Venus in Furs (song)
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| "Venus in Furs" | ||
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| Song by The Velvet Underground | ||
| from the album The Velvet Underground and Nico | ||
| Released | March 1967 | |
| Recorded | May 1966 T.T.G. Studios, Hollywood, California | |
| Genre | Rock and roll | |
| Length | 5:12 | |
| Label | Verve Records | |
| Writer(s) | Lou Reed | |
| Composer(s) | Lou Reed | |
| Producer(s) | Andy Warhol | |
| The Velvet Underground and Nico track listing | ||
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"Venus in Furs" is a song by The Velvet Underground, written by Lou Reed and originally released on the 1967 album The Velvet Underground and Nico. An early version of the song was recorded during April 1966 at Sceptor Studios, New York City but it was re-recorded for the album during a stay in Hollywood in May. Inspired by the book of the same name by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, the music featured John Cale's cacophonous viola. The song deals with themes of sado-masochism, bondage and submission.
The song was used in the Oliver Stone film The Doors (1991) and in Gus Van Sant's Last Days (2005).
Steven Severin, from Siouxsie & the Banshees, developed his artistic last name inspired by the song, in which the name of von Sacher-Masoch's protagonist, "Severin", is repeated.
[edit] Cover versions
Lou Reed has recorded several solo versions of the song and John Cale also performs it with his band. In addition, the following artists have recorded it.
| Artist | Year | appears on album |
|---|---|---|
| Niagara | ? | Beyond the Pale compilation |
| The Melvins | 1991 | "Here She Comes Now/Venus in Furs" (split single with Nirvana) |
| The Smashing Pumpkins | 1994 | "Mashed Potatoes (bootleg)" |
| Christian Death | 1995 | Death in Detroit |
| Rosetta Stone | 1996 | Hiding in Waiting EP |
| Bettie Serveert | 1998 | Plays "Venus in Furs" and Other Velvet Underground Songs |
| Dave Navarro | 2001 | Trust No One |
| Hugh Cornwell | 2002 | Footprints in the Desert |
| Krieg | 2004 | The Black House |
| Monster Magnet | 2005 | Monolithic Baby! |
| DeVotchKa | 2006 | Curse Your Little Heart EP |
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