Queens of Rock Showdown: Marianne Faithfull vs PJ Harvey. Who wins the battle of the B-sides?
Two Queens from Different Kingdoms
Marianne Faithfull and PJ Harvey don’t just sing songs—they bleed stories, rewrite rules, and carve identities through sound. Faithfull arrived in the 1960s as a delicate folk-pop figure, only to return in the '70s and '80s as a gravel-voiced force of post-punk poetry. PJ Harvey, exploding into the '90s alt-rock scene with raw power, has spent her career shape-shifting through sound, mood, and message.
This showdown isn't about mainstream hits or radio play. It’s a tribute to the underdogs of their discographies—the B-sides, the deep cuts, the songs that hit hardest once the spotlight moves away.
Marianne Faithfull – The Haunting Chanteuse
Faithfull’s life has always been part of her legend. From her high-profile relationship with Mick Jagger to her struggles with addiction, her story echoes through her music. What began with the polished beauty of “As Tears Go By” evolved into the harsh, beautiful truth-telling of Broken English and beyond.
B-side and deep cut gems to explore:
“Sister Morphine” – Co-written with Jagger and Richards, this chilling ballad about addiction was originally recorded by Faithfull in 1969, before the Stones made it famous.
“The Ballad of Lucy Jordan” – A surreal narrative of suburban disillusionment, wrapped in synth-pop melancholia.
“Guilt” – A visceral track from Broken English that walks the line between prayer and punishment.
“Over Here (No Time for Justice)” – One of her more recent gems—spoken-word, cinematic, and politically sharp.
PJ Harvey – The Sonic Alchemist
Few modern artists have shapeshifted with such defiance. From the primal howl of Rid of Me to the ghostly poetry of Let England Shake, Harvey's work resists containment. She writes like a novelist, performs like a chameleon, and builds soundscapes that sting long after the music ends.
B-side and rarity recommendations:
“Reeling” – From the Dry era, it's a fierce, unpolished gem soaked in punk rage.
“Sweeter Than Anything” – A B-side to “C’mon Billy,” dripping with vulnerability and raw seduction.
“Somebody’s Down, Somebody’s Name” – A sparse, haunting track that exposes Harvey’s poetic instincts.
“66 Promises” – Dreamy and ominous, this hidden treasure reveals her talent for atmosphere and slow-burning intensity.
The Showdown: Edge by Edge
So how do these two titans truly compare? When it comes to lyrics, Marianne Faithfull leans into deeply poetic storytelling—her songs are like weathered love letters laced with regret and rebellion.
PJ Harvey’s lyrics, by contrast, are more cryptic and visceral—she uses words like weapons, slicing into societal issues and emotional states with equal ease.
Vocally, Faithfull delivers with smoky theatricality, her voice aged like an old blues record, while Harvey commands attention with raw urgency and unpredictable shifts in tone.
On stage, Faithfull exudes a tragic, magnetic presence steeped in personal myth, while Harvey is more of a performance artist—intentionally distant, enigmatic, yet always in control.
In terms of reinvention, both women are fearless: Faithfull made a radical transformation from polished pop star to post-punk priestess, while Harvey reinvented herself with nearly every album, embracing literary themes, historical narratives, and even spoken word.
As for their B-sides? Faithfull’s are like shadowed ballads—intimate and reflective—while Harvey’s are restless experiments, often more intense than her A-sides. They may not share the same voice or era, but they both carry the spirit of rock’s most daring storytellers.
Verdict? You Decide.
It’s not about winners—it’s about the power of two women who’ve turned pain, politics, and poetry into timeless rock legacies. One gave us raw confessionals wrapped in punk noir; the other cloaked her protest and passion in distorted guitars and poetic riddles.
Who holds the crown in your eyes? Drop your thoughts in the comments and head to our social channels for more about Queens of Rock.
And don’t miss the curated playlist featuring deeper cuts from each artist—it’s a journey into the shadows of two remarkable careers.
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