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.
Times Square
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
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Hiding from the fast talk
Watch 'don't walk' to 'walk'
Easy when you're dreaming
Staring at the movies
Standing in a circle
Laughing at the wrong time
I'd take a shot a minute
And be there by the hour
Take a walk around times square
With a pistol in my suitcase
And my eyes on the tv
In a car taking a back seat
Staring out the window
Thinking about danger
Playing in a wrong world
Fighting ¡º but I'm not free
Talking on the telephone
Talking about you and me
If jesus christ could take me here
I'd fall dawn on my knees
Have no questions to his answers
Take a walk around times square
With a pistol in my suitcase
And my eyes on the tv
Alcohol could take me there
I'd take a shot a minute
And be there by the hour
Take a walk around times square
With a pistol in my suitcase
And my eyes on the tv
And if I die gaining my senses
Wake up in a hotel
Staring at the ceiling
The lyrics of Marianne Faithfull's Times Square describe the disillusionment and dissatisfaction of a person living in a tired part of the city, possibly New York City. The person is tired of the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced city and is searching for something more meaningful. The lyrics suggest a longing for escape, either through alcohol or religious experiences. The singer imagines being in Times Square, a hub of commercial activity, with a pistol in their suitcase and their eyes fixed on the TV, suggesting a desire to disconnect from reality. The lines "take a shot a minute and be there by the hour" could imply the singer's desire to lose themselves in alcohol to escape their reality.
The second verse talks about the same person being in a car, staring out the window, and thinking about danger. The lyrics "playing in the wrong world, fighting but I'm not free" suggest a feeling of helplessness and frustration. The person talks on the phone and discusses 'you and me,' which could be a conversation about a relationship that is not working out. The lines "have no questions to his answers" could suggest the singer's desire to embrace religion as a means of finding answers.
Overall, the lyrics of Times Square paint a bleak picture of isolation and disillusionment, with a desire to escape through alcohol or religion.
Line by Line Meaning
In a tired part of the city
Marianne Faithfull is in a rundown area of the city.
Hiding from the fast talk
Marianne is trying to escape from the fast-paced city life around her.
Watch 'don't walk' to 'walk'
Marianne is observing the traffic signals in Times Square.
Easy when you're dreaming
It's easier to navigate Times Square in your dreams than in reality.
Staring at the movies
Marianne is watching the advertisements and screens around Times Square.
Standing in a circle
Marianne is surrounded by people in the bustling area.
Laughing at the wrong time
Marianne is not sure when to laugh in such an overwhelming and unfamiliar environment.
If alcohol could take me there
Marianne is considering using alcohol as an escape from reality.
I'd take a shot a minute
Marianne would consume alcohol rapidly to numb her senses and cope with Times Square's energy.
And be there by the hour
Marianne would arrive at her desired mental state quickly with alcohol.
Take a walk around times square
Marianne wants to venture around Times Square to experience it firsthand.
With a pistol in my suitcase
Marianne is bracing herself for potential danger in the area.
And my eyes on the tv
As she navigates the streets, Marianne keeps an eye on the advertisements and screens around Times Square.
In a car taking a back seat
Marianne is in a car, not driving, and taking a back seat in her own life.
Staring out the window
Marianne is gazing out of the car and contemplating the world around her.
Thinking about danger
Marianne is concerned about the dangers that lurk in unfamiliar parts of the city.
Playing in a wrong world
Marianne feels like she's living in a world where she doesn't belong.
Fighting ¡º but I'm not free
Marianne is struggling with a feeling of entrapment in her own life.
Talking on the telephone
Marianne is communicating with someone over the phone, potentially confiding in them about her current state of mind.
Talking about you and me
The conversation on the phone may be about her relationship and how it pertains to her struggle.
If jesus christ could take me here
Marianne is yearning for divine intervention to help her through her struggles.
I'd fall dawn on my knees
If Jesus Christ could appear to her, Marianne would immediately fall to her knees in worship and gratitude.
Have no questions to his answers
In the presence of Jesus, Marianne feels like all of her questions and concerns would be put to rest.
And if I die gaining my senses
Marianne is willing to risk losing her grip on reality to experience something new and freeing.
Wake up in a hotel
Marianne reflects on the possibility of regaining her consciousness in an unfamiliar place.
Staring at the ceiling
If this were to happen, Marianne imagines she would be dazed and confused, staring up at the ceiling in a hotel room.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BARRY REYNOLDS (GB)
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind