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.
Spanish Is A Loving Tongue
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
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Soft as music, light as spray
'twas a boy I learnt it from
Living down sonora way.
He didn't look much like a lover
Yet I say his love words over
Often when I'm all alone,
Mi amor, mi corazon.
Moonlight on the patio,
Old señora nodding near.
Me and juan were talking low
So the madre couldn't hear.
How those hours would go a-flying
And too soon I'd hear him sighing,
Softly murmuring sweet and low,
"mi amor, mi corazon."
Haven't seen him since that night,
He can't cross the line you know.
Wanted for a gambling fight,
Well, perhaps it's better so.
Yet I sometimes sort of miss him
Since that last sad night I kissed him
Softly murmuring sweet and low,
"adios, mi corazon."
The song "Spanish Is A Loving Tongue" by Marianne Faithfull is a romantic ballad that tells a story of a woman recalling her memories of a former lover who taught her the Spanish language. The song begins with the singer describing Spanish as a tender, gentle language and how she learned it from a boy who lived in Sonora. She reminisces about how she still recites the words of love he taught her, even when she is alone. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a moonlit evening on a patio, where the singer and her lover, Juan, are having a secret conversation, trying to keep it from the watchful eyes of an old senora nearby. The memories of their time together have stayed with her even though they haven't seen each other since that night. The song ends with the singer bidding her lover farewell, knowing that they can never be together again.
The lyrics of the song are poignant and eloquent. They capture the essence of a lost love and the longing that accompanies it. The melody is slow and melodious, adding to the soulful quality of the song. The soft guitar strumming and Marianne Faithfull's plaintive voice make the song all the more immersive. "Spanish Is A Loving Tongue" is a classic example of a romantic ballad that has the power to stir emotions and leave the listener with a sense of nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
Spanish is a loving tongue
Spanish is a language that conveys love with tenderness and warmth.
Soft as music, light as spray
The Spanish language is gentle and delicate, like a soft melody and a light mist.
'twas a boy I learnt it from
I learned to speak Spanish from a young man.
Living down sonora way.
The young man lived in Sonora, a state in Mexico.
He didn't look much like a lover
The young man didn't fit the characteristics of a typical romantic partner.
Yet I say his love words over
However, I still repeat his words of love.
Often when I'm all alone,
I usually recite the words when I'm by myself.
Mi amor, mi corazon.
My love, my heart.
Moonlight on the patio,
The moonlight shone on the outdoor area.
Old señora nodding near.
An elderly woman was asleep close by.
Me and juan were talking low
Juan and I were whispering to each other.
So the madre couldn't hear.
So the mother couldn't hear us.
How those hours would go a-flying
Time passed quickly during those moments.
And too soon I'd hear him sighing,
Before I knew it, he would be sighing.
Softly murmuring sweet and low,
He would whisper softly, lovingly,
mi amor, mi corazon.
my love, my heart.
Haven't seen him since that night,
I haven't seen him since that night.
He can't cross the line you know.
He is unable to cross over to my side of the border.
Wanted for a gambling fight,
He is being sought after for involvement in a dispute related to gambling.
Well, perhaps it's better so.
Maybe it's for the best that we stay apart.
Yet I sometimes sort of miss him,
Despite everything, I do miss him.
Since that last sad night I kissed him
Since the last night I said goodbye to him with a heavy heart.
Softly murmuring sweet and low,
Whispering lovingly and tenderly,
adios, mi corazon.
goodbye, my heart.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES CLARK, MARC WILLIAMS ELLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@georgepollastri7701
This Is So Beautiful, I Think of a beautiful Lady Called Jessica, Wow what a lovely Lady she was will love her always ( Wonder if she still remembers me )
@christie1947
@CountrynIrish,what a lovely singer she was way back in the good old days as they say ,It brought back some lovely memories ,thanks John for sharing .Christie .
@WilmaHomemadeMusic
@CountrynIrish i like this song very much .....so beautiful sang by Marianne thanx for sharing this one with me x wilma
@CountrynIrish
Great Version ! Love it ! It's a wonderful song and she sings it beautifully ! Fantastic Video ! It really suits the music ! Thank you so much for sharing this superb upload ! 5*****+
@magicwoman116
Beautiful song. Love Marianne. Excellent vocals. Just beautful lyrics, i really enjoyed this Wayne, thank you so much for the share, Cheri
@nitropost
Hey Donald, listen and learn.