Is This What I Get For Loving You?
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics


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There's been a lot of talk around
That you've been seen with a certain party
And now I'm so afraid I'm losing you
Oh, baby don't tell me you don't want my love
I couldn't give it to just anybody
Baby won't you say it isn't true

Don't leave me baby
Don't tell me it's over
After I trusted you
And did my best to make you happy
Is this what I get for lovin' you baby
Is this what I get for lovin' you baby
There was a night when you held me tight
And you said you'd always love me
You said you'd never hurt me

What will there be left for me
It's such a cruel world to be alone in
I always needed you to look out for me
Oh baby, I'm gonna miss your lovin' arms
They're the only arms I feel at home in
Don't you know how lonely I'm gonna be

Don't leave me baby
Don't tell me it's over
After I trusted you
And did my best to make you happy
Is this what I get for lovin' you baby
Is this what I get for lovin' you baby
There was a night when you held me tight




And you said you'd always love me
You said you'd never hurt me

Overall Meaning

In Marianne Faithfull's song "Is This What I Get For Loving You," she expresses her fear of losing her lover to another woman. The rumors of her lover being seen with another woman bring a sense of insecurity to Faithfull, and she becomes scared of losing his love. Faithfull's vulnerability is evident in the lines, "Oh, baby don't tell me you don't want my love, I couldn't give it to just anybody, Baby won't you say it isn't true." She is pouring her heart out, hoping that he won't leave her.


Faithfull speaks of the promises that were made earlier in the relationship. "There was a night when you held me tight, And you said you'd always love me, You said you'd never hurt me." The betrayal of the promises made makes Faithfull question, "Is this what I get for loving you baby?" She feels as though her efforts to make her lover happy and her trust in him are not reciprocated.


The lyrics in "Is This What I Get For Loving You" showcase Faithfull's insecurities and her need for love and affection like any other human. The song highlights the pain and heartbreak that comes along with loving and losing someone.


Line by Line Meaning

There's been a lot of talk around
There are rumors and gossip going around about you


That you've been seen with a certain party
People have seen you with someone else


And now I'm so afraid I'm losing you
I'm scared that I am losing you to someone else


Oh, baby don't tell me you don't want my love
Please don't say that you don't want my love anymore


I couldn't give it to just anybody
I have reserved my love only for you


Baby won't you say it isn't true
Please tell me that the rumors about you are false


Don't leave me baby
Please don't leave me


Don't tell me it's over
Please don't say that our relationship is over


After I trusted you
I trusted you with my heart and my love


And did my best to make you happy
I tried my hardest to make you happy


Is this what I get for lovin' you baby
Is this the way you repay me for loving you?


There was a night when you held me tight
I remember the night when you held me close


And you said you'd always love me
You promised me that you would always love me


You said you'd never hurt me
You made a vow that you would never hurt me


What will there be left for me
What will my life be without you?


It's such a cruel world to be alone in
Being alone in this cruel world is unbearable


I always needed you to look out for me
I relied on you to take care of me


Oh baby, I'm gonna miss your lovin' arms
I will miss being held by you


They're the only arms I feel at home in
Your arms are the only place where I feel safe and loved


Don't you know how lonely I'm gonna be
Do you understand how lonely I will be without you?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: PHIL SPECTOR, GERRY GOFFIN, CAROLE KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

J.C. B

The dixieland jazz bridge is a surprise and amazing. Fantastic arrangement. And her voice is breaking away from bubblegum pop. Who needs the wall of sound! 😁 This is one of the first songs of hers that I heard on my old suitcase turntable. I fell in love. I'll let you know when I fall out. 😍

slobomotion

Apparently she didn't like this but I got it second hand before her comeback and it floored me. Harpsichord, bongos, those lyrics, that on the brink voice? I was going through hell and it was the perfect soundtrack. Thanks so much for this. Uprated and shared.

Bazza Riley

Great track - I fell head over heels in love with her when she released this - it's got everything - luv it.

Andrew Jarvis

Marianne unfairly ignored by too many for too long. I love the trumpet towards the end.

Steve915

I love Marianne's version of this song!

Music Roolsman

Yep. Peace.

Music Roolsman

This tune was perfect in a sense for me and my first beautiful true love in 1967 although eventually that year became one of regret for me but that's life. The love remains within today. Peace.

Music Roolsman

Can't believe the nitpickers! Just enjoy the music! One of a kind girl with a unique sound and an "honest voice" and personally wouldn't want Marianne's songs produced any other way. Marianne Faithful's beauty and talent captivated me in the sixties and remains so today.I loved her then and the same love remains so. I loved another then also... Peace.

Dave Gunderson

awesome song.. songs of my childhood.

R W

Absolutely magical 😊 Thank you so much. 👏

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