Love & Faithfull: A Bond Beyond Comparisons

Courtney Love reflected on her bond with the late Marianne Faithfull, noting their shared dislike for media comparisons.

Love recalled discovering Faithfull's music at an all-ages gay disco in Portland, Oregon, where David Bowie's 'Scary Monsters' and Faithfull's 'Broken English' were prominent. Faithfull's song featuring the word 'c---' made a significant impression on Love.

Love also remembered witnessing Faithfull's powerful 1988 performance of 'Times Square' in New York. This performance, which became part of the live album 'Blazing Away,' deeply affected Love, especially seeing Faithfull perform after overcoming significant personal struggles.

A personal connection between Love and Faithfull developed through their mutual friend, Carrie Fisher. Love stated that she and Faithfull were "weirdly connected" but still found comparisons to each other "ridiculous."

Faithfull had previously commented that such comparisons were a way of "pushing you down," which Love described as "flattering, but also cheap."

Love expressed admiration for Faithfull's 2020 album of poetry and music, 'She Walks in Beauty.' She felt Faithfull's life experiences were embodied in her readings, which helped Love understand classic poetry like Shelley's and Tennyson's.

Faithfull aimed to convey the poetry's meaning without pretension, hoping to offer listeners a new understanding, much like musicians Warren Ellis and Courtney Love had experienced.