Marianne Faithfull — The Ballad of Lucy Jordan
Album: Broken EnglishAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2570
Length: 4:00
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The morning sun touched lightly on
The eyes of Lucy Jordan
In a white suburban bedroom
In a white suburban town
And she lay there 'neath the covers
Dreaming of a thousand lovers
'Til the world turned to orange
And the room went spinning round
At the age of 37
She realized she'd never ride
Through Paris in a sports car
With the warm wind in her hair
So she let the phone keep ringing
As she sat there softly singing
Pretty nursery rhymes she'd memorized
In her Daddy's easy chair
Her husband he's off to work
And the kids are off to school
And there were oh so many ways
For her to spend her days
She could clean the house for hours
Or rearrange the flowers
Or run naked through the shady street
Screaming all the way
At the age of 37
She realized she'd never ride
Through Paris in a sports car
With the warm wind in her hair
So she let the phone keep ringing
As she sat there softly singing
Pretty nursery rhymes she'd memorized
In her Daddy's easy chair
The evening sun touched gently on
The eyes of Lucy Jordan
On the rooftop where she climbed
When all the laughter grew too loud
And she bowed and curtsied to the man
Who reached and offered her his hand
And he led her down to the long white car that waited past the crowd
At the age of 37
She knew she'd found forever
As she rode along through Paris
With the warm wind in her hair
The eyes of Lucy Jordan
In a white suburban bedroom
In a white suburban town
And she lay there 'neath the covers
Dreaming of a thousand lovers
'Til the world turned to orange
And the room went spinning round
At the age of 37
She realized she'd never ride
Through Paris in a sports car
With the warm wind in her hair
So she let the phone keep ringing
As she sat there softly singing
Pretty nursery rhymes she'd memorized
In her Daddy's easy chair
Her husband he's off to work
And the kids are off to school
And there were oh so many ways
For her to spend her days
She could clean the house for hours
Or rearrange the flowers
Or run naked through the shady street
Screaming all the way
At the age of 37
She realized she'd never ride
Through Paris in a sports car
With the warm wind in her hair
So she let the phone keep ringing
As she sat there softly singing
Pretty nursery rhymes she'd memorized
In her Daddy's easy chair
The evening sun touched gently on
The eyes of Lucy Jordan
On the rooftop where she climbed
When all the laughter grew too loud
And she bowed and curtsied to the man
Who reached and offered her his hand
And he led her down to the long white car that waited past the crowd
At the age of 37
She knew she'd found forever
As she rode along through Paris
With the warm wind in her hair
Comments (177)add comment
dgeagon wrote:
Exactly what I was going to say!
Wow! I have not heard MF in a long time. I must say, I appreciate her more now.
Exactly what I was going to say!
My favourite Glastonbury was what I think of as the year of the lady singers: in no particular order, Marianne Faithful, Debbie Harry and Patti Smith. All were magnificent in their own ways. I should add that I've never seen a set list like Blondie's, comprising only top ten (many number one) hits.
Now I have to go listen to the rest of the Thelma & Louise soundtrack again...
Wow! I have not heard MF in a long time. I must say, I appreciate her more now.
WalterHawn wrote:
I've felt like this for a while. This track is a tease. Just waiting the beat to drop, but it never comes. A house remix would make this track really slap.
Would be much better with a real rhythm section. Click tracks kill music
I've felt like this for a while. This track is a tease. Just waiting the beat to drop, but it never comes. A house remix would make this track really slap.
Anyone hear a bit of ‘Streets of Baltimore’?
I think this is her opus. The fragility in her voice is perfectly matched to the story and the unsettling anticipation of the rhythm track.
WalterHawn wrote:
A pedant writes - it's unlikely to be a click track. More likely a Linn or a Roland Drum machine.
Would be much better with a real rhythm section. Click tracks kill music
A pedant writes - it's unlikely to be a click track. More likely a Linn or a Roland Drum machine.
Would be much better with a real rhythm section. Click tracks kill music
William wrote:
OK. I'll say it. I'm with those who see no value whatsoever in posts like this.
If you think it'll influence my choices, you're wrong. I pay attention to the 72.5% of 1801 raters (as of this post) who give it a 6 or better. And I pay attention to how it sounds to my ears, and fits with the current flow and mood.
That's it.
@William I get it. I respect your opinion and of course it is your station so you should play what you want, but this particular song instantly strikes me the wrong way. It's not even an intellectual reaction, more of a physical one.
That said, I've been an RP listener for a long time and a longtime supporter as well. I think we're both entitled to our opinions.
Peace.
OK. I'll say it. I'm with those who see no value whatsoever in posts like this.
If you think it'll influence my choices, you're wrong. I pay attention to the 72.5% of 1801 raters (as of this post) who give it a 6 or better. And I pay attention to how it sounds to my ears, and fits with the current flow and mood.
That's it.
@William I get it. I respect your opinion and of course it is your station so you should play what you want, but this particular song instantly strikes me the wrong way. It's not even an intellectual reaction, more of a physical one.
That said, I've been an RP listener for a long time and a longtime supporter as well. I think we're both entitled to our opinions.
Peace.
U2's The Wanderer, influence revealed!
thundrpants wrote:
Every time I hear the intro I think it's going to be that song by Pat Benatar!!!!!!
Here's a link for those that have to hear that one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1VMuTpnzF4
Looks like it was Charlie Giordiano that did Pat Benatar's keyboards.
I like the Marianne Faithfull intro by Steve Winwood more though, it just sounds better.
timmus wrote:
According to my interpretation of this song, the protagonist's phyiscal being didn't make it past 37. But the rest of your comment is dead on for me.
Sad to think the protagonist of the song is now 80 years old. Makes 37 seem like the early adult years... and it kind of is.
According to my interpretation of this song, the protagonist's phyiscal being didn't make it past 37. But the rest of your comment is dead on for me.
Every time I hear the intro I think it's going to be that song by Pat Benatar!!!!!!
I give her high marks for persistence. Loved her from day uno!
Sad to think the protagonist of the song is now 80 years old. Makes 37 seem like the early adult years... and it kind of is.
This song (and the rest of this album) take me to a very happy time in my life. Every time I hear it on RP I instantly know why I keep telling people about this fantastic station!
Woah - the synths are Steve Winwood? Didn't know.
ba2kell wrote:
the Wikipedia page about the song gives a different interpretation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Well I guess I like that better, but I'd sure like to know what Shel would have said.
Thanks for the link.
the Wikipedia page about the song gives a different interpretation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Well I guess I like that better, but I'd sure like to know what Shel would have said.
Thanks for the link.
tonyinnj wrote: “Paris is definitely NOT the best place to ride in a sports car...”
I guess you’ve never watched C’était Un Rendez-vous . . .
Cheers, pxd
I guess you’ve never watched C’était Un Rendez-vous . . .
Cheers, pxd
It’s A Beautiful Day, Ten Fé, and Marianne Faithful in quick succession. 2 10s and a 9 in the middle, by my count - you’re spoiling us, Bill! Thanks for all the great music. Cheers from London, pxd
ice-9 wrote:
the Wikipedia page about the song gives a different interpretation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
So I'm not wrong - she kills herself, right? She jumps?
the Wikipedia page about the song gives a different interpretation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
vandal wrote:
OK. I'll say it. I'm with those who see no value whatsoever in posts like this.
If you think it'll influence my choices, you're wrong. I pay attention to the 72.5% of 1801 raters (as of this post) who give it a 6 or better. And I pay attention to how it sounds to my ears, and fits with the current flow and mood.
That's it.
Instant PSD
OK. I'll say it. I'm with those who see no value whatsoever in posts like this.
If you think it'll influence my choices, you're wrong. I pay attention to the 72.5% of 1801 raters (as of this post) who give it a 6 or better. And I pay attention to how it sounds to my ears, and fits with the current flow and mood.
That's it.
(song starts)
AW YES, BILL IS PLAYING SOME PAT BENATAR.... oh.... well this is good too.
Hey Bill and Rebecca, please play the original also.
Thanks.
Love you guys! Best radio station ever!
Thanks.
Love you guys! Best radio station ever!
Apologies, but this is an instant PSD.
And the silicon chip
Inside her head,
Gets switched to 'overload'
And nobody's going to go to school today
She's going to make them stay at home.
Similar vibe to this, though a bit less extreme.
Inside her head,
Gets switched to 'overload'
And nobody's going to go to school today
She's going to make them stay at home.
Similar vibe to this, though a bit less extreme.
Play "Why'd You Do It."
SpinyNorma wrote:
There's gotta be a ballad in that story somewhere.
She'd realised that she'd never drive through Normandy
in a sportscar
with a cold wind freezing her ears
and a bag of nails in the boot.
Always reminds me of my bestie, driving through Normandy in her Miata one November a few years ago: roof down and woolly hats keeping our ears warm. Close, and yet so far - especially when you consider that we were returning from a visit to a hardware shop to buy some nails...
There's gotta be a ballad in that story somewhere.
She'd realised that she'd never drive through Normandy
in a sportscar
with a cold wind freezing her ears
and a bag of nails in the boot.
So I'm not wrong - she kills herself, right? She jumps?
Sofa_King wrote:
Sofa_King...hot.
Sofa_King...hot.
Always reminds me of my bestie, driving through Normandy in her Miata one November a few years ago: roof down and woolly hats keeping our ears warm. Close, and yet so far - especially when you consider that we were returning from a visit to a hardware shop to buy some nails...
tinypriest wrote:
Kraftwerk should be proud.
mach-hog wrote:
No, Steve Wineood should be 🙏
He should be!
He did a brilliant channeling of Kraftwerk's synth style for most of his late 70s and 80s career.
Listen to something like "Autobahn" -- the first 2-3 minutes is enough -- or "The Model", from The Man-Machine; or "Europe Endless", or "Franz Schubert", from Trans-Europe Express, and it becomes pretty clear.
Not saying it's wrong, far from it. It's hauntingly perfect on Broken English.
coloradojohn wrote:
Linda Ronstsdat has the talent to heal... brother you just had a roller-coaster moment
I was never really much of a MF fan, but this song took on special meaning for me and a dear bunch of Melbourne mates one wild weekend in November of 2000, down at Wye River past Lorne on the way to Apollo Bay, where Suzanne and Richard hosted my friends Geoff and Vicky and I at their amazing house on the hill, and we had feasted and drunk bottles and bottles of Shiraz, CabSav, and Pinot, and Suzanne played this, and — it was like The Big Chill came over us — and we all felt it too keenly, especially me, with my marriage back in the States having burned up on re-entry! and thankfully before I or anyone else could cry, she got up and put on some old Linda Rhondstat, which happened to be nearby, and the relief was all the more apparent as we all sang and danced our way down to put our toes in the icy water in the moonlight...
Without pain there is no joy; without undergoing some of life's heavy blues, there is no knowledge or appreciation of true merriment!
Linda Ronstsdat has the talent to heal... brother you just had a roller-coaster moment
No, Steve Wineood should be 🙏
tinypriest wrote:
Kraftwerk should be proud.
10!
10
10
10
10
Kraftwerk should be proud.
10!
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
What pfreet said
skuzzfud wrote:
I was thinking the exact same thing....
Steve Winwood played the synths.
I was thinking the exact same thing....
Steve Winwood played the synths.
laozilover wrote:
Bumping 8 to 9 for the same reason :-)
Bumped my 7 to an 8, just to cheese off the haters... 
Bumping 8 to 9 for the same reason :-)
So cool to know that this was written by Shel Silverstein - Thanks for sharing the info BillG!
Relayer wrote:
a boy name sue did ;)
Wow, these lyrics are amazing. Who know Shel Siverstein could write songs?! Impressed.
a boy name sue did ;)
When this song comes on:
Bumped my 7 to an 8, just to cheese off the haters...
Love this song. Plus, that's Steve Winwood on the synths.
For those that still play records and are critical about sound look look into the Police Box set Great Sounding Reissues of one of the post punk eras biggest sellers. I prefer their earlier releases but this undeniably one of the better produced and consumer friendly records
Gut wrenching song. Gonna go home and hug my wife. Maybe plan a trip to Paris.
Relayer wrote:
Totally agree... this song stops me in my tracks every time.
Wow, these lyrics are amazing. Who know Shel Siverstein could write songs?! Impressed.
Totally agree... this song stops me in my tracks every time.
Wow, these lyrics are amazing. Who know Shel Siverstein could write songs?! Impressed.
Alastair wrote:
... as is consistent with the content.
Montenegro
Starts well. Goes downhill very quickly.
... as is consistent with the content.
Montenegro
Saw her in a three-woman show with Mary Wells and Merry Clayton at the Rainbow room in NY many years ago. Really great performances by all the girls - I will never forget it 
rating it a 9, more so for the great songwriting by Shel, and just a little bit of credit to MF's execution.
My experience hearing Marianne Faithful up until Radio Paradise was the horribly overplayed Broken English single. That one's still a skip for sure, but this song is amazing. I'm a sucker for the atmospheric backing track such as this one, and the lyric reminds me of Elton John's Ticking from the Caribou album. Everything's fine, it's a lovely day, and now .. I'm dead.
Wicked.
Wicked.
thewiseking wrote:
Marianne Faithfull, oy. I guess it paid to sleep with Rock Stars.
Funny , I used to think she was just another junkie star-xxxxer but she does have other talents. Her vocals chords may have been abused but her music is more interesting for it. Marianne Faithfull, oy. I guess it paid to sleep with Rock Stars.
alanb wrote:
Paris is overrated. The traffic is too heavy; it's not the best place to ride in a sports car. I would have told Lucy to rent a sports car and go find some back road to drive along. Better than running naked down the street screaming or jumping off the roof of her house.`
Paris is definitely NOT the best place to ride in a sports car...Especially if you're
Isadora Duncan...;-(
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
Paris is definitely NOT the best place to ride in a sports car...Especially if you're
Isadora Duncan...;-(
Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
I give it an 8 for Shel Silverstein.
kazoo wrote:
I was thinking the exact same thing....
Is that Brian Eno doing the accompaniment?
I was thinking the exact same thing....
great song
I like this version, but I much prefer the original.
Terrific, world weary voice. Such a contrast with 'As Tears Go By'
I feel like this song would have been really awesome with drums that kicked in during the middle of the second verse.
Shel was a genious writer. Love how she owns this cover. The Dr Hook version is amazing.
Makes me think of listening to CBC Stereo (Canada)'s show "Nightlines" in the mid- to late-80s. Some of the best radio ever. Ralph Benmergui and David Wisdom - excellent radio hosts.
From Thelma & Louise, towards the finale!
Starts well. Goes downhill very quickly.
Showing only 2 plays in last 30 days. I just heard this on RP last week. Seems like there randomization is a little skewed
LinThizzy wrote:
me too, but with video game music bed
sounds like desolation row to me.
me too, but with video game music bed
Is that Brian Eno doing the accompaniment?
At least she's better than Nico!
People bitch about her voice, but I like this record. What amazes me most is that she's still alive to tell the tale.
Shell was remarkable. There are a couple of albums out there compiling songs that he’s written and it’s just amazing.
"There was green alligators and long-necked geese, "
"There was green alligators and long-necked geese, "
10,000 cigarettes have had some effect, methinks.
Someone should take her the doctors to get that throat infection sorted before it stops her singing.
Wow, my teeth hurt after that one!
tfioreze wrote:
Sing a few verses, poseur
Could this song have been sung any worse?
Sing a few verses, poseur
alanb wrote:
Looks like you didn't understand the question
.... FYI it's not about you and your dumb tourist advice
Dumb as a sack of rocks!
Paris is overrated. The traffic is too heavy; it's not the best place to ride in a sports car. I would have told Lucy to rent a sports car and go find some back road to drive along. Better than running naked down the street screaming or jumping off the roof of her house.
Looks like you didn't understand the question
.... FYI it's not about you and your dumb tourist advice
Dumb as a sack of rocks!
Ms. Faithfull's voice is, uh, an acquired taste. At best. But there's something about it I really like.
A tragic story, well-told by Mr. Silverstein.
Not everyone's cuppa, but an 8 for me.
c.
A tragic story, well-told by Mr. Silverstein.
Not everyone's cuppa, but an 8 for me.
c.
tfioreze wrote:
Well at least it has an annoying musical track to match.... 🤮
Could this song have been sung any worse?
Well at least it has an annoying musical track to match.... 🤮
This song reminds me of how jittery I feel after drinking a triple espresso.
Was just watching Thelma and Louise and wondered who sings this song. Thanks, RP!
Could this song have been sung any worse?
LinThizzy wrote:
D - G - A (I - IV - V) "folk" chord progression; it's been used in thousands of songs. This is an old Shel Silverstein song, not as old as "Desolation Row" though.
sounds like desolation row to me.
D - G - A (I - IV - V) "folk" chord progression; it's been used in thousands of songs. This is an old Shel Silverstein song, not as old as "Desolation Row" though.
LinThizzy wrote:
Same.
sounds like desolation row to me.
Same.
Augustus wrote:
Thought so too. I like it
sounds like desolation row to me.
Thought so too. I like it
nickmetalx3317 wrote:
Get a bucket.
You could also try stomping your feet, crying, and sticking out your lower lip.
Please, please, PLEASE. Stop playing this lady, her voice makes me vomit.
Get a bucket.
You could also try stomping your feet, crying, and sticking out your lower lip.
Please, please, PLEASE. Stop playing this lady, her voice makes me vomit.
blades wrote:
OMG had to stop and PSD as desperately as possible
OMG had to stop and remember
OMG had to stop and PSD as desperately as possible
OMG had to stop and remember
sounds like desolation row to me.
NCEyeballKid wrote:
Great Artist
There is more to singing than just sweet sounds. This whole album exudes energy and passion. Love to hear this song. Title track is also fantastic.
Great Artist
love the voiceParis is overrated. The traffic is too heavy; it's not the best place to ride in a sports car. I would have told Lucy to rent a sports car and go find some back road to drive along. Better than running naked down the street screaming or jumping off the roof of her house.
On_The_Beach wrote:
I'm with you, spacemoose!
This is a station for people that theoretically like "eclectic" music, but as soon as the music gets the least bit challenging, people immediately write such insightful comments as "This sucks!".
Kinda sad, IMO.
"This sucks!"
I'm with you, spacemoose!
This is a station for people that theoretically like "eclectic" music, but as soon as the music gets the least bit challenging, people immediately write such insightful comments as "This sucks!".
Kinda sad, IMO.
"This sucks!"
Really an earth-shaking album. Still have a Marianne Faithfull button on my Canadian Tuxedo.
On_The_Beach wrote:
I'm with you, spacemoose!
This is a station for people that theoretically like "eclectic" music, but as soon as the music gets the least bit challenging, people immediately write such insightful comments as "This sucks!".
Kinda sad, IMO.
Yup. But then on the other hand, despite the large numbers who chant "This sucks!" or "Kill it!", the DJ persists with the assortment.
If I already knew and liked all the songs I hear on RP, I would have probably stopped listening a long time ago.
Not particularly enamoured with this number but it does sound a little better on subsequent listens. Who the singer is IS interesting.
I'm with you, spacemoose!
This is a station for people that theoretically like "eclectic" music, but as soon as the music gets the least bit challenging, people immediately write such insightful comments as "This sucks!".
Kinda sad, IMO.
Yup. But then on the other hand, despite the large numbers who chant "This sucks!" or "Kill it!", the DJ persists with the assortment.
If I already knew and liked all the songs I hear on RP, I would have probably stopped listening a long time ago.
Not particularly enamoured with this number but it does sound a little better on subsequent listens. Who the singer is IS interesting.
Dr Hook originally recorded this Ballad back in 1975: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFGQyYfhLsc
Wow! This is a flashback of 37+ years I didn't even know was possible.
BBoyes wrote:
Yes
The lyrics! And the voice - matching the lyrics
Outstanding
This is a strange recording: odd accompaniment (almost schmaltzy, sounds computer-generated), yet the lyrics and the smoky/whiskey voice make me stop and listen. Interesting... And look at the ratings: almost an inversion of the normal distribution curve! Lots of 1s and 10s and little in the middle.
Yes
The lyrics! And the voice - matching the lyrics
Outstanding
This is a strange recording: odd accompaniment (almost schmaltzy, sounds computer-generated), yet the lyrics and the smoky/whiskey voice make me stop and listen. Interesting... And look at the ratings: almost an inversion of the normal distribution curve! Lots of 1s and 10s and little in the middle.
Aweful! Bloody Aweful. This is why no one listens to radio anymore.
great voice, great song. pxd
I've had days like Lucy. I'm just grateful for my friends and family that helped me get through those days and not take Lucy's option.
I'm feeling a bit like Lucy at the moment...
jim1964 wrote:
I thought using this song in the movie was great, it really fit.
I'm completely with you on this.
I seriously think that Montenegro might be the best movie ever made (if such a thing can be measured.) And I can't think of either the movie or this song without thinking of the other.
Always makes me stop dead and listen when it comes up on RP.
I thought using this song in the movie was great, it really fit.
I'm completely with you on this.
I seriously think that Montenegro might be the best movie ever made (if such a thing can be measured.) And I can't think of either the movie or this song without thinking of the other.
Always makes me stop dead and listen when it comes up on RP.
ziggytrix wrote:
Or Eno-produced Talking Heads. I have no idea if Eno produced this track. If not, the producer was clearly a big fan of his.
I just checked into the comments to see if anyone knew if Brian Eno Or John Cale had something to do with this. Certainly sounds like it.
Or Eno-produced Talking Heads. I have no idea if Eno produced this track. If not, the producer was clearly a big fan of his.
I just checked into the comments to see if anyone knew if Brian Eno Or John Cale had something to do with this. Certainly sounds like it.
Written by the great Shel Silverstein
Saw her in a coffee bar in South east Shagdom, before Mick became a household word. She was just another pretty waif, but this was before " As tears go by" and she gained stardom. And well before a thousand packs of smokes.
Awesome song. Marianne Faithfull is awesome. I need to get more of her material. Very unique voice. Very expressive.
Play more of her material.
Graham
Somewhere in the sandbox called Kuwait.
Play more of her material.
Graham
Somewhere in the sandbox called Kuwait.
Millions of kids around the world who want to sing will be told "Don't - you do not have a good voice"!
I say SING! It cannot be worse than this!
If she would have gone as total nobody to a record company they would have asked her "seriously?" and told her to bugger off and would not have given her the time of day.
But then she could say "I shagged Mick Jagger in the last century" !
And all of a sudden its "oh its Marianne Faithful"!
Cant sing, can't nothing, but was Mick's squeeze at one time, so its alright, give her a record deal!
Reminds me of that Paul Weller song, what was it? Shagged to the top? Oh, sorry, no that was "shout to top" was it not?
Oh dear, my mistake!
YUCK!
juul wrote:
I thought using this song in the movie was great, it really fit.
Watch the movie Montenegro and this will have more meaning ;-)
I thought using this song in the movie was great, it really fit.
Just made my 9 a 10, since the lady really stands the test of time, that would include her very special voice. Listen to the lyrics and you should get some wisdom from them.
jhorton wrote:
It might be time to let it go, dude.
Honestly, if she hadn't slept with Mick Jagger, would she have ever gotten a recording contract?
WOULD SHE?
WOULD SHE?
It might be time to let it go, dude.
Honestly, if she hadn't slept with Mick Jagger, would she have ever gotten a recording contract?
WOULD SHE?
WOULD SHE?
Not sure why all the negatives for Ms. Faithfull. She has produced CD after CD of interesting music with a weathered voice perfectly suited for her dark material. She does not get her due. Saw her live once and was mesmerized by her style and don't-give-a-crap attitude. Too many can't get beyond her unique voice.
Glorious
Watch the movie Montenegro and this will have more meaning ;-)
There is more to singing than just sweet sounds. This whole album exudes energy and passion. Love to hear this song. Title track is also fantastic.
Wow, these lyrics are amazing. Who know Shel Siverstein could write songs?! Impressed.
See Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show- pretty much all of them are written by Shel.