The first song that popped into my head when I heard about the sad departure of Marianne Faithfull was this...
I don't know why: it's not even about her, is it?
Ironically, on the day Marianne died, I featured Wild Horses, a song many people believe Mick Jagger wrote about her... though Mick denies it.
Before we get onto the songs most people will remember Marianne for, here are a few more lyrical nods...
And I don't mind the nights and the low light
We spin 'round like records in the apartment
You still remind me of Marianne Faithfull
Lookin' like a picture taken outta the sixties
Her first breath
Is drawn through a cigarette
Her first drink
Last night's scotch
Just to wet her cracked lips
She looks at the man beside her
Lying in the bed
She doesn't know his name
She only hopes he's not dead
She feels like
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull
She hopes at the end of the day
Someone remembers her name
And, of course, you know you're a legend when you end up in a Half Man Half Biscuit song...
I saw a young professional couple playing Poohsticks on a Cotswold bridge
I watched them walk along the banks of the Windrush eating jasmine ice cream
Before heading north to Warwick Arts Centre and Marianne Faithfull
Splendid
Anyhow. The song that most of the obituaries want us to remember by is her timeless Stones cover...
There's no denying she made that song her own.
For me though, it doesn't get any better than her performance of this Shel Silverstein classic. This is the one I'll remember her by.
So long, Marianne.
Agreed Rol.
ReplyDeleteThat's the one for me