The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Here he comes
You better watch your step
He's gonna break your heart in two
Yes it's true
It's not hard to realize
Just look into his false colored eyes
He'll build you up to just put you down
What a clown
Cause everybody knows he's a femme fatale
The things he does to please
He's just a little tease
See the way he walks
Hear the way he talks
You're written in his book
You're number thirty-seven have a look
He's gonna smile to make you frown
What a clown
Little boy he's from the street
Before you start you're already beat
He's gonna play you for a fool
Yes it's true
Cause everybody knows he's a femme fatale
The things he does to please
He's just a little tease
See the way he walks
And hear the way he talks
You better watch your step
He's gonna break your heart in two
Yes it's true
It's not hard to realize
Just look into his false colored eyes
He'll build you up to just put you down
What a clown
Cause everybody knows he's a femme fatale
The things he does to please
He's just a little tease
See the way he walks
Hear the way he talks
You're written in his book
You're number thirty-seven have a look
He's gonna smile to make you frown
What a clown
Little boy he's from the street
Before you start you're already beat
He's gonna play you for a fool
Yes it's true
Cause everybody knows he's a femme fatale
The things he does to please
He's just a little tease
See the way he walks
And hear the way he talks
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Femme Fatale Lyrics as written by Lou Reed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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,
Blue
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Page
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