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.
Ireland
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
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When I have time to rest.
All the people I love are there
And those who love me best.
[Chorus]
Then I heard the wind
Calling from over the sea
When will you be free?"
"Ireland, Ireland,
When will you be free?"
This land I go to when I'm tired
And need to see and walk in green.
The people who can laugh and drink
And see things others have not seen.
[Chorus]
There is another side to this pure land,
A side of blood and guilt and pain
A side of enemy and friend
And sorrow at the hearth side stain.
[Chorus]
There is a land that I can go to
When I have time to rest.
All the people I love are there
And those who love me best.
[Chorus]
"Ireland, Ireland,
When will you be free?"
"Ireland, Ireland,
When will you be free?"
Marianne Faithfull's song "Ireland" is about finding peace and solace in a land that is close to her heart, despite its tumultuous history. The song begins with a description of a place that the singer can escape to, a place of rest where she can be surrounded by the people she loves. The chorus, however, introduces a hint of melancholy as the wind calls to Ireland from across the sea, questioning when it will be free.
The second verse delves deeper into the reasons why the singer seeks refuge in Ireland. She longs for the lush greenery and the company of those who can appreciate life's simpler pleasures. But the final verse acknowledges the darker side of Ireland, the history of violence and pain that is still felt by its inhabitants. The sorrow at the "hearth side stain" alludes to the lingering impact of the Troubles and the ongoing struggle for peace in Northern Ireland.
The chorus repeats one last time, with the haunting refrain of "When will you be free?" echoing the yearning for a future where Ireland can exist without the burdens of its past. Overall, "Ireland" is a poignant tribute to a country that has captured the hearts of many, despite its complicated history.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a land that I can go to
I have a special place to go when I need rest.
When I have time to rest.
I go there when I have a moment to escape and find peace.
All the people I love are there
My loved ones are in this special place.
And those who love me best.
The people who care for me the most are in this place.
Then I heard the wind
One day, while I was there,
Calling from over the sea
I heard the wind coming from faraway over the water,
Saying, "Ireland, Ireland,
It seemed to call out to Ireland,
When will you be free?"
Wondering when it will be free and at peace.
"Ireland, Ireland,
Again it called to Ireland,
When will you be free?"
Urge to know when Ireland will be free of its tumultuous past.
This land I go to when I'm tired
I go to this land when I'm exhausted.
And need to see and walk in green.
I crave the sight of lush greenery and the comfort it brings.
The people who can laugh and drink
Those around me know how to have joy and share moments.
And see things others have not seen.
They have unique experiences and perspectives to share.
There is another side to this pure land,
But not every side of Ireland is pure and perfect.
A side of blood and guilt and pain
There is a history of violence, shame, and hurt.
A side of enemy and friend
Enemies and friends exist here, just like anywhere else.
And sorrow at the hearth side stain.
Everyone carries the burden of past tragedies and loss to some degree.
"Ireland, Ireland,
Despite all this,
When will you be free?"
There is still the hope and question of freedom for Ireland.
There is a land that I can go to
This special place remains,
When I have time to rest.
A refuge from the chaos of life.
All the people I love are there
And my loved ones remain by my side.
And those who love me best.
The ones who know and understand me best.
"Ireland, Ireland,
The question remains,
When will you be free?"
When will Ireland experience complete freedom?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARIANNE FAITHFULL, BARRY REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind