Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull is an English singer and actress. She ach… Read Full Bio ↴Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull is an English singer and actress. She achieved popularity in the 1960s with the release of her hit single "As Tears Go By" and became one of the lead female artists during the British Invasion in the United States.

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.

Sweetheart
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sweetheart,
I'm changing my role in life.
I'm not rearranging the main things in my life.
I ain't sacrificing what I hold as true.
I ain't sacrificing, sweetheart, even for you.

Sweetheart, I'm changing my mode of life.
I'm not rearranging the main things in my life.

I'm not giving up, now, in mixed company.
I'll be holding on, now, looking to find my identity.

My freedom means too much to give up now.
It doesn't matter to you anyhow.

Sweetheart.
Sweetheart.

My freedom means too much to give up now,
And did it matter so much anyhow.

Sweetheart,
I'm changing my role in life.
I ain't rearranging the main things in my life.
I ain't sacrificing what I hold as true.
I ain't sacrificing, sweetheart, even for you.

My freedom means too much to give up now,
And did it matter so much anyhow.

Sweetheart.

Sweetheart.
Sweetheart.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Marianne Faithfull's song "Sweetheart" describe her realization that she needs to change her role and mode of life while maintaining her core beliefs and values. She expresses her desire to hold on to her freedom and identity, even if it means not sacrificing for her loved one. She emphasizes that she is not giving up and will continue to look for her identity while ensuring that the main things in her life are not rearranged.

The lyrics reveal an internal struggle between the desire for personal freedom and the sacrifice needed for a successful relationship. It seems that Marianne has come to a point where she recognizes the importance of maintaining her independence and personal beliefs, and emphasizes that she will not give up her freedom for anyone or anything. This is an empowering message that encourages individuals to prioritize their own needs and values while pursuing a successful relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Sweetheart, I'm changing my role in life.
I am creating a new path for myself, a new way of being.

I'm not rearranging the main things in my life.
I'm not altering the things which are most important to me.

I ain't sacrificing what I hold as true.
I am not giving up on my beliefs, even when it's hard.

I ain't sacrificing, sweetheart, even for you.
I won't compromise on what I believe in, even if it means losing you.

Sweetheart, I'm changing my mode of life.
I am shifting my way of living, changing my approach.

I'm not giving up, now, in mixed company.
I won't change who I am for the sake of fitting in with others.

I'll be holding on, now, looking to find my identity.
I will hold onto who I am, discovering my true self in the process.

My freedom means too much to give up now.
I value my independence too highly to give it up.

It doesn't matter to you anyhow.
You don't care about my freedom or what it means to me.

My freedom means too much to give up now,
I cannot surrender my independence, it's too important to me.

And did it matter so much anyhow.
And did my freedom really matter to you at all?

Sweetheart.
An affectionate term for the person she is addressing.

Sweetheart.
Repeating the affectionate term.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARIANNE FAITHFULL, BARRY REYNOLDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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