Marianna Faithfull had a voice like very few others

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Originally known for being Mick Jagger’s strawberry blonde companion in the ’60s, Marianne Faithfull later transformed into a modern-day Billie Holiday within the realm of pop music. Faithfull, who tragically passed away last Thursday at the age of 78, was an authentic rock pioneer. Remarkably, she was discovered by Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham at the tender age of 16 in 1964 and released her debut album only two years later, in April of ’65.

On that particular day, two albums by Marianne Faithfull were launched: “Marianne Faithfull” and “Come My Way”. The former was a pop album featuring songs like “I’m a Loser” by Lennon & McCartney, “Come and Stay With Me” by Jackie DeShannon, and “Downtown” by Tony Hatch. However, Marianne Faithfull had a penchant for traditional folk music, which is why “Come My Way” was filled with classic folk tunes such as “House of the Rising Sun”, “Fare Thee Well”, and Lee Hays’ “Lonesome Traveler”.

Another tune from Marianne Faithfull was jointly penned by Oldham, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards, as well. The enchanting rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “As Tears Go By” marked her first success, making it into the UK Top Ten and the USA Top 25. However, “Come and Stay With Me” surpassed this achievement in popularity.

Marianne Faithfull passed away last week at age 78

In the second half of the ’60s, she planned to launch four additional albums – two in the UK and another pair in the U.S. However, her musical career was predominantly eclipsed by her high-profile romance with Jagger, as it garnered significant media attention.

The albums were somewhat inconsistent, combining her pop and folk influences, yet they still produced a notable number of strong tracks. This collection led to a well-regarded “Best Of” album in 1969, featuring a powerful rendition of the song she co-wrote with Jagger and Richards titled “Sister Morphine,” which hinted at a complex personality beneath her cool, cover girl image. Faithfull may not have been as renowned a singer as Jagger was during the 1960s, but her interpretations of “As Tears Go By” and “Sister Morphine” are arguably on par with or even superior to the Rolling Stones’ versions.

In addition, she embarked on her acting journey during the late ’60s, portraying Ophelia in Tony Richardson’s Hamlet and making a memorable appearance with a leather outfit in the adult film The Girl on a Motorcycle.

During the early 1970s, for about half of that decade, Faithfull, who had separated from Jagger, experienced a prolonged period of struggle. She was beset by numerous personal issues including a suicide attempt, drug addiction to heroin, and even homelessness. However, these hardships almost claimed her life, but she emerged as a transformed artist.

Her journey started with the release of her country album titled “Dreamin’ My Dreams” back in 1976. The voice that had begun to roughen towards the end of the ’60s, now seemed revitalized. It carried the weight of age, wisdom, and a wealth of experiences from a lifetime. She was on the cusp of turning thirty.

The songs “Lady Madelaine” and “I’m Not Lisa” from the album “Dreamin’ My Dreams” had a rough edge to them, but nothing could have predicted what was to come. In 1979, Faithfull’s groundbreaking work, “Broken English“, was released.

Her powerful rendition of Shel Silverstein’s “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” a poignant portrayal of the shattered suburban soul, lasted a heart-wrenching four minutes. She outshone John Lennon in his own song, “Working Class Hero.” The track with its politically charged title could easily be attributed to the Clash.

As a gamer, I’ve got to tell you about this killer track, “Why d’Ya Do It?” The intensity and raw energy of this song are on par with anything the Sex Pistols or the Slits were playing back then. Unfortunately, I can’t share the explicit lyrics here, but trust me, they’re as gritty and punk as it gets. If you’re intrigued, give it a spin – you won’t be disappointed!

In the years following her album “Broken English”, Faithfull continued to explore different musical genres. It wasn’t until 1999 that she collaborated with producer Daniel Lanois and Roger Waters, resulting in the release of “Vagabond Ways”. This album included songs from artists like Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Waters himself. By this time, Faithfull had established herself as a distinctive voice in music, often compared to legendary singers such as Billie Holiday. Just one syllable was needed to recognize Marianne Faithfull.

In her later career, she collaborated with many prominent figures at the forefront of diverse rock genres, ranging from John Prine, Steve Earle, Damon Albarn, and Beck. Eventually, she published the critically acclaimed album “Give My Love to London” in 2014.

A couple of years down the line, she put out “Negative Capability”, an equally powerful album, with assistance from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis who had turned into her exceptional partners in creation. The record included a fresh take on “As Tears Go By”, the song that catapulted her to fame as a youngster. It stands as a breathtaking counterpart to the original version.

2021 found me, Faithfull, battling back to health after a close brush with Covid-19. With renewed vigor, I joined forces once more with my partner in music, Ellis, for what would become our swan song – our final studio album together. On the enchanting She Walks in Beauty, I lend my voice to the timeless verses of Byron, Keats, and Shelley, harmonizing over the evocative soundscapes crafted by Ellis. Additionally, Cave and Brian Eno provided their unique contributions, making this a truly collaborative effort.

Leading musicians were eager to collaborate with Marianne Faithfull, as her unique voice is seldom encountered.

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2025-02-05 17:01