Elvis Costello: Femme Fatale

Elvis Costello sings Lou Reed's "Femme Fatale" on Spectacle, 12/10/08

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Elvis
• Costello
• Femme
• Fatale
• Spectacle

[adrean83]

This reminds me how good the original was.

What's with all the unnecessary arrangements.

I laughed when he tried to sing with passion towards the end.

The low key, no frills, no-bells original is the best.

[deerfried]

@adrean83

There's no doubt about it -- 9 times outta 10, the original is going to be better than cover versions. But your dissatisfaction with the "frills" and "unnecessary arrangements" runs against the entire idea of covering other artists' songs. EC is not necessarily trying to improve on Lou's original, just putting a different spin on it. That's what's fascinating and great about popular music: we have the opportunity to enjoy great music through many varied interpretations. Relax...enjoy.

[dlp2006]

elvis works with the greats..they should be covering his songs..

[booblikon]

admirable enough take but i think a more simple accompaniment would work better. just bass & accordian would be interesting. the zydeco configuration (i guess you would call it that, no?) sounds a little too cluttered for me on this song. i guess i still appreciate his effort, and good music is still good music, period, which this is. confusing enough for you? bet this group could do a nice version of "I Don't Want To Talk About It" by Danny Whitten.

[haushalterrva]

love this



[Elbemarle]

does anybody else hear it as "everybody knows, she's a filthy towel"

[johsteele]

I LOVE the Velvets but the original version of this song with Nico singing is garbage. Chick can't sing. Sorry she had sex with Lou Reed and therefore gets to ruin a well-written song. Costello kills it, plain and simple.

[SkeeterNYC]

Nico must be rolling over in her grave right now.

[Wilfslad]

entertain me, I'm as blank as can be....

[andyisdead]

I'd say the Big Star cover outdid the original version.

[StephenPring]

Well, I think this is a great cover. The sulfur-to-sugarcane style suits the older Elvis. Musically, it feels like a US (rather than an Irish) take on some of the old Spike numbers. Lou may(?) have done this better in his heyday, but Elvis does Lou better than Lou can do himself today. Kids, just say 'no' ...

[adrock1011]

i like it - ... it's almost celtic/bluegrassy... they definitely made it their own...

[SrUlloa]

Me sorprende que haya tanta gente que no le gusto el cover, la verdad me emociono muchisimo, le dio un giro totalmente diferente a la cancion...

Un placer escuchar que se haga una version tan lograda de la velvet underground!