Spanish Is A Loving Tongue
Marianne Faithfull · Decca Years 1965-1967 [2007]
Soft as music, light as spray
'twas a boy I learnt it from
Living down sonora way.
He didn't look much like a lover
Yet I say his love words over
Often when I'm all alone,
Mi amor, mi corazon.
Moonlight on the patio,
Old señora nodding near.
Me and juan were talking low
So the madre couldn't hear.
How those hours would go a-flying
And too soon I'd hear him sighing,
Softly murmuring sweet and low,
"mi amor, mi corazon."
Haven't seen him since that night,
He can't cross the line you know.
Wanted for a gambling fight,
Well, perhaps it's better so.
Yet I sometimes sort of miss him
Since that last sad night I kissed him
Softly murmuring sweet and low,
"adios, mi corazon."
Spanish Is A Loving Tongue - Marianne Faithfull
Recorded during the mid-1960s, Marianne Faithfull's "Spanish Is A Loving Tongue" stands as a poignant example of her early work blending folk sensibilities with romantic yearning. The track, featured on the compilation "Decca Years 1965-1967," captures the atmospheric quality of her debut era, characterized by intimate vocals and a melancholic tone that defined her initial public image. While often associated with the broader British Invasion and folk revival movements of the time, Faithfull's delivery imbues the composition with a distinct personal vulnerability that set her apart from her contemporaries. The song reflects the era's fascination with exoticism and emotional vulnerability, serving as a testament to her ability to convey deep feeling through simple arrangements. It remains a significant piece in her discography, illustrating her transition from a pop performer to a respected figure in the folk and singer-songwriter landscape.