Ian Campbell was born June 10, 1933 in Aberdeen, Scotland and his family moved to Birmingham in 1946. He formed the Clarion Skiffle Group in the mid 1950s along with his sister Lorna Campbell who was also the singer. They were later joined by guitarist Dave Phillips and banjo player Gordon McCulloch, and by 1958 were known as the Ian Campbell Four.
By 1960, McCulloch had been replaced by John Dunkerley and the group was also joined by violinist Dave Swarbrick (born April 5, 1941 in London). The group became well-known on the local folk music scene and played regularly around Birmingham, often appearing at The Crown Pub on Station Street. It was there that they played on a live recording that was released as Ceilidh At The Crown in 1962. The following year, the group was signed to Transatlantic Records and released their first album entitled This Is The Ian Campbell Folk Group. At around this time, Dave Phillips left and was replaced by Brian Clark.
The Ian Campbell Group soon established themselves as a highly proficient live act who became well known for their instrumental abilities as well as Ian Campbell's talent as a songwriter. Tours and television appearances followed, and in March of 1965 the group even managed to get a hit single with their rendition of Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin'. The group's major strength however, lay in their live performances where the line-up was often supplemented by top session musicians.
In 1966, Dave Swarbrick left to become a major player in the British folk scene and later joined the well known group Fairport Convention. Bass player Dave Pegg from the Birmingham group The Uglys joined the Ian Campbell Group in 1967 and a few years later would also leave to join Fairport Convention.
Despite many further personnel changes, the Ian Campbell Folk Group continued to tour and release records throughout the 1960s and 1970s although tragically, John Dunkerley died of Hodgkinsons disease in 1977 at only 35 years old. The group disbanded in the late 1970's but their status in folk music circles has continued to increase since then as one of the earliest significant British folk groups.
Marilyn Monroe
The Ian Campbell Folk Group Lyrics
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And you will know me by the name of Marilyn Monroe
For soldiers and for sailors I'll glitter and I'll glow
They'll wish that they could have a girl like Marilyn Monroe"
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
"I'll light a candle in the sky wherever I may be
And all those lonely women, their names I'll never know
I'll glitter in the dark for them" said Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
"Abe Lincoln is my hero" said Marilyn Monroe
And Arthur Miller's more like him than any man I know"
Don't marry Arthur Miller, they say that he's a red
They say he's un-American, "I'll marry him" she said
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
"Good bye to Arthur Miller, alone again I go
God help the man who marries me" said Marilyn Monroe
"It's up and down forever, my mind is like the sea
And one day when I'm done" she said, "will be the death of me"
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
"I hear the hounds behind my back, I know their voices well
But how the hunt will end" she said, "is more than I can tell
I hear the hounds behind me, no matter where I go
Good luck to every hunted thing" said Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
"How long will they remember me?" said Marilyn Monroe
"How long will they remember me when death has laid me low?"
As long as there are people on this old world below
There'll never be another one like Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
The Ian Campbell Folk Group's song "Marilyn Monroe" is a tribute to the iconic Hollywood actress and sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe. The lyrics express the desire of young women to emulate her beauty and charm, and the admiration of men for her glamour and allure. The song is characterized by a sad and reflective tone, as if this idolization of Marilyn Monroe comes at a cost, as if the glitz and glamour of Hollywood hides something darker and more complex.
The first verse of the song speaks of the desire to go to Hollywood and become like Marilyn Monroe. The second verse expresses a sense of sympathy with those who suffer in isolation, like Marilyn Monroe did. The third verse refers to her controversial romantic relationships, especially with Arthur Miller, who was accused of being a communist sympathizer during the McCarthy era. The fourth verse describes her tragic fate and the feeling of being pursued relentlessly, like a hunted animal.
The repeated refrain of "Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe" serves to emphasize the idolization of this beloved figure, but it also has a haunting and mournful quality. The song suggests that although Marilyn Monroe may have achieved fame and fortune beyond her wildest dreams, her life was ultimately a tragedy. Thus, the song can be seen as a commentary on the price of fame, the corrosive nature of celebrity culture, and the dangers of excessive idolization.
Line by Line Meaning
To Hollywood, to Hollywood, to Hollywood I'll go
And you will know me by the name of Marilyn Monroe
For soldiers and for sailors I'll glitter and I'll glow
They'll wish that they could have a girl like Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn wants to go to Hollywood where she'll be recognized as Marilyn Monroe. She wants to become famous and will dazzle soldiers and sailors with her beauty, leading them to wish they had someone like her.
I'll light a candle in the sky wherever I may be
For those who have to walk alone and fear the dark like me
And all those lonely women, their names I'll never know
I'll glitter in the dark for them" said Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn sympathizes with people who are alone and afraid, as she often feels the same way. She'll do what she can to entertain them and bring them joy, even if she never knows their names.
"Abe Lincoln is my hero" said Marilyn Monroe
And Arthur Miller's more like him than any man I know"
Don't marry Arthur Miller, they say that he's a red
They say he's un-American, "I'll marry him" she said
Marilyn admires Abe Lincoln and thinks Arthur Miller embodies his values. People warn her not to marry him because he's a communist and unpatriotic, but Marilyn doesn't care and will marry him anyway.
"Good bye to Arthur Miller, alone again I go
God help the man who marries me" said Marilyn Monroe
"It's up and down forever, my mind is like the sea
And one day when I'm done" she said, "will be the death of me"
Marilyn and Arthur have parted ways and Marilyn is resigned to being alone. She knows that her moods and feelings fluctuate like the waves of the ocean and that her fame will eventually lead to her downfall.
"I hear the hounds behind my back, I know their voices well
But how the hunt will end" she said, "is more than I can tell
I hear the hounds behind me, no matter where I go
Good luck to every hunted thing" said Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn feels pursued by the paparazzi and the media, always on her trail. She doesn't know how it will all end, but wishes the best for anyone who feels like they are being hunted in life.
"How long will they remember me?" said Marilyn Monroe
"How long will they remember me when death has laid me low?"
As long as there are people on this old world below
There'll never be another one like Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn wonders how long she will be remembered after she dies. She believes that as long as people exist, her legacy will live on and no one else will be like her.
Contributed by Luke I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.