Chords Of Fame
Marianne Faithfull · True [2000]
You think will last
But whatever you wish to keep
You'd better grab it fast
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun
Crying like a fire in the sun
Look out the saints are coming through
And it's all over now, baby blue
The highway is for gamblers
Better use your sense
Take what you have gathered
From coincidence
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets
This sky, too, is folding under you
And it's all over now, baby blue
All your seasick sailors
They are rowing home
Your empty-handed armies
Are all going home
The lover who just walked out your door
Has taken all his blankets from the floor
The carpet, too, is moving under you
And it's all over now, baby blue
Leave your stepping stones behind you
Something calls for you
Forget the dead you've left
They will not follow you
The vagabond who's rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore
Strike another match, go start a-new
And it's all over now, baby blue
Chords Of Fame - Marianne Faithfull
Recorded on Marianne Faithfull's 2000 compilation album True, Chords Of Fame stands as a poignant reflection on the complexities of fame and personal identity. The track captures the artist's signature melancholic tone, exploring the duality of public adoration and private isolation that often defines the experience of being in the spotlight. Faithfull's vocal delivery remains consistent with her career-long exploration of vulnerability and emotional depth, characteristic of her work spanning from her early days with The Kinks to her solo recordings. This recording serves as a testament to her ability to distill profound human experiences into concise musical statements, resonating with listeners who appreciate introspective pop and folk-rock. The song's enduring appeal lies in its honest portrayal of the emotional cost of celebrity, a theme that continues to resonate within the broader canon of her discography.