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.

Tenderness
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics

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I've noticed how few emotions stand the test of time.
Feelings come, feelings go, and the days are fine.

Night is dark, night is cold,
Passion lies down to die.
Tenderness [Repeats]

It's funny how romance fails us, giving way to love.

You look around, feel your freedom you're a slave to love.

Night is dark, night is cold,
Passion lies down to die.
Tenderness spirit moves me
Tenderness try to show me
Tenderness come on show me
Tenderness feelings grow and change.

I've noticed how few emotions stand the test of time.
Feelings come, feelings go, and the days are fine.

Night is dark, night is cold,
Passion lies down to die.
Tenderness really moves me
Tenderness try to show me
Tenderness come on show me
Tenderness feelings grow and change.

Don't think that because I don't know what's happening
That I ain't achin'
I never thought you would be showin'
Just what you been takin'.
It's not as simple as that
Don't think I don't know just when my heart's breakin'?

I ain't chosen I ain't chosen
I ain't chosen chosen chosen chosen chosen.

Tenderness [Repeats]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Marianne Faithfull’s song “Tenderness” describe how few emotions can stand the test of time, how feelings come and go, and how love can make us feel like slaves. The song explores the fragility of emotions and the changes they can bring in a relationship. The verses describe the darkness of the night and how passion can die, but the chorus is a plea for tenderness to move and show the singer love. The singer acknowledges that the situation is not simple, and although she does not know exactly what is happening, she still feels the pain and sees the heartbreak.

The song explores the themes of love, emotions, and the human experience. The lyrics suggest that feelings can be fleeting and temporary, things can happen without us understanding them fully, and we can still feel heartbroken even when we do not understand why. The chorus of the song is the most memorable part, with the repetition of "tenderness" creating a poignant and emotional appeal for love.

Overall, “Tenderness” is a song of emotional vulnerability, offering listeners a glimpse into the complicated human experience of love and heartbreak.

Line by Line Meaning

I've noticed how few emotions stand the test of time.
The singer observes that very few emotions or feelings remain unchanged throughout their lives.

Feelings come, feelings go, and the days are fine.
Emotions are transitory and while they may come and go, life moves on smoothly.

Night is dark, night is cold,
The darkness of the night affects the singer, making them feel lonely and isolated.

Passion lies down to die.
Intense emotions of passion fade and die with time, leaving the artist feeling empty and unfulfilled.

Tenderness [Repeats]
The song's refrain highlights the importance of tenderness as an enduring emotion that can stay even when other feelings disappear.

It's funny how romance fails us, giving way to love.
Romantic love often doesn't hold up over time, but true love sustained by tenderness can remain strong and enduring.

You look around, feel your freedom you're a slave to love.
The singer notes that love can be both liberating and restricting at the same time, with feelings of freedom countered by the demands of passion and commitment.

Tenderness spirit moves me
The artist is moved by the emotional power of tenderness, which goes beyond just physical passion.

Tenderness try to show me
The artist is searching for tenderness in their relationships, trying to find someone who can share that emotion.

Tenderness come on show me
The artist pleads with their partner to demonstrate the care and gentleness that comes from tenderness.

Tenderness feelings grow and change.
The emotional connection of tenderness is something that can evolve and develop, deepening over time and reinforcing other feelings of love and gratitude.

Don't think that because I don't know what's happening That I ain't achin'
The artist is acknowledging their own emotional pain, even if they may not be sure of the cause.

I never thought you would be showin' Just what you been takin'.
The singer is surprised that their partner has hurt them, as they didn't realize how much they had taken or what price they were paying.

It's not as simple as that Don't think I don't know just when my heart's breakin'?
The singer knows their own heart and emotions well, and is aware of the pain that can come even when things seem simple on the surface. They are hurting despite trying to maintain a facade of acceptance.

I ain't chosen I ain't chosen I ain't chosen chosen chosen chosen chosen.
The singer is frustrated with their situation, feeling like they don't have control or power over their own feelings and experiences.

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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