Electra
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics


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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?

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?

Overall Meaning

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

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