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.
What Have I Done Wrong
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
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It seems I've hurt you once again,
I try so hard but all in vain.
Tears in your eyes you can't disguise,
But please forgive me if you can.
What have I done wrong ?
I hate to make you suffer so,
I'm not a child and I should knowWhere laughing ends and tears begin
And I must seem so cruel to you.
Come, let me kiss your tender lips
And you will see our love can be.
What have I done wrong ?
You turn away when I am here
And yet I know you need not fear.
If I had time to ease your mind
I'd let you know how much I care.
What have I done wrong ?
In Marianne Faithfull's song "What Have I Done Wrong?", she is singing about hurting someone she loves and trying to ask for forgiveness. She is expressing her regret for being cruel to this person and causing them pain. She acknowledges that even though she tries so hard, she still ends up hurting them. Faithfull reassures this person that their love can still exist and that they shouldn't be scared of her. She wishes she had the time to make things right and show them how much she truly cares.
The lyrics in this song are a portrayal of the difficulties that come with loving someone and making mistakes that hurt them. The singer is struggling to navigate the boundaries of a loving relationship and distinguish between when to laugh and when to cry. She is admitting fault and asking for forgiveness, showing a vulnerability that is often difficult to express in relationships. The song is relatable and encapsulates the feelings that can arise after hurting someone you love.
Line by Line Meaning
What have I done wrong ?
Marianne Faithfull expresses remorse for doing something wrong and hurting her partner.
It seems I've hurt you once again,
She believes that she has caused pain to her partner before and repeats the same mistake.
I try so hard but all in vain.
Despite her efforts, she is still unable to prevent herself from hurting her partner.
Tears in your eyes you can't disguise,
Her partner is visibly upset and cannot hide the tears in their eyes.
But please forgive me if you can.
Marianne Faithfull apologizes and asks for forgiveness.
I hate to make you suffer so,
She expresses remorse for causing her partner to suffer.
I'm not a child and I should know
She acknowledges that she is mature enough to understand the impact of her actions.
Where laughing ends and tears begin
She is aware that situations can quickly turn from happy and joyful to sad and emotional.
And I must seem so cruel to you.
Marianne Faithfull recognizes that her actions may come across as cruel to her partner.
Come, let me kiss your tender lips
She tries to comfort her partner with a kiss and shows her affection.
And you will see our love can be.
She hopes that her show of affection will remind her partner of their love for each other.
You turn away when I am here
Her partner avoids looking at her when she is around.
And yet I know you need not fear.
She reassures her partner that there is nothing to fear from her and that she cares for them.
If I had time to ease your mind
She wishes she had more time to comfort and reassure her partner.
I'd let you know how much I care.
She wants her partner to know just how much she cares for them.
What have I done wrong ?
Marianne Faithfull repeats her opening line, showcasing her regret over her actions.
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