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.
Paris Bells
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
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No one stirs in the town.
The morning after the rain
The barges move on the Seine.
Down the avenue lined with trees
Paris bells ring on the breezeParis bells ring on the breeze.
Dawn is breaking, birds start to sing,
Sun is rising, warms everything.
The echo of footsteps on a cobbled street,
Dim alleyways where the shadows meet.
Down the avenue lined with trees
Paris bells ring on the breeze
Paris bells ring on the breeze.
The places where we used to visit,
The chapel where we went to wed.
Paris bells on the breeze
Often stir memories.
We both knew the morning rain
We both wandered down the Seine.
Now you're gone away from me
You're just a memory
Like the bells ring on the breeze,
Paris bells ring on the breeze.
The lyrics to Marianne Faithfull’s “Paris Bells” describe the stillness and solitude of a quiet town after a rainy morning. The barges move along the Seine while the echo of footsteps on cobbled streets creates a haunting atmosphere. There is a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past, as the singer reflects on memories of visiting certain places, including the chapel where she wed. The Paris bells ringing on the breeze create a poignant reminder of the past, and are a constant presence that she can always rely on.
The use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the atmosphere of the song. The morning after the rain evokes a sense of freshness and new beginnings. The echo of footsteps and dim alleyways create a mysterious and eerie vibe, while the Paris bells ringing on the breeze symbolize the unchanging and constant reminder of the past. The lyrics also paint a picture of a deserted town, with nobody stirring, emphasizing the sense of loneliness and isolation.
Overall, “Paris Bells” is a contemplative and melancholic song that speaks to the power of memory and nostalgia. The theme of loss and remembrance is conveyed through vivid imagery and a haunting melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Past the cafe shutters down,
There is no movement in the town, as the cafe shutters remain closed and untouched.
The morning after the rain
Moving on the Seine are the barges, after the rainfall from the previous night.
Down the avenue lined with trees
Paris bells ring on the breeze
Paris bells ring on the breeze.
Amidst the trees-lined boulevard, the Parisian bells ring through the air, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
Dawn is breaking, birds start to sing,
Sun is rising, warms everything.
As the morning sun begins to rise, the birds commence their singing, creating a soothing and warm ambiance.
The echo of footsteps on a cobbled street,
Dim alleyways where the shadows meet.
Footsteps can be heard echoing through the cobbled streets, while the alleyways offer a calming spot where the shadows seem to converge.
The places where we used to visit,
The chapel where we went to wed.
Memories of the cherished places where they used to visit, or where their wedding was held at the chapel, linger.
Paris bells on the breeze
Often stir memories.
The sound of the Parisian bells often triggers memories and creates a nostalgic feeling.
We both knew the morning rain
We both wandered down the Seine.
Both of them had spent time together, under the morning rain, walking on the banks of the Seine.
Now you're gone away from me
You're just a memory
Like the bells ring on the breeze,
Paris bells ring on the breeze.
Unfortunately, they are no longer together, and the sound of the Parisian bells, ringing through the air, is just another memory among memories.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALUN DAVIES, JOHN BURCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind