Marianne Faithfull – Broken English

Marianne Faithfull – Broken English

Marianne Faithfull’s Broken English is a landmark 1979 album that reinvented her musical identity and established her as one of the most uncompromising voices in British rock. Released on Island Records, this powerful comeback record replaced the delicate folk-pop image of her 1960s beginnings with a raw, weathered vocal delivery and a striking blend of new wave, art rock, punk attitude and electronic textures.

Recorded at Matrix Studios in London and produced by Mark Miller Mundy, Broken English captures the tension and uncertainty of its era. The arrangements combine sharp guitar work, insistent rhythms, keyboards and atmospheric production, creating a sound that is simultaneously abrasive, sophisticated and emotionally exposed. Faithfull’s distinctive, husky voice sits at the centre of the music, delivering each song with a lived-in intensity that makes the album feel deeply personal without sacrificing its political and social edge.

The title track sets the tone with its urgent, modern sound and unsettling commentary on political violence. “Witches’ Song” adds a darker, atmospheric dimension, while “Brain Drain” and “Guilt” explore the album’s troubled emotional landscape. One of its most enduring performances is “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan”, Shel Silverstein’s portrait of a woman confronting the distance between her everyday existence and her abandoned dreams. Faithfull’s interpretation gives the song a haunting sense of resignation and quiet desperation.

The album also includes a compelling version of John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero”, whose critique of social conditioning suits Faithfull’s newly direct, unsentimental approach. The closing track, “Why D’Ya Do It”, is a confrontational, explicit performance that pushes the record’s emotional intensity to its limits. Its uncompromising lyrics were controversial enough to create difficulties with the album’s initial distribution in the UK.

Broken English marked a decisive turning point in Faithfull’s career, earning critical acclaim, expanding her international audience and opening the way for a remarkable second act as an artist. Its combination of post-punk sensibility, art-rock sophistication and stark, expressive songwriting continues to resonate with listeners interested in late-1970s alternative music, adventurous female vocalists and records that challenge conventional pop expectations.

An essential Marianne Faithfull album, Broken English belongs in collections focused on British new wave, art rock, post-punk-era music and influential late-1970s recordings.

Tracklist

Side A
A1. Broken English
A2. Witches' Song
A3. Brain Drain
A4. Guilt

Side B
B1. The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan
B2. What's The Hurry
B3. Working Class Hero
B4. Why D'Ya Do It