The Ballad of Lucy Jordan

Last updated

"The Ballad of Lucy Jordon"
Single by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show
B-side "Make it Easy"
Released1974
Length3:53
Label CBS
Songwriter(s) Shel Silverstein
Producer(s) Ron Haffkine
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show singles chronology
"Life Ain't Easy"
(1973)
"The Ballad of Lucy Jordon"
(1974)
"The Millionaire"
(1975)

"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" is a song by American poet and songwriter Shel Silverstein. It was originally recorded in 1974 by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, with the name spelled "Jordon". The song describes the disillusionment and mental deterioration of a suburban housewife, who climbs to a rooftop "when the laughter grew too loud".

Contents

Marianne Faithfull version

"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan"
Marianne Faithfull - The Ballad of Lucy Jordan single.jpg
Single by Marianne Faithfull
from the album Broken English
B-side "Brain Drain"
Released26 October 1979 (1979-10-26)
Recorded
  • May–July 1979
  • Matrix Studios, London
Genre
Length4:09
Label Island
Songwriter(s) Shel Silverstein
Producer(s) Mark Miller Mundy
Marianne Faithfull singles chronology
"The Way You Want Me To Be"
(1978)
"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan"
(1979)
"Broken English"
(1980)
Official video
"The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan" at TopPop on YouTube

Background

The song was recorded by the English singer Marianne Faithfull for her 1979 album Broken English . This version was released as a single in October 1979, and became one of her highest-charting songs. It is featured on the soundtracks to the films Montenegro , Tarnation and Thelma & Louise . Faithfull also performed the song during a guest appearance in the episode "Donkey" from the fourth season of Absolutely Fabulous , in which God (Faithfull) sings the song in a dream to a miserable, dieting Edina. In 2016, the Faithfull version was used in the finale of American Horror Story: Hotel . [2]

In an interview on ITV's The South Bank Show aired on 24 June 2007, Faithfull said that her interpretation was that Lucy climbs to the rooftop but gets taken away by "the man who reached and offered her his hand" in an ambulance ("long white car") to a psychiatric hospital, and that the final lines ("At the age of thirty-seven she knew she'd found forever / As she rode along through Paris with the warm wind in her hair ...") are actually in her imagination at the hospital. [3] Thelma and Louise has a similar fatalistic theme. [4]

The official music video for the song features Faithfull alone, smartly dressed and with coiffured hair adorned with ornate golden oak leaves. Shots with her squatting on the floor hugging herself or her standing looking tense, anxious and remote, alternate and overlap with shots of her singing the song, either in full length or in close-up portrait.

Reception

Smash Hits said, "The Debbie Harry of the sixties returns to vinyl with an honestly outstanding offering, a version of an old Doctor Hook number related over a swimming synthesiser. If you can handle this, it sounds like Dolly Parton produced by Brian Eno. Only better." [5]

AllMusic noted Faithfull's "faint vocal approach accompanied by the lone synthesizer emanates an eerie candor throughout the song's duration. This wispiness helps to build the fantasy/reality concept of the song, and shows Faithfull at her most sincere." [6] Pitchfork mentioned the, "pain in her fractured voice". [7]

The Arts Desk said, "Pin-sharp, it was laceratingly at one with the dark clouds gathering over music in the wake of punk." [8] Billboard ranked the song number on its list of the top ten greatest Marianne Faithfull songs. [9]

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1979–80)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [11] 18
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [12] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [13] 7
France (SNEP) [14] 17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [15] 19
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [16] 20
South Africa (Springbok Radio SA Top 20)4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [17] 5
UK Singles (OCC) [18] 48
West Germany (GfK) [19] 5

Other cover versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shel Silverstein</span> American poet, cartoonist, and writer (1930–1999)

Sheldon Allan Silverstein was an American writer and musician. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Silverstein briefly attended university before being drafted into the United States Army. During his rise to prominence in the 1950s, his illustrations were published in various newspapers and magazines, including the adult-oriented Playboy. He also wrote a satirical, adult-oriented alphabet book, Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marianne Faithfull</span> English rock singer (born 1946)

Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull is an English rock singer-songwriter. She achieved popularity in the 1960s with the release of her hit single "As Tears Go By" and became one of the lead female artists during the British Invasion in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Boy Named Sue</span> Song by Shel Silverstein, Johnny Cash

"A Boy Named Sue" is a song written by Shel Silverstein and made famous by Johnny Cash. Cash recorded the song live in concert on February 24, 1969, at California's San Quentin State Prison for his At San Quentin album. Cash also performed the song in December 1969 at Madison Square Garden. The live San Quentin version of the song became Cash's biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and his only top ten single there, spending three weeks at No. 2 in 1969, held out of the top spot by "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones. The track also topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Easy Listening charts that same year and was certified Gold on August 14, 1969, by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Bare</span> American country singer

Robert Joseph Bare Sr. is an American country singer and songwriter, best known for the songs "Marie Laveau", "Detroit City" and "500 Miles Away from Home". He is the father of Bobby Bare Jr., also a musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Memory Remains</span> 1997 single by Metallica

"The Memory Remains" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. Written by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, it was the lead single from the band's seventh studio album, Reload, released in 1997. The song was first performed live in a "jam" version on July 2, 1996. British singer Marianne Faithfull was featured on backing vocals, as Hetfield felt her "weathered, smellin'-the-cigarettes-on-the-CD voice" fit what he described as "the whole eeriness of the Sunset Boulevard-feel of the song", given the lyrics tell the story of a faded artist who goes insane from losing her fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As Tears Go By (song)</span> 1964 pop song

"As Tears Go By" is a song written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Rolling Stones' manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Marianne Faithfull recorded and released it as a single in the United Kingdom in 1964. Her song peaked at number nine on both the UK and Irish singles charts. Later, the Rolling Stones recorded their own version, which was included on the American album December's Children . London Records released it as a single, which reached number six in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

<i>Broken English</i> (album) 1979 studio album by Marianne Faithfull

Broken English is the seventh studio album by English singer Marianne Faithfull. It was released on 2 November 1979 by Island Records. The album marked a major comeback for Faithfull after years of suffering due to drug abuse, homelessness, and anorexia. It is often regarded as her definitive recording and Faithfull herself has described it as her "masterpiece".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay (Shakespears Sister song)</span> 1992 single by Shakespears Sister

"Stay" is a song by UK-based pop act Shakespears Sister, released in January 1992 by London Records as the second single from their second album, Hormonally Yours (1992). The single was written by Siobhan Fahey, Marcella Detroit, and Dave Stewart, and became a massive hit. It is the duo's first and only number-one single in numerous territories, including the UK, where it topped the UK Singles Chart for eight consecutive weeks and was the fourth-biggest-selling single of 1992. "Stay" also reached No. 1 in Sweden and in band member Siobhan Fahey's birthplace, Ireland. It was a transatlantic hit as well, reaching No. 4 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. Its music video was directed by Sophie Muller and drew inspirations from the 1953 film Cat-Women of the Moon. At the 1993 Brit Awards "Stay" won the award for British Video of the Year.

<i>Dangerous Acquaintances</i> 1981 studio album by Marianne Faithfull

Dangerous Acquaintances is the eighth studio album by English singer Marianne Faithfull. It was released on 1 September 1981 by Island Records. The album was seen by reviewers as a disappointing follow-up to Faithfull's Broken English, as the album trades the angry and controversial alternative new wave arrangements of the previous one for a more mainstream rock texture, using over a dozen session musicians and, for some, giving a certain anonymous feel to the songs. The title is a reference to the Pierre Choderlos de Laclos 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marianne Faithfull discography</span>

This is the discography of Marianne Faithfull, an English singer and actress.

<i>Strange Weather</i> (Marianne Faithfull album) 1987 studio album by Marianne Faithfull

Strange Weather is a 1987 studio album by British singer Marianne Faithfull, recorded after recovering from a 17-year addiction to heroin in 1986. The album's three predecessors on Island Records were all recorded while Faithfull confronted personal struggles, and contained a majority of lyrics and some music penned by Faithfull herself. In contrast, Strange Weather is a striking mix of rock, blues and dark cabaret, and though none of the songs were written by Faithfull, all are tied together by the spare and nuanced production of Hal Willner, using a notable group of contributing musicians, such as Bill Frisell. The title track has since become a Faithfull concert staple and has appeared live in three additional recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sylvia's Mother</span> Single by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show

"Sylvia's Mother" is a 1972 single by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show and the group's first hit song. It was written by Shel Silverstein, produced by Ron Haffkine and was highly successful in the United States, reaching #5 on the Billboard singles chart, as well as #2 in the United Kingdom. It spent three weeks at #1 on the Australian music charts, making it the 15th ranked single in Australia for 1972; and also reached #1 in South Africa, where it was the 3rd ranked song for the year, and in New Zealand. The song spent 7 consecutive weeks at #1 in Ireland on the Irish Singles Chart. It appeared on the group's first album, Doctor Hook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cover of "Rolling Stone"</span> 1972 single by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show

"The Cover of 'Rolling Stone'" is a song written by Shel Silverstein and first recorded by American rock group Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show. Produced by Ron Haffkine and released in 1972, it was the band's third single and peaked at No. 6 on the U.S. pop chart for two weeks on March 17–24, 1973. The song satirically laments that the band had not appeared on the cover of the Rolling Stone, a magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. The song's success led to the band appearing on the cover of the March 1973 issue of Rolling Stone, albeit in caricature.

"The Unicorn" is a song written by Shel Silverstein. It was originally released in 1962 on his album Inside Folk Songs.

<i>A Secret Life</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Marianne Faithfull

A Secret Life is the twelfth studio album by English singer Marianne Faithfull. It was released on 21 March 1995 by Island Records. The album marked her first studio release composed mostly of original material in over a decade. Faithfull collaborated with American composer Angelo Badalamenti after his work on the television series Twin Peaks. Influenced by her interest in classical music, A Secret Life was a musical departure from her previous work and displayed a more tender side to her voice.

"Do You Know What I'm Saying?" is the third and final single released from Wendy James' debut solo album Now Ain't the Time for Your Tears. The single was released in 1993 and was written by Elvis Costello.

<i>Blazing Away</i> 1990 live album by Marianne Faithfull

Blazing Away is a live album by British singer Marianne Faithfull, released on the Island label in 1990.

Ron Haffkine was an American record producer, composer and music manager most recognized for his work as a producer and manager of Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, an American rock band, producing hit singles including "Sylvia's Mother", "The Cover of Rolling Stone", "Sharing the Night Together", "A Little Bit More" and "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" and achieving 67 Gold and Platinum records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broken English (song)</span> 1980 single by Marianne Faithfull

"Broken English" is a song recorded by English singer Marianne Faithfull for her seventh studio album Broken English (1979). It was released as the second single from the album on 25 January 1980 by Island Records. Written by Faithfull, Barry Reynolds, Joe Mavety, Steve York and Terry Stannard, the song's lyrical theme revolves around terrorism. The inspiration behind the song was Ulrike Meinhof, a co-founder of the terrorist group Baader-Meinhof Gang. Faithfull allegedly got the idea for the song after watching a documentary about the group and was intrigued by its subtitle "broken English... spoken English".

<i>No Exit</i> (Marianne Faithfull album) 2016 live album by Marianne Faithfull

No Exit is a 2016 live album by English pop singer Marianne Faithfull. The album was released as both an audio work and a concert film made up of a 92-minute performance in 2014 and a bonus 30-minute collection of songs from 2016.

References

  1. MacDonald, Bruno (2016). "Marianne Faithfull - Broken English". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die . London: Cassell Illustrated. p. 437.
  2. Hanks, A. E. (14 January 2016). "American Horror Story' Season 5 Finale: The Real Lady". New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  3. Podcast The South Bank Show Archived 14 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Bernie Cook (January 2010), Thelma & Louise live!, University of Texas Press, ISBN   9780292782501
  5. David Hepworth (14 November 1979). "Singles". Smash Hits. No. 25.
  6. Mike Degagne. "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan". AllMusic.
  7. Lindsay Zoladz. "Broken English: Deluxe Edition". Pitchfork.
  8. Kieron Tyler. "Reissue CDs Weekly: Marianne Faithfull, Françoise Hardy, Pia Fraus". The Arts Desk.
  9. Lynch, Joe (29 December 2021). "Marianne Faithfull Turns 75: Celebrate With Her 10 Best Songs (Critic's Picks)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  10. "MOJO Time Machine: Marianne Faithfull Releases Broken English". Mojo. 24 April 2023.
  11. "Marianne Faithfull – The Ballad of Lucy Jordan". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  12. "Marianne Faithfull – The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  13. "Marianne Faithfull – The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  14. "Marianne Faithfull – The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  15. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Marianne Faithfull" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  16. "Marianne Faithfull – The Ballad of Lucy Jordan". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  17. "Marianne Faithfull – The Ballad of Lucy Jordan". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  19. "Offiziellecharts.de – Marianne Faithfull – The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  20. "RPM Top 75 Country Singles - October 25, 1980" (PDF).
  21. "RPM Top 60 AC - April 8, 1996" (PDF).
  22. Per Magnusson (22 September 2017). "Kikkis självhjälpscountry urstark" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. Retrieved 31 March 2018.