The trio of Scott Walker (Noel Scott Engel), Gary Walker (Gary Leeds, formerly of The Standells), and John Walker (John Maus, November 12, 1943 - May 7, 2011) moved from the U.S. to Britain in 1965. Like The Ramones, they were not related, and adopted the same last name as a show business touch. They had only minor success in the U.S., but topped the UK singles charts with Make It Easy On Yourself in 1965 and The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) in 1966.
After a UK tour in late 1967, which also featured Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, and Engelbert Humperdinck, followed by a tour of Japan in 1968, the group officially disbanded. After the group disbanded, all three members scored U.S. and UK chart hits, under their Walker names.
Reforming in 1974, The Walker Brothers recorded a version of Tom Rush's No Regrets which soared into the British Top Ten after an absence of over a decade. However, the three albums that followed sold poorly: No Regrets (1975), Lines (1976), and Nite Flights (1978). Scott Walker's tracks on the final album, Nite Flights, laid the stylistic groundwork for his later solo career.
John Walker died at his Los Angeles home on May 7, 2011
Marie
The Walker Brothers Lyrics
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With your hair piled up high
I will never forget
I'm drunk right now baby
But I've got to be
Or I never could tell you
What you meant to me
And I always will love you Marie
I loved you the first time I saw you
And I always will love you Marie
You're the song
That the trees sing when the wind blows
You're a flower, you're a river, you're a rainbow
Sometimes I'm crazy
But I guess you know
And I'm weak and I'm lazy
And I've hurt you so
And I don't listen to a word you say
When you're in trouble I just turn away
I love you, I loved you, the first time I saw you
And I always will love you Marie
I loved you the first time I saw you
And I always will love you Marie
The Walker Brothers's song "Marie" is a powerful love ballad that conveys deep emotions and vulnerability. The first verse paints an elegant picture of the woman he loves, comparing her to a princess with hair piled up high. He admits to being drunk as a way of building the courage to express his feelings for her, something he might not dare to do if he were sober. Despite being intoxicated, he emphasizes that he wants to communicate the depth of his emotions and how important she is to him. The chorus repeats his pledge to love her forever, highlighting the fact that he fell in love with her the first time he saw her, and that love is still potent.
The second verse compares her to different elements of nature, including a song that trees sing when the wind blows, a flower, a river and a rainbow. With honesty and vulnerability, he admits to being crazy and how he has hurt her by being weak and lazy in the past. He confesses that he hasn't always been there for her when she needed him, admitting to selfishness and lack of empathy. However, he reassures her that his feelings remain unchanged, and he still loves her with the same intensity he harboured when he first met her.
Overall, "Marie" is a heartfelt expression of love. The lyrics paint a vivid and poetic image of the woman he loves and how much she means to him. It is a love song that many people can relate to, as it touches on themes of vulnerability, regret, and the desire to make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
You looked like a princess the night we met
Your beauty was unmatched when we first saw each other.
With your hair piled up high
The way you styled your hair added to your regal appearance.
I will never forget
That moment is etched in my memory forever.
I'm drunk right now baby
My confession of love may be influenced by my inebriation.
But I've got to be
Otherwise, I wouldn't have the courage to express my feelings.
Or I never could tell you
In sobriety, I am too reserved to reveal my emotions.
What you meant to me
You have a deep significance in my life.
You're the song
You embody the rhythm of nature.
That the trees sing when the wind blows
You evoke the gentle whisper of tree branches rustling in the wind.
You're a flower, you're a river, you're a rainbow
You represent the colorful and vibrant aspects of life.
Sometimes I'm crazy
Occasionally, my actions may seem erratic and nonsensical.
But I guess you know
I trust that you understand and still love me in spite of my flaws.
And I'm weak and I'm lazy
I admit that I have shortcomings and am not always the best partner.
And I've hurt you so
However, my actions have caused you pain and I deeply regret that.
And I don't listen to a word you say
I realize that I am stubborn and at times do not heed your advice.
When you're in trouble I just turn away
I acknowledge that I have failed to be there for you in times of need.
I love you, I loved you, the first time I saw you
From the moment we met, my love for you has remained unwavering.
And I always will love you Marie
My affection for you will never fade.
I loved you the first time I saw you
I was immediately smitten with you.
And I always will love you Marie
My love for you is eternal.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Beautiful