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Click on the song titles above for lyrics and songwriting credits
Although Marianne had written lyrics to a handful of her earlier recordings, ‘Sister Morphine‘ was perhaps her first defining artistic statement, and its penetrating ennui would soon become her signature style. Co-authored with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards who wrote the tune, the track was produced by Mick, and cut alongside a new composition by Gerry Goffin and Barry Mann for the A-side called ‘Something Better’; both songs were released as a single to accompany her greatest hits package, The World of Marianne Faithfull, Marianne was originally to promote her single on The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus, a new concert film for the BBC directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. The TV special was taped on the 11th and 12th December 1968, but was not released commercially until 1996, allegedly because the Stones felt their performance was overshadowed by some of their guests namely The Who. Wearing a purple evening dress and sporting a new shorter haircut, Marianne sat in the center of the circus ring and sang ‘Something Better’ live to a pre-recorded backing track. A stylish photograph from the performance was used to advertise the single, and in the surviving images and footage Marianne radiates a melancholy vulnerability. In fact, she was still reeling from the loss of a child, as less than a month earlier she had gone into labour at seven months and gave birth to a stillborn daughter she named Corrina.
In some territories such as Holland, Italy and Japan, ‘Sister Morphine’ appeared on the A-side. In the US both tracks would be released in stereo, but on the UK, French and Dutch editions of the single the songs appeared in alternative mono versions. Those recordings were unavailable for over 50 years, but finally made their CD debut on the Songs Of Innocence And Experience compilation. When the UK seven-inch came out, Decca grew alarmed by the drug reference in ‘Sister Morphine‘ and decided to withdraw the release. Two years later The Rolling Stones released their version on the 1971 album Sticky Fingers.
Musicians: Mick Jagger acoustic guitar, Ry Cooder slide guitar and bass, Jack Nitzsche piano and organ, and Charlie Watts on drums.
Arranger: Jack Nitzsche.
