Quotes from Marianne Faithfull

When you are 18, 19, 20, you're used to being photographed all the time, in a certain way. So, the narcissism becomes almost out of control. And the way that young women are photographed, they become addicted to this feedback of the image.

I've simplified much more in my writing. I say what I've got to say, not in metaphor.

I've done everything I want to do and gone everywhere I want to go.

I'm having a great life, and I want to go on having one.

I'm sick of being self-referential. I don't want to do any more songs that can be accused of being personal.

When I found out my mother wanted me to marry a rich man, I instantly didn't want any rich man.

I'm not sure yet what my higher mission is, but I have a feeling it might be great. Before, I thought my mission was death, but now my mission is life.

There are so many myths out there about Marianne Faithfull, I had to, um, detach. But I can turn it on because Marianne Faithfull is really an attitude, you know.

I come from a very left wing Socialist family, anti-war and anti-empire.

For some people, marriage may be very groovy. For me, it really isn't. I don't think it really is for most people anyway. Most people are not very happy.

I'd love to play a musician in a film.

To be diagnosed with cancer was a frightening thing, and my first reaction was sheer panic, but I was really fortunate that the cancer was caught at such an early stage that I didn't need chemo or radiotherapy. But I know that cancer is a chronic condition, and once you've had it, you're on the list, because it can come back.

I get all dressed up with that Marianne Faithfull face, and the next thing I know, I'm blurting out things that I shouldn't, trying to get attention when, really, I've got everybody's attention already.

If I let myself sink into depression, I won't be able to get out. And then I'll be awfully unhappy. I just have to turn my face to the light and walk on. And trust that things will be all right.

I thought I wanted to go to drama school or university, and that would have been a completely different life. But what got me was the sound, and hearing it. Hearing everything so loud, I loved that back in the studio. I loved that from the very beginning.

Bad behaviour makes men more glamorous. Women get destroyed, thrown out of society and locked up in institutions.

I think it's a great shame that America stopped being a republic and became an empire.

I've got a lot of little compulsive problems, and I've thought about it a lot. And one of the things I ask myself is, 'What are the things I can do that won't hurt me and will help me?' The first answer is work.

The first opera I went to see was Maria Callas singing 'Tosca'.

I like my work, but my life always comes first. I always wanted to have a beautiful life, and the way to do it is in show business.

I do yoga. I do tai chi. I do a lot to keep my body and my spirit together so I can work.

Of course I have regrets; I'm not stupid.

Relationships have a nasty habit of reversing themselves; whatever has been done to you in a previous involvement you'll do to the next person you're involved with, if you get half a chance.

I have to watch out for being lazy.