As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, "Isn't Always Love" by Lynn Anderson. Also Linda Ronstadt has successfully recorded a number of her songs, including, "Someone To Lay Down Beside Me," "Trouble Again," "All My Life," "Falling Star" and "Goodbye My Friend," thus helping to introduce Bonoff to a larger audience.
In her early career, Bonoff sang background vocals for Linda Ronstadt and Wendy Waldman before releasing her debut album in 1977, titled Karla Bonoff (1977). Her other albums include Restless Nights (1979), Wild Heart of the Young (1982), New World (1988), and All My Life (a greatest hits collection) in 1999. Bonoff is best known as a songwriter, but she is also noted for her hit recording of "Personally", which reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1982. She also recorded "Standing Right Next To Me" on the "8 Seconds" movie soundtrack (1994) and "Somebody's Eyes" on the "Footloose" soundtrack (1984).
Karla's first live album was released in September 2007. This double CD includes many of her hits performed live in concert on October 24, 2004 (except for one song recorded July 30, 2005). She is backed by her touring band including Kenny Edwards (guitar, bass, mandolin, cello, vocals) and Nina Gerber (guitar) plus long time associate Scott Babcock (drums and vocals).
She is also a member of the currently inactive group Bryndle, which includes Wendy Waldman and Kenny Edwards. The band has also included Andrew Gold who left the band in 1996. The group had released three albums between 1995 and 2002.
Her songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, she herself hit 19 on the top 100 singing "Personally" written by P. Kelly. A writer from the heart, collaborated with Pete Seger and Frank Hamilton on "The Water is Wide." Although she released just four studio albums in her first 30 years as a recording artist, in 2007 she issued a well-received live album.
The Letter
Karla Bonoff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I found the pages that she wrote to you
My heart just froze, but I couldn't stop myself
I see what jealously can do
I see now it's true, well there has been somebody
Who's had a real hold on you
And here in this bed, I guess you must have held her
She wrote that you said
You needed her to face the world
I wish that it could all just be erased
I can't believe she could take my place
As you came up the stairs
You asked "Are you all right?"
"I'd better go" was all I said
But there in your room I saw something that
I really wish I never read
In Karla Bonoff's song, "Letter," the singer discovers a collection of letters her partner's ex-lover had written him. The discovery shocks and hurts her, as she realizes that there was someone who had a strong impact on her partner's life and that they must have shared intimate moments together in the bed they now share. The jealousy and hurt she feels are palpable as she reflects on how she never saw any indication of this relationship before.
The lines "She wrote that you said / You needed her to face the world" highlight the singer's fear and insecurity that she is replaceable in her partner's life. The discovery of the letters has made her wonder whether he still feels the same way about her or whether he truly needed her ex-lover to face the world as he said. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer feels a sense of regret at having peeked into her partner's past and learning something she wish she never had.
Karla Bonoff's "Letter" is a poignant exploration of jealousy, betrayal, and the vulnerability that comes with loving someone. Its lyrics are filled with raw emotions that many people can relate to, and the use of first-person point of view makes the song more personal and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
Back there in your room, while you were gone
While you were away, I went to your room
I found the pages that she wrote to you
I found some letters that a woman wrote to you
My heart just froze, but I couldn't stop myself
I felt shocked and hurt, but I couldn't stop myself from reading the letters
I see what jealously can do
I now understand how jealousy can make a person feel
I see now it's true, well there has been somebody
I now realize that you have been seeing someone else
Who's had a real hold on you
This person has a strong emotional hold on you
And here in this bed, I guess you must have held her
I assume you have been intimate with this person in our bed
How strange I never knew
It's strange that I didn't know about this person before
She wrote that you said
The letters contained things you allegedly said to her
You needed her to face the world
You claimed that you needed this person's support to face the world
I wish that it could all just be erased
I wish that this situation could be undone and never happened
I can't believe she could take my place
I am surprised that this person has replaced me in your life
As you came up the stairs
When you approached the room
You asked "Are you all right?"
You asked if I was okay
"I'd better go" was all I said
I said that I should leave
But there in your room I saw something that
However, in your room I saw something that
I really wish I never read
I deeply regret having read the letters
Contributed by Grayson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.