Femme Fatale

Femme Fatale is named in the diary as a song Nico was preparing to perform with John Cale at CBGB. The entry connects the title to a specific musical arrangement and to the performers’ upcoming engagement, rather than discussing the phrase as an independent idea.

Planned Performance

The performance was still forthcoming when the diary described it: Nico and John Cale were due to open at CBGB, with Nico singing Femme Fatale and Cale playing violin. The entry identifies the song as coming from the first Velvet Underground album.

Nico’s Appearance and Setting

The diary introduces the plan through an encounter backstage, where Nico appeared alongside John Cale. The narrator described her as beautiful again and noted that she looked thin in the face; her hair was dark brown, though Cale was having her dye it bright red. The entry also noted that she was staying at the Chelsea Hotel, placing the planned performance within a brief account of her appearance and circumstances.