The Way You Want Me To Be
Marianne Faithfull · No Regrets [2008]
Floating along on a breeze,
But when you come home
And I get you alone
I wish that I could put you at ease.
I wish I could sing you a love song,
Sing about the silvery moon,
But the things that you say
When I think it's OK
Always seem to sing out of tune.
Oh, I'm not the way
That you want me to be,
No, it's not like me,
No, it's not like me.
You say I should dress like a Lady,
Read all the best magazines,
But the people in there
And the clothes that they wear,
Take it from the girl of your dreams.
You wish I could be a show-piece
Something to show all your friends
Is it true what they say,
That I get in your way ?
Is this about the place that it ends ?
I'm not the way
That you want me to be,
No, it's not like me,
No, it's not like me.
I wish I could dance like Fontaine,
Floating along on the breeze
And when you come home
And I get you alone
I wish that I could put you at ease.
The Way You Want Me To Be
Recorded in 1964, Marianne Faithfull's 'The Way You Want Me To Be' stands as a defining track of the British Invasion era. Released on her debut album, the song showcases her distinctive vocal style, blending soulful inflections with a melodic structure that captured the attention of audiences worldwide. As one of her earliest major releases, it reflects the transitional period in her career where she moved from pop sensibilities toward more complex, emotionally resonant compositions. The recording exemplifies the era's fusion of R&B influences with British pop, establishing Faithfull as a significant voice in mid-1960s music. Its enduring appeal lies in its raw emotional honesty and Faithfull's ability to convey vulnerability through her performance.