this song and it just dawned on me. its exactly like those novels how sleeping beauty, after a thousand years sleep, is finally awaken by her prince who then takes her in as his sex slave. if you haven't read these books.. do.

    sierracg1on May 09, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Severin isn't the guy's name, it's what his abusive aunt used to call him. Later in life, he finds a domanatrix and gets her to dress like his aunt, call him "Severin", and treat him like she did, because it turns him on or somehing.

    Chloe le Fayon July 08, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I am tired, I am weary I could sleep for a thousand years A thousand dreams that would awake me Different colors made of tears

    ...the greatest stanza ever written by the velvets....by anyone for that matter...i find this song as a definition for so much in my life...mainly because an order follows a choice and i just get pissed off about it...why should i care what others want...why should i care what i want...perception is a blackhole...wdc

    venusinfurson September 27, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Man, i just love this song, me and my friends get stoned and stare at the visualizer on our computers while this song is playing, what an exciting life huh? but it's fun as hell, pretty trippy too, yeah after you posted that thing, Chloe Le Fay, about him being dominated and what not, it all made perfect sense!

    CowboyDanCarson1on December 19, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.