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.
The Stars Line Up
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
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The stars line up for me tonight
The stars line up
The stars line up tonight to see
To see who we are, baby
And write our names
High up inside the sky
The stars line up for me tonight
The stars line up
The stars line up tonight to see
To see what we know, baby
And write our names
High up inside the sky
I lined them up for you
The time is clear
What else is there to do?
The stars line up
The stars line up for us tonight
The stars line up
The stars line up tonight to see
To see who we are, baby
Let's write our names
High up inside the sky
I hope you know
I hope you know the way I feel
I want you so
I hope you know the way I feel
I feel about you, baby
Let's write our names
High up inside the sky
The first lines of "The Stars Line Up" suggest that something auspicious is happening--the stars, typically associated with fate and destiny, are aligning in some way. The repetition of "The stars line up for me tonight" emphasizes this air of possibility, as does the later lyric, "Let's write our names high up inside the sky." Something important is happening, and the singer wants to commemorate it in some way.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the occasion in question involves a romantic partner. The singer addresses this person directly, using terms of endearment like "baby" and emphasizing their shared experience--"to see who we are" and "to see what we know." The singer even goes so far as to say "I lined them up for you," suggesting that the stars' alignment was a deliberate act on their part.
Line by Line Meaning
The stars line up
It feels like everything is falling into place perfectly.
The stars line up for me tonight
Everything is aligning perfectly for me tonight.
The stars line up tonight to see
The alignment of stars tonight is a spectacle to behold.
To see who we are, baby
The stars are a mirror of our goals, dreams, and aspirations.
And write our names
Leaving something to be remembered by.
High up inside the sky
Creating a lasting impact.
To see what we know, baby
Reflecting on our knowledge and experiences.
I lined them up for you
I have put everything in place for you.
The time is clear
The right moment is evident and unmistakable.
What else is there to do?
Seizing this moment is the only way forward.
The stars line up for us tonight
Everything is aligning perfectly for us tonight.
Let's write our names
Leaving something to be remembered by.
I hope you know
I want to make sure you understand.
I hope you know the way I feel
I hope you understand my emotions towards you.
I feel about you, baby
My feelings for you are strong and true.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANGELO BADALAMENTI, MARIANNE FAITHFULL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind