Courtney Love Says She and the Late Marianne Faithfull ‘Hated Being Compared to Each Other’

**Courtney Love Reflects on Marianne Faithfull’s Legacy and Their Unique Bond**

In a recent interview with *The Times*, Courtney Love paid tribute to the late singer and actress Marianne Faithfull, who passed away in January 2025 at the age of 78. Their relationship, marked by mutual respect and a shared reluctance to be compared, is a poignant reminder of the complexities of female artistry in the music industry.

Love, the former frontwoman of the alternative rock band Hole, opened up about her first encounter with Faithfull’s music during her youth. She recalled that it was at an “all-ages gay disco” in Portland, Oregon where she first discovered the unique sounds of Faithfull’s work. “The two big albums were [David] Bowie’s *Scary Monsters* and *Broken English*,” Love shared. The latter notably includes a track where Faithfull uses a provocative term that Love boldly described as “cool as f—.”

Despite their vastly different styles and public personas, Love and Faithfull expressed a shared disdain for being pitted against one another in the media. Love candidly stated, “Marianne was an intellectual and I am not,” acknowledging Faithfull’s literary prowess, including her appreciation for works such as Dante’s *Inferno*. In contrast, Love confessed her tendency toward the more accessible and catchy elements of music, which she characterised with an admiration for “a cheap thrill and a Beatles hook.”

As the conversation shifted to performances, Love recounted her awe at witnessing Faithfull live in New York in 1988, an experience that left a lasting impression on her. “I couldn’t concentrate because Sally Grossman, the woman on the cover of Bob Dylan’s *Bringing It All Back Home*, was sitting next to me,” Love mused. However, the performance itself was unforgettable. “Here’s this woman who comes back from being ‘ruined,’ playing an incredible show with her co-writer Barry Reynolds, who she was clearly having an affair with. And well, it was incredible.”

Their connection deepened over the years, largely facilitated by their shared friendship with the late actress Carrie Fisher. In a joint interview with the *Los Angeles Times*, Love noted how their bond was strengthened through Fisher. “Marianne and I are weirdly connected,” she stated, but highlighted the absurdity of having to constantly defend their individuality, saying, “We can’t stand being compared to each other. It’s ridiculous.”

Faithfull, in her interviews, responded to the comparisons with a sense of humour, remarking that she did not pay much attention to them but recognised the underlying implications. “Comparing two female artists is a funny way of pushing you down,” she mused, a sentiment echoed by Love, who found the comparisons both “flattering” yet “cheap.”

Furthering their discussions, the pair delved into Faithfull’s album *She Walks in Beauty*, a collection of poetry set to music that she recorded during her recovery from a severe bout of COVID-19. Love emphasised the transformative impact of the album on her understanding of poetry. “I can understand [Percy Bysshe] Shelley for the first time,” she remarked, acknowledging how Faithfull’s delivery brought new life to the works.

In response, Faithfull articulated her intention behind the album, expressing a desire to make the poems accessible without being pretentious. “Warren Ellis told me that until he heard me read them, he didn’t really understand them,” she shared, indicating the potential for listeners to glean new insights from her interpretations. “It’s a question: What have I got to give now? And at the moment, I have to give this.”

As Love continues to honour Faithfull’s memory through her participation in the upcoming documentary *Broken English*, the significance of their shared experiences and mutual admiration is evident. Both artists have carved their own legacies, transcending the constraints of comparison while profoundly influencing each other’s artistic journeys.

The bond they formed over decades serves as a reminder that female artists can uplift one another, even in an industry frequently rife with competition. In reflecting on their relationship, Love’s insights illuminate the complexities of identity and artistry, contributing to a deeper understanding of not just their individual paths but also the artistic legacy left behind by Faithfull.

As the music world continues to mourn the loss of Marianne Faithfull, it will undoubtedly remember her not only for her iconic performances and lyrical contributions but also for the relationships she nurtured, including the unique connection she shared with Courtney Love.