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.
Electra
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
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Not quite yours and not quite mine
Who she is can't say for sure
Could be from another tide
She's the Queen of Sheba, my father's mother
Her face is low flying Africa
She says to me she is not me
So tell me, tell me who is she?
You'd think she owns the streets of Dublin
They say she's king of Torquay island
She trades in piracy and sinning
She knows where you go at night
And when you think you've finally reached her
She laughs and says, "Babe, it's all right."
I know that woman in the mirror
That creature has my thoughts as eyes
He saw her once and then forgot her
She remembers all his lies
He spoke in secrets and in German
Kissed in tongues and slept in sighs
She says to me she's not my father
So tell me, tell me who is she?
Tell me, tell me who is she?
You'd think she owns the streets of Dublin
They say she's king of Torquay island
She trades in piracy and sinning
She knows where you go at night
And when you think you've finally reached her
She laughs and says, "Babe, it's all right."
I know that woman in the mirror
Not quite yours and not quite mine
Who she is can't say for sure
Could be from another tide
She's the Queen of Sheba, my father's mother
Her face is low flying Africa
She says to me she is not me
So tell me, tell me who is she?
Tell me, tell me who is she?
Tell me, tell me who is she?
Tell me, tell me who is she?
The song "Electra" by Marianne Faithfull is a haunting exploration of identity and self-discovery. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman staring at herself in the mirror, but unsure of who she really is. Is she the woman staring back at her, or is she someone else entirely? The reference to the Queen of Sheba, a legendary figure from Ethiopian history, adds to the sense of mystery, suggesting that the woman in the mirror may be connected to a deeper, more ancient past.
Throughout the song, there are hints and references to different places and times, from Dublin to Torquay island. The woman in the mirror is a complex figure, a pirate who knows where you go at night and who trades in sinning. At times, she seems to be in control, laughing and telling the singer that everything will be all right. But there is also a sense of danger and uncertainty, as the singer struggles to understand who this woman really is and what she wants from her.
Overall, "Electra" is a deeply introspective and poetic song that explores themes of identity, memory, and the search for self-knowledge. It is a testament to Marianne Faithfull's rich and powerful voice, as well as her ability to draw on a wide range of influences and styles to create something truly unique and haunting.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that woman in the mirror
The singer recognizes the woman she sees in the mirror
Not quite yours and not quite mine
The woman in the mirror is familiar but not completely understood
Who she is can't say for sure
The singer is unsure of the true identity of the woman in the mirror
Could be from another tide
The woman in the mirror could be from a different time or place
She's the Queen of Sheba, my father's mother
The woman in the mirror is associated with the singer's ancestry
Her face is low flying Africa
The woman in the mirror has features associated with African cultures
She says to me she is not me
The woman in the mirror claims she is not the singer
So tell me, tell me who is she?
The singer is asking for help in understanding the identity of the woman in the mirror
You'd think she owns the streets of Dublin
The woman in the mirror exudes confidence and authority
They say she's king of Torquay island
The woman in the mirror is rumored to have power and influence over a specific location
She trades in piracy and sinning
The woman in the mirror may engage in illegal or immoral activities
She knows where you go at night
The woman in the mirror is aware of the singer's movements
And when you think you've finally reached her
The woman in the mirror is elusive and difficult to understand
She laughs and says, "Babe, it's all right."
The woman in the mirror reassures the singer and finds humor in her confusion
That creature has my thoughts as eyes
The woman in the mirror seems to reflect the singer's own thoughts and emotions
He saw her once and then forgot her
A man who once met the woman in the mirror did not remember her
She remembers all his lies
The woman in the mirror recalls the lies of this man
He spoke in secrets and in German
The man who met the woman in the mirror communicated in a secretive and foreign language
Kissed in tongues and slept in sighs
The woman in the mirror and the man shared intimate moments
So tell me, tell me who is she?
The singer is still seeking to understand the true identity of the woman in the mirror
Tell me, tell me who is she?
The refrain repeats the singer's desire to find out who the woman in the mirror truly is
Tell me, tell me who is she?
The refrain repeats the singer's question once more
Tell me, tell me who is she?
The refrain emphasizes the central mystery and longing of the song
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAMEON BECKETT, CHRISTOPHER BIRCH, MARIANNE FAITHFULL, DAVE WILLARD ANTHONY KELLY, FRANK MCGUINNESS, TROY MCLEAN, BARRY REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind