Fashion in The Velvet Underground & Nico

In 1965, Andy Warhol took over as manager for an underground rock group, named The Velvet Underground, that would one day be considered one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Warhol began by having them perform at a movie theater

with a accompanying music and visuals. This act, named Exploding Plastic Inevitable, quickly helped them gain fame and interest within the New York City art scene.

Andy Warhol was also responsible for introducing the band to Nico, a mysterious European model and singer. On the band's debut album (with cover art to the right), Nico was given a prominent role in several songs. However, after the albums release, her own fame eclipsed that of her band members so she left the band.

On the The Velvet Underground and Nico album there are three songs that nearly exclusively discuss women's fashion.

Scroll to read the lyrics, listen to music, read an analysis of each song.

"Femme Fatale"

Here she comes, you better watch your step
She's going to break your heart in two, it's true It's not hard to realize
Just look into her false colored eyes
She builds you up to just put you down, what a clown
'Cause everybody knows (She's a femme fatale)
The things she does to please (She's a femme fatale)
She's just a little tease (She's a femme fatale)
See the way she walks
Hear the way she talks
You're put down in her book
You're number 37, have a look
She's going to smile to make you frown, what a clown
Little boy, she's from the street
Before you start, you're already beat
She's gonna play you for a fool, yes it's true
'Cause everybody knows (She's a femme fatale)
The things she does to please (She's a femme fatale)
She's just a little tease (She's a femme fatale)
See the way she walks

Hear the way she talks

Listen to "Femme Fatale"

"Venus In Furs"

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

Listen to "Venus in Furs"

"All Tomorrow's Parties"

And what costume shall the poor girl wear
To all tomorrow's parties
A hand-me-down dress from who knows where
To all tomorrow's parties
And where will she go and what shall she do
When midnight comes around
She'll turn once more to Sunday's clown
And cry behind the door
And what costume shall the poor girl wear
To all tomorrow's parties
Why silks and linens of yesterday's gowns
To all tomorrow's parties
And what will she do with Thursday's rags When Monday comes around
She'll turn once more to Sunday's clown
And cry behind the door
And what costume shall the poor girl wear
To all tomorrow's parties
For Thursday's child is Sunday's clown
For whom none will go mourning
A blackened shroud, a hand-me-down gown
Of rags and silks, a costume
Fit for one who sits and cries
For all tomorrow's parties

Listen to "All Tomorrow's Parties"

The song "Venus In Furs" exudes sex in a way unlike any song on the album. The repeated descriptions of "shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather" and "the belt does await you" makes the listener imagine a women being sexually empowered by her bedroom wardrobe. Many avid listeners, such as Dr. Mark Griffiths, believe that this song was particularly influential because it proved that no topic was too taboo for rock music and that art house bands such as the Velvet Underground could take risks and still be considered popular and influential.

Similar to "Venus in Furs", a woman's clothes are described in "Femme Fatale" in a way that puts her in a position of power. While the song makes no specific reference to the women's style of dress, the lines "See the way she walks" and "Little boy, she's from the street" give the listener a profound visual image of a rough, but beautiful and attractive woman. This alluring beauty, but devilish reputation, is what makes her a "femme fatale", or woman who is know for bringing disaster to the men who are attracted to her.

"All Tomorrow's Parties" was what Warhol called the "Cinderella" song. While there are many interpretations of this song, the main premise is about how clothing defines you to the outside world and how when people attended parties, they often put on a literal and figurative costume, as they shelter who they really are from people who might judge them. The girl's indecisiveness is indicative of the idea that doesn't know how to act or dress in way that way that won't make her into the "clown" she fears.