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.
So Sad
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fears sure built into every wall
Looking hard through the glass,
Fears sure built in with every waltz
Looking out at the rain
Looking in through the storm
Treading the waves,
How could you regret your other words
Hoping for thrills, free as a bird
Strum me hard, strum me fast,
Fears sure built into every wall
Looking hard through the glass,
Fears sure built in with every waltz
There's a knock at the door,
I get up, let you in
Travelled and stained,
Soaked to the skin
Welcome my darling, you got here at last
Come and sit by the fire, forget what's past
So sad, so sad,
So sad, so sad
Strum me hard, strum me fast,
Fears sure built into every wall
Looking hard through the glass,
Fears sure built in with every waltz
Looking out at the rain
Looking in through the storm
Looking back, looking forward,
Flying up, flying down
What have you found?
So sad, so sad
What have you found?
So sad, so sad
What have you found?
So sad, so sad
What have you found?
So sad, so sad
The lyrics to Marianne Faithfull's "So Sad" are a contemplative reflection on fear, regrets, and finding comfort in the midst of life's storms. The opening lyrics, "Strum me hard, strum me fast," suggest an urgent call to action, as though the singer is craving connection and release from their fears. The repetition of the phrase "fears sure built into every wall" reinforces the pervasive nature of these fears, suggesting that they are inescapable and feel almost like physical obstacles.
The second verse shifts to a more observational tone, with the singer looking out at the rain and in through the storm. The mention of "treading the waves" suggests that they are weathering some sort of emotional turmoil, but still trying to keep their head above water. The line "How could you regret your other words" is ambiguous, but could suggest a feeling of regret or missed opportunities. The following line, "Hoping for thrills, free as a bird," contrasts with the fear and regret that has been established earlier in the song, suggesting a desire to break free from those limiting emotions.
The third verse introduces a new character - "you" - who knocks on the singer's door. The singer then greets them with warmth and comfort, inviting them to sit by the fire and forget about the past. This could suggest that despite the fear and sadness that has been expressed earlier, the singer is still capable of finding connection and comfort with others.
Overall, "So Sad" is a melancholic and introspective song that speaks to universal themes of fear, regret, and the search for connection and comfort in life's storms.
Line by Line Meaning
Strum me hard, strum me fast,
Play vigorously and quickly
Fears sure built into every wall
Anxiety can pervade even the most solid structures
Looking hard through the glass,
Staring intensely through a window
Fears sure built in with every waltz
Anxiety can be felt even while dancing
Looking out at the rain
Observing precipitation falling from the sky
Looking in through the storm
Examining one's life during tumultuous times
Treading the waves,
Navigating choppy waters
Come in from harm
Finding safety and refuge after a difficult time
How could you regret your other words
Feeling remorse for past statements
Hoping for thrills, free as a bird
Dreaming of excitement and carefree living
There's a knock at the door,
Hearing someone request entry
I get up, let you in
Standing to allow someone to come inside
Travelled and stained,
Tired and dirtied from journeying
Soaked to the skin
Sopping wet from the rain
Welcome my darling, you got here at last
Greeting someone who has finally arrived
Come and sit by the fire, forget what's past
Inviting someone to relax and leave troubles behind
So sad, so sad,
Expressing deep sadness
Looking back, looking forward,
Reflecting on the past and anticipating the future
Flying up, flying down
Experiencing highs and lows
What have you found?
Asking what has been discovered
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID YORK STEPHEN, BARRY (GB) REYNOLDS, MARIANNE FAITHFULL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MARY TSAVOU
πόσο όμορφη φωνή.. πόσο όμορφη μελωδία.. πόσο υπέροχο τραγούδι.. ένας ύμνος για τις χαμένες αγάπες όλων μας!!!!
Ειρήνη Αλεξάκη
Πόση δύναμη κρύβει μια ανάμνηση μέσα από ένα κομμάτι είναι μαγικό.να σου έρχεται το συναίσθημα που είχες όταν το άκουσες πρώτη φορά 20 χρόνια πριν..έχουν αυτό το "κάτι"αυτά τα κομμάτια❤️
Thanos Liotos
👌🎯
Παναγιωτης Κουρκουλης
Πολύ νοσταλγικό κομμάτι πραγματικά και αντικειμενικά πολύ ωραίο βέβαια
Αλεξανδρος Τσομπανογλου
Μια από τις μεγαλύτερες μπαλάντες όλον τον εποχών!!!! 2022 🙏🙏🌹
stratego21
Το ακούς και απλά "ταξιδεύεις" σε πιο αγνές και αθώες εποχές.. μοναδικό αλήθεια..
GERASIMOS PROTONOTARIOS
Υπέροχο τραγούδι ύμνος της δεκαετίας του 80 και τών τότε σχολικών μας χρόνων.
Philippa_.M !
2021...and this masterpiece still blow's me away!!
εχεφρων
αλλαξαν οι ανθρωποι αλλαξε κ η μουσικη ευτυχως που υπαρχουν αυτα τα διαμαντια να μας υπενθυμιζουν την ομορφια των συναισθηματων
Minoru Mike Aoki
I shall be 84 years old in a week and listening to this song almost everyday while taking a walk.