Marlene Dietrich's Favorite Poem by Peter Murphy

Album: Deep (1989)

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

A track from Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy's third solo album, "Marlene Dietrich's Favorite Poem" was inspired by a documentary he saw about the famous German actress. Dietrich was always coy when it came to revealing details about her life, but when she was asked to read her famous poem, she seemed to reveal her true self.

Murphy has taken a similar approach in his public persona, leaving much of his life and work open to question.
These lines:

Oh Marlene suffer all the fools
Who write you on the wall

Are likely a reference to the 1985 Suzanne Vega song "Marlene On The Wall," where Vega sings about the poster of Dietrich she had on her wall.

Comments: 2

Musicihaveloved from Here Of CourseI always thought it was a ballad to his mother.
Crow Boy from The UniverseWhile that's an interesting take on the lyric about the writing on the wall, a more common definition of the phrase might be more appropriate. "The writing is on the wall" means that something will cease to exist. That can be interpreted as her life, or the memory of her, or even the truth which could be replaced by lies about who she was.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Just Can't Get EnoughThe Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas shot the video for "Just Can't Get Enough" in Japan just a week before a devastating earthquake hit the country.

Cigarettes And Chocolate MilkRufus Wainwright

"Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk" describes a time in Rufus Wainwright's life when he found himself hungover and pounding chocolate milk to feel better. It didn't work, so he smoked a cigarette, which is when he realized his addictive personality could be a problem.

Wrecking BallMiley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus didn't write "Wrecking Ball" but could very much relate to it. She was having problems in her relationship with Liam Hemsworth, so the theme of giving your love only to have it wrecked really resonated with her.

Why Can't We Be Friends?War

War got the idea for "Why Can't We Be Friends?" when they were traveling in Japan and found they had a kinship with the citizens even though they didn't speak the same language.

Opposites AttractPaula Abdul

MC Skat Kat was created for the remix of "Opposites Attract," which was released as the last single from Paula Abdul's Forever Your Girl album. The team that created the Kat also did a-ha's "Take On Me" video.

Don't You Want MeThe Human League

Phil Oakey of The Human League recorded his vocals for "Don't You Want Me" in the studio bathroom. The recording was disrupted by guitarist Jo Callis reaching through an open window from outside to repeatedly flush one of the toilets.