Marianne Faithfull’s voice in 1975 wasn’t the voice of a "pop princess" anymore. It was a jagged, cigarette-burned instrument that sounded like it had seen too much. Honestly, if you listen to Dreaming My Dreams, you’re hearing the exact moment the 1960s "It Girl" died and the legend we know today was born.
People usually jump straight from her "As Tears Go By" era to the punk snarl of Broken English. They skip the middle. They skip the part where she basically became a country singer for a minute. It’s a wild chapter.
The Rebirth of a "Country-and-Western Marlene Dietrich"
In the mid-70s, Marianne was kind of a ghost in the music industry. She’d spent years struggling with addiction and homelessness. When she finally walked into the studio to record Dreaming My Dreams Marianne Faithfull (the title track and the album), she wasn't looking for a Top 40 hit. She was looking for a way back to herself.
She once described herself during this period as a "country-and-western Marlene Dietrich." It’s such a perfect image. Imagine the high-glamour cynicism of European cabaret mixed with the dusty, lonesome heartbreak of Nashville. That’s what this record is.
The title track, "Dreaming My Dreams with You," was written by Allen Reynolds. You might know the Waylon Jennings version—it’s a classic. But Marianne’s take? It’s different. Waylon sounds like a man stoically accepting a loss; Marianne sounds like someone who is barely hanging on to the dream because the reality is too heavy.
💡 You might also like: Charlize Theron Sweet November: Why This Panned Rom-Com Became a Cult Favorite
Why Ireland Fell in Love First
Here’s a fact that surprises most people: this song was a massive, unexpected number-one hit in Ireland in 1976.
While the UK and the US were largely ignoring her, the Irish audience connected with that raw, folk-adjacent melancholy. It stayed at the top of the charts for weeks. It’s funny how that works. Sometimes you have to go to a specific corner of the world to find your audience before the rest of the planet catches up.
- The Vibe: Lo-fi country, acoustic guitars, and that iconic, raspy delivery.
- The Band: She was backed by The Grease Band (who famously played with Joe Cocker).
- The Voice: This was the first time the public really heard her "new" voice—the one lowered by years of laryngitis and hard living.
The Weird Transition to "Faithless"
The history of this album is messy. In 1976, it was released as Dreamin' My Dreams. Then, two years later, it was repackaged and re-released as Faithless. They swapped out some tracks, changed the artwork, and tried to market it again.
If you’re a collector, you’ve probably noticed the confusion. Basically, Faithless is the "updated" version of the country experiment. It included songs like "Wait for Me Down by the River" and her cover of "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight."
📖 Related: Charlie Charlie Are You Here: Why the Viral Demon Myth Still Creeps Us Out
One of the most moving parts of the record isn’t even a cover. It’s "Lady Madelaine," a song Marianne co-wrote about a friend from her days living on the streets. It’s heartbreaking. It reminds you that even when she was singing Nashville standards, her feet were firmly planted in her own lived experience.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of critics at the time thought she was just "trying on a costume." They didn't think a London girl with aristocratic roots could pull off country. But they missed the point. Country music is built on the "three chords and the truth" philosophy. By 1975, Marianne Faithfull had more "truth" (and scars) than almost anyone in the business.
She wasn't imitating Waylon Jennings or Jessi Colter. She was using their songs to narrate her own survival.
Key Tracks to Revisit:
- Dreamin' My Dreams: The centerpiece. A masterclass in restraint.
- This Time: A Waylon cover that feels surprisingly swampy and tough.
- Wrong Road Again: Pure 70s country-pop, but with that signature Faithfull edge.
- I'm Not Lisa: Originally by Jessi Colter, Marianne turns it into something hauntingly psychological.
The Bridge to Broken English
Without Dreaming My Dreams Marianne Faithfull would have never reached Broken English. This album proved she could still lead a session. It proved her "ruined" voice was actually a superpower.
👉 See also: Cast of Troubled Youth Television Show: Where They Are in 2026
It’s not a "perfect" album. Some of the production feels a bit dated now, and there are a few tracks she later admitted she didn't even like (looking at you, "Sweet Little Sixteen"). But as a document of a woman reclaiming her life? It’s essential.
If you’re looking to dive into this era, don’t just stick to the hits. Seek out the live performances from the late 70s. You can see the transition happening in real-time—the country singer slowly morphing into the New Wave icon.
Next Steps for Your Listening:
- Listen to the Waylon Jennings original of "Dreaming My Dreams" back-to-back with Marianne’s version to hear the shift in perspective.
- Find the 1978 Faithless version of the album if you want the "fuller" picture of this recording period.
- Check out her autobiography, Faithfull, for her own (often blunt) take on why she made a country record in the first place.