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.
Truth Bitter Truth
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where did it fade away to?
Who was it told the truth, the bitter truth,
The truth we didn't want to know?
What is it, do you know?
What is it, can I bear it?
Who did it, do I care?
Why did you let me know?
How could you think I'd stand it?
You knew I'd pay you back.
I did it, and it happened, do you care?
Where did it go to, my youth?
Where did it fade away to?
Who was it told the truth, the bitter truth
The truth we didn't want to know?
Who is he, do you know?
This man of power but a fool.
They said he was so high and pure.
They also said that he was cruel.
They killed him, did you see?
They knew he couldn't take it.
They wanted lies, he said the truth.
They did it, and it happened, who cares?
Where did it go to, my youth?
Where did it slip away to?
Who was it told the truth, the bitter truth
The truth we didn't want to know?
Why did you let me know?
How could you think I'd stand it?
You knew I'd pay you back.
I did it, and it happened, do you care?
What is it, do you know?
Who did it, can I bear it?
Who did it, do I care?
Who is it, when did it happen, and where?
What is it, do you know?
Who did it, can I bear it?
Who did it, do I care?
Who is it, when did it happen, and where?
Where did it go to, my youth?
Where did it slip away to?
Who was it told the truth, the bitter truth
The truth we didn't want to know?
In "Truth Bitter Truth," Marianne Faithfull poses a series of questions about the loss of innocence and the painful reality of truth. The song reflects on the harsh realities of growing up and the bitter truth that comes with it. She asks where her youth went to and who told her the truth that she didn't want to know. The lyrics seem to be directed towards someone who has betrayed her and revealed a painful truth that she cannot accept. The chorus repeats the haunting question of who told the "bitter truth" that "we didn't want to know."
In the second half of the song, Faithfull reflects on a man of power who was both high and pure but also cruel. The man is referred to as "he," and it is unclear who specifically she is referring to. The man was killed, perhaps because he was too honest and spoke the "bitter truth" that those in power didn't want to hear. Faithfull's questions throughout the song reflect a sense of confusion and pain as she tries to make sense of her own loss of innocence as well as the betrayals of those around her.
Line by Line Meaning
Where did it go to, my youth?
Marianne is questioning where her youth went and possibly realizing that she is getting older.
Where did it fade away to?
Marianne is wondering where her youth went and how it disappeared so quickly.
Who was it told the truth, the bitter truth,
Marianne is asking who was the one person to tell the truth, even if it was difficult to hear.
The truth we didn't want to know?
The truth that Marianne is referring to is something that people usually don't want to confront or accept.
What is it, do you know?
Marianne is asking what the truth is, and if the other person knows about it.
What is it, can I bear it?
Marianne is questioning if she is able to handle the truth or not.
Who did it, do I care?
Marianne is asking if she really does care who was responsible for the truth being revealed or not.
Who is it, when did it happen, and where?
Marianne is asking about the specifics of the truth, such as who, when, and where it happened.
Why did you let me know?
Marianne is questioning why the truth was revealed to her, and why she had to find out in the first place.
How could you think I'd stand it?
Marianne is questioning how the other person could think that she would be able to handle the truth being revealed.
You knew I'd pay you back.
Marianne is suggesting that the other person who revealed the truth may have known that she would retaliate in some way.
I did it, and it happened, do you care?
Marianne is questioning if the other person cares about the fact that she was responsible for something that happened.
Who is he, do you know?
Marianne is asking the other person if they know who she is talking about.
This man of power but a fool.
The man being referred to is someone who had a lot of influence and authority, but his actions showed that he was not as clever as everyone thought he was.
They said he was so high and pure.
People held the man in high regard and viewed him as being morally superior and of a higher character.
They also said that he was cruel.
Despite his positive reputation, there were people who believed that he had a cruel side as well.
They killed him, did you see?
The man was killed, possibly as a result of his negative behavior catching up with him.
They knew he couldn't take it.
The people who killed him may have realized that he would not be able to handle the repercussions of his actions.
They wanted lies, he said the truth.
The people around him may have preferred to be lied to and did not appreciate the man speaking the truth.
They did it, and it happened, who cares?
Marianne is suggesting that despite the negative consequences of the man's death, there are people who are indifferent or apathetic to the situation.
Where did it slip away to?
Marianne is once again questioning where her youth went and how time seems to have passed so quickly.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID JONATHAN COURTS, MARIANNE FAITHFULL, BARRY REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@emmamassonge
Where did it go to, my youth?
Where did it fade away to?
Who was it told the truth, the bitter truth,
The truth we didn't want to know?
What is it, do you know?
What is it, can I bear it?
Who did it, do I care?
Who is it, when did it happen, and where?
Why did you let me know?
How could you think I'd stand it?
You knew I'd pay you back.
I did it, and it happened, do you care?
Where did it go to, my youth?
Where did it fade away to?
Who was it told the truth, the bitter truth
The truth we didn't want to know?
Who is he, do you know?
This man of power but a fool.
They said he was so high and pure.
They also said that he was cruel.
They killed him, did you see?
They knew he couldn't take it.
They wanted lies, he said the truth.
They did it, and it happened, who cares?
Where did it go to, my youth?
Where did it slip away to?
Who was it told the truth, the bitter truth.
Thanks to the baroness
and long life.
@pascalreno8264
Plus de 40 ans et toujours autant de plaisir à écouter Marianne est imtemporelle sa voix unique,singulière androgine font que l'on ne puissent l'aimer ...fait nos plaisir encore et encore Marianne tu es une vraie star...Programme une visite au Vieilles Charrues ou ailleurs en France que je vienne te voir avant de mourrir ;)))
@helenetea
This song takes me back to the 80s💖💖💖💖💖i love it
@larryfreeman957
❤Wow, she sure has a unique voice....love this song....🙏
@Joanne-im8km
I love this song so much 💖
@GeirAndreTonning
Music isn't music if she didn't exist, just loves this girl. Here text's are strong, they mean what ordinary people do in life,in service for a country. and it is a just god dam good music. One and only Marianne Faithful. When you're time comes, you will sing front of God and he will listen and he will take you in his arms and say you did good Marianne, you did good
@odaxbi
I played this on repeat, back in 1981 on the day when I was told I had testicular cancer ... it was a l-o-n-g day. Now I have just turned 60, and I look back with melancholy, so much of my life has passed and so many of my friends have passed. Bitter sweet memories, but still I smile and am grateful. There is nothing like being told at 22 that you had less than a 20% chance of seeing 25. My whole life has been on borrowed time, it gives you a fresh outlook on every single day that passes, be it good or bad.
@richardpamak715
Joining your survivor club........8 years for me
@Mark-zu6oz
I hear you. I was in the same boat at 20. I will be 55 this summer. Never thought I'd make it this far. It wasn't easy but I am glad I fought the battle now.
@douglasraddi4872
I'm 53 in a couple of days. I too seen a lot, done a lot and lost a few close friends. Thank God I'm still here. Stay young and live free
@nygelmiller5293
Health research tip: whenever anyone has any EMOTIONAL health upset (bereavement, being jilted, financially scammed, or in this sudden worries about health - FIRSTLY of course, that's important to be cool, calm, and collected in the face of a situation! But, when, secondly, we don't seem to be able entirely to do that - we need HELP! The answer is actually very simple - and very precious - because I only discovered it by chance! Stress burns nutrition, and is burning up what we need to fight EMOTIONAL traumas. ALWAYS keep ginger ale or ginger beer at home. This replenishes our system! Ginger, renowned thought the Orient and Asia for centuries as a remedy for MANY things! It's all there in nature! One can of ginger ale or ginger beer, and it will have us back on our feet, to fight a difficult situation! Actually, I would say you are a rather good survivor, to have kept things together! God Bless