Laura
Chet Baker Lyrics


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Laura is the face in the misty lights.
Footsteps that you hear down the hall.
The love that floats on a summer night,
That you can never quite recall.

And you see Laura on a train that is passing through.
Those eyes how familiar they seem
She gave your very first kiss to you,
That was Laura but she's only a dream.





Overall Meaning

Chet Baker's song "Laura" is a hauntingly beautiful ode to a past love that the singer can't quite remember, but also can't let go of. The song is about the memory of Laura, who appears as a mysterious and ethereal figure in the midst of misty lights and distant footsteps. The love that the singer feels for Laura is ephemeral and intangible, and it's impossible for them to fully recall all the details of their romance, including who she was.


The chorus of the song finds the singer seeing Laura on a passing train, and recognizing her eyes as familiar. They recall that Laura was the one who gave them their very first kiss, but they acknowledge that she's only a dream. The song feels bittersweet, as the singer is clearly enamored with the idea of Laura, but also knows that they can never fully have her.


In its entirety, "Laura" feels like a lament for a lost love, a song that captures the yearning and loss that can come with nostalgia. It's a beautiful piece of music that captures the sadness and beauty of the human experience.


Line by Line Meaning

Laura is the face in the misty lights.
Laura is like a visual enigma, a face that appears and disappears within the foggy illumination.


Footsteps that you hear down the hall.
The sound of steps reverberating through the corridor recall a certain memory or longing.


The love that floats on a summer night,
The feeling of love is like a weightless entity that lingers on a warm summer evening.


That you can never quite recall.
Even though it was once experienced, the details of the memory have slipped from recollection.


And you see Laura on a train that is passing through.
Perhaps by coincidence, you catch a glimpse of someone who reminds you of Laura as she passes by on a train.


Those eyes how familiar they seem
The familiarity of the person's gaze seemingly validates a certain feeling or memory.


She gave your very first kiss to you,
In the past, Laura may have been the person who initiated your first romantic encounter.


That was Laura but she's only a dream.
Although the person may resemble Laura in various aspects, it's only a figment of imagination and not the real Laura.




Writer(s): DAVID RAKSIN

Contributed by Jason K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Hermes Espindola Júnior

Andaram passeando por aí reminiscências de coisas perdidas,
Toques melancólicos, impressionantes. impressionáveis.
Querendo informar, talvez,
que o que tínhamos,
Tínhamos em segredo,
estando, esperando por um toque, uma chave, algo assim que acontecesse e nós despertasse para o êxtase, para o fluir inebriante dos desejos e paixões
Que esperamos nós encontre,
nós desperta e nós leve para a concretização de tudo o que mais profundo que, consciente ou um pouco mais escondido, temos a pretensão de ter.
Acorda, desperta e despreza
Por pouco tempo seja, a crueza da realidade
Para ir ter nós braços diáfano do mais bem bom.
Tudo te espera!
-Lhes!



All comments from YouTube:

Eric Ellquist

It always amazes me how much his horn and his voice had the same qualities.

Luzia Leão

Que coisa linda!!!!

Let `Em Roll

What a gem from a rather obscure and uneven record. (Plays and Sings ,1977) Captures the film noir atmosphere of the tune to perfection.

Solid Snake

Su nombre era Laura y sus ojos eran el reflejó del cielo en el mar una dulzura inmesurable recorría mis sentidos cada vez que escuchaba su Voz, se fue un día con el atardecer para nunca más Volver.

Georgia Festival Chorus

This is one of my very favorite of the many Chet Baker recording that I love. So very lyrical and poignant.

eider moreira

Pura magia o som do mestre Chet Baker!

Dennis Burns

Chet´s sound was an extention of his heart and soul.....pure artistry!

Carle Wooley

Such a nice version of Laura. First time I've heard it, and there are very few trumpet solo's by jazz artists I haven't heard..Thank you for publishing.

Tereza Cristina Meira Faria

Que magnífico! Estou no céu, Maria! Parabéns pelo bom gosto! Adoro jazz e blues! Que música linda! Expressa vida! Harmonia, sintonia, alegria na alma da gente e o coração bate forte de emoção! Obrigada pelo carinho e atenção! 👑🏆🌟💎🌷❤️💋👏🍷

Maryanna Chanteuse

Quelle merveille...! Et dire que je donnerais tout pour aller rejoindre Chet parmi les étoiles...histoire de l'écouter encore et encore...ah si c'était possible..oui je veux bien venir !!! Trop chouette, cette interprétation !! !! Comme c'est beau !!!

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