Born in Hampstead, London, Faithfull began her career in 1964 after attending a Rolling Stones party, where she was discovered by Andrew Loog Oldham. Her debut album Marianne Faithfull (released simultaneously with her album Come My Way on April 15, 1965) was a commercial success followed by a number of albums on Decca Records. From 1966 to 1970, she had a highly publicised romantic relationship with Mick Jagger. Her popularity was further enhanced by her film roles, such as those in I'll Never Forget What's'isname (1967), The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968), and Hamlet (1969). However, her popularity was overshadowed by personal problems in the 1970s. During that time she was anorexic, homeless and a heroin addict.
Noted for her distinctive voice, Faithfull's previously melodic and higher-registered vocals (which were prevalent throughout her career in the 1960s) were affected by severe laryngitis, coupled with persistent drug abuse during the 1970s, permanently altering her voice, leaving it raspy, cracked and lower in pitch. This new sound was praised as "whisky soaked" by some critics and seen as having helped to capture the raw emotions expressed in Faithfull's music.
After a long commercial absence, Faithfull made a comeback with the 1979 release of her critically acclaimed album Broken English. The album was a commercial success and marked a resurgence of her musical career. Broken English earned Faithfull a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and is often regarded as her "definitive recording". She followed this with a series of albums, including Dangerous Acquaintances (1981), A Child's Adventure (1983) and Strange Weather (1987). Faithfull also wrote three books about her life: Faithfull: An Autobiography (1994), Memories, Dreams & Reflections (2007) and Marianne Faithfull: A Life on Record (2014).
Faithfull is listed on VH1's "100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll" list. She received the World Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Women's World Awards and was made a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the government of France.
As Tears Go By
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sit and watch the children play
Smiling faces I can see
But not for me
I sit and watch as tears go by
My riches can't buy everything
I want to hear the children singAll I hear is the sound
Of rain falling on the ground
I sit and watch as tears go by
It is the evening of the day
I sit and watch the children play
Doing things I used to do
They think are new
I sit and watch as tears go by
Mm-hmm-hmm-hmm-mm-hmm-hmm
Mm-hmm-hmm-hmm-mm-hmm-hmm
Mm-hmm-hmm-hmm-mm-hmm
The lyrics to Marianne Faithfull's song "As Tears Go By" tell a story of feeling disconnected from the world around her. Despite watching children playing and smiling, she cannot partake in their joy. The line "But not for me" reflects her feelings of sadness and isolation. The second verse speaks to her realization that her wealth cannot buy her happiness and she longs to hear the children singing. However, she is left with only the sound of rain falling on the ground, further emphasizing her feelings of sadness and disconnect.
Line by Line Meaning
It is the evening of the day
The singer is watching the sunset.
I sit and watch the children play
The singer is observing children playing.
Smiling faces I can see
The children have happy expressions.
But not for me
The artist cannot share in their joy.
I sit and watch as tears go by
The artist is crying while watching the children.
My riches can't buy everything
The singer's wealth cannot bring them true happiness.
I want to hear the children sing
The singer wants to experience the children's joy.
All I hear is the sound
The artist only hears the noise of rainfall.
Of rain falling on the ground
The sound of the raindrops hitting the earth.
I sit and watch as tears go by
The artist is still crying and watching the children.
Doing things I used to do
The children are engaging in activities the singer once enjoyed.
They think are new
The children mistake these activities as novel.
I sit and watch as tears go by
The singer is deeply emotional while observing the children.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andrew Loog Oldham, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@madmeister407
RIP Marianne, you will be missed.
@andrestapiastorres
RIP Marianne, beautiful voice, beautiful soul.
@PRCOM
R.I.P Marieanne, beautiful voice and person, sadly died today aged 78
@Coolyoghurt22
RIP Marianne. You had an amazing voice now you are an angel 😇 ❤
@bryanjdavis84
RIP Marianne, 30/01/25, listening to this lovely song and thinking of you.
@lufc8008
Rip.. brilliant track. Beautiful person Underrated underplayed...never will be forgotten 😢❤
@michaelrafa100
It has been more than 60 years since I first heard this song but I think that I now finally get it.
@robmitchell2733
Rest in peace, Marianne. This was an absolutely beautiful vocal performance you left us.
@johnosborne25
true rob i loved her aswell
@TimothyBellamy-ow5nh
❤❤❤🎉🎉Much Love.. From a 63 yr old fan of yesterday... Pray for your healing ✝️👏🛐♥️🌹🙏