Baroque Pop

The song is credited to Rolling Stone members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and their manager Andrew Loog Oldham. The Rolling Stones up until that point had been performing blues standards, and Oldham wanted them to write their own songs. Evidently, Oldham said, “I want a song with brick walls all around it, high windows and no sex.” Anyway, the result a lovely ballad that was first recorded by 17-year-old Marianne Faithfull in 1964. It was originally the B-Side, but its popularity caused it to be the A-Side (backed with “Greensleeves”). Faithfull’s rendition went to #9 in the U.K. and Ireland, #22 in the U.S. and #35 in Australia in 1964. The Rollling Stones also recorded the song, and released it as a single in 1965 and on their 1965 album December’s Children (And Everybody’s). Their version went to #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Marianne Faithfull was born Marian Eely Faithfull in Hampstead, London, England. She has been a singer, songwriter, and actress for many decades.

Here are the lyrics to “As Tears Go By” by Famianne Faithfull:

“It is the evening of the day, hey hey hey
I sit and watch the children play, hey hey hey
Smiling faces I can see but not for me
I sit and watch as tears go by

My riches can’t buy everythin’
I want to hear the children sing
All I hear is the sound
Of rain falling on the ground
I sit and watch as tears go by

It is the evening of the day, hey hey hey
I sit and watch the children play, hey hey hey
Doing things I used to do, they think are new
I sit and watch as tears go by

Ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra
Ra ra ra ra ra ra rara, ra ra
Ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra , ra ra
Ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra, hmm”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “As Tears Go By” by Marianne Faithfull.