In the early 1970s Branigan was a member of the band Meadow, which released one album in
1973 called The Friend Ship. In 1976 (April - July) she toured Europe as a backing vocalist for Leonard Cohen. Upon Laura’s return to New York, it became clear to her that she wanted to pursue a career as a solo artist. Laura’s powerful talent, as well as her drive and determination, led to her being signed in October 1977. in a meeting at Sid Bernstein office. He became her first manager. In 1979, Laura Branigan signed with Ahmet Ertegun to the label, Atlantic Records. Her first album, known as Silver Dreams, was to be released in 1981 but it was canceled due to a contract lawsuit with her management.
Laura’s first major appearance on the pop scene was with the anthem “Gloria” in 1982, which has become the signature song of her career. "Gloria" was an English-language cover of a 1979 hit by Italian singer Umberto Tozzi. The track came from Laura’s debut album, Branigan. “Gloria” was a multi-platinum hit single, rising to the top of the Billboard charts and staying on the charts for an amazing thirty-six weeks. Laura received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocalist Female for the song.
In 1983, Laura released Branigan 2 and had two more top ten hits with “Solitaire” and “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You”, confirming her status as a major artist, with the latter track reaching the #1 position on the adult Contemporary charts. That same year, Laura could also be heard on the Flashdance soundtrack with “Imagination”. Her musical involvement with the film led her to receive her second Grammy nomination.
In 1984, the album Self Control was released with the title track, "Self Control" reaching the top ten. "Self Control" became Laura's biggest international hit single. Another single from the album, "The Lucky One" went top 40. Laura also won the coveted Grand Prize at the 13th Tokyo Music Festival for her riveting performance of “The Lucky One.”
Laura’s album Hold Me was released in 1985 and included the top 40 hit “Spanish Eddie”. In 1987 Touch was released. With this album, Laura became more personally involved with the recording process. The ballad, "The Power of Love”, returned Laura to the top 40. Throughout the 80’s, Laura’s songs also appeared on the Ghostbusters, Body Rock, Coming To America, and Salsa soundtracks.
Laura released Laura Branigan in 1990. With this album, Laura added producing to her repertoire with her cover of the disco-era "Turn The Beat Around." Laura's seventh album, Over My Heart, was released in 1993. This recording was by far her most personally reflective to date. In 1995, a US greatest hits collection called The Best of Branigan was released. This hits compilation included two new cover tracks, "Show Me Heaven" and "Dim All The Lights." There have been several international greatest hits compilations released also. Laura performed for audiences in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa, touring the world several times.
During her career, Laura appeared frequently on several of the most popular television shows of the day, including "The Merv Griffin Show," American Bandstand," The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," and "Solid Gold."
Laura’s acting credits included television’s "CHiPs" and "AutoMan", among others, and the films "Mugsy’s Girls" and "Backstage".
In the mid 90's Laura took a break from her career and devoted her time to caring for her husband, who was diagnosed with cancer, until his death. During the late 90’s while Laura was dealing with the loss of her husband, she performed only the occasional concert. In early 2001 she made her return to the studio. 2002 saw the release of "The Essentials", a digitally remastered hits compilation. During 2002, Laura also performed the role of the singing Janis Joplin in the hit New York City musical "Love, Janis."
2004 saw the release of "Self Control 2004" and "Gloria 2004", collections of remixes of the original Branigan classics produced by some of Europe's top remixers, which feature stunning, newly-recorded vocals by Laura. Laura was at work performing concerts at various venues, as well as continuing to record her album of new material, and it was with great expectation and anticipation that fans everywhere were awaiting its release. Laura was back touching audiences once again with the unique four-octave range voice, consuming passion, and undeniable power that was pure Branigan!
Sadly, Laura passed away suddenly on August 26, 2004 † from a brain aneurysm. She was 52 years. At the time of her passing, Laura was working on the production of an EP, a manuscript for a cookbook she was in the process of writing, and the opening of her official online store.
The years since her passing have seen the release of the 2006 UK greatest hits compilation, "The Platinum Collection" and the 2007 repackaging of Laura's US hits compilation, "The Best Of Branigan," as part of Warner Music's "Greatest Hits" series. In 2008, Laura's albums "Touch," "Laura Branigan," and "Over My Heart" were reissued.
Did you know Laura Branigan:
- attended St John's and St Mary's Church in Chappaqua, Westchester County. In spring 1959 she had her holy communion, and added Frances to her names. Laura Ann Frances Branigan.
- attended catholic school, Chappaqua. Graduated 1966
- attended Byram Hills High School in Armonk between 1966-1970. Her graduation day was June 21, 1970.
- Byram Hills Memorial Scholarship is given annually to a senior for excellence in the Performing Arts.
The award is presented in memory of Laura Branigan, BHHS class of 1970.
- attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Manhattan New York, between 1970-1972.
- was a background singer on Leonard Cohen's 1st tour in Europe, April to July 1976
Laura Branigan was married to Lawrence "Larry" Ross Kruteck (1936-1996), a lawyer 16 years her senior, in December 8, 1978.
I Found Someone
Laura Branigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like your words that once rang true
Just like the love I thought I found in you
And I remember the thunder, talkin' 'bout the fire in your eyes
But you walked away when I needed you most
Now maybe, baby, maybe, baby, I found someone
To take away the heartache, to take away the loneliness
Dry your eyes. I never could bear to see you cry
Someday your love will shine through
And show you the feelings you never really knew
But, baby, don't ya lose that thunder, talkin' 'bout the fire in your eyes
You're lookin' at me but you still don't believe
That maybe, baby, maybe, baby, I found someone
To take away the heartache, to take away the loneliness
I've been feelin' since you've been gone, since you've been gone
Too long on the border line, wonderin' if your love was really mine
But you left me with open eyes, and when I realized, baby
I found someone to take away the heartache
To take away the loneliness I've been feelin' since you've been gone
Baby I found someone to take away the heartache
To take away the loneliness I've been feelin' since you've been gone
In Laura Branigan's song "I Found Someone," the lyrics tell the story of a failed relationship. The singer describes how a love they thought was forever was not, and how the person they thought they knew so well ended up leaving when they needed them the most. They then sing about finding someone new who helps to take away the pain and loneliness they have felt since their previous love left. The singer suggests that even though they still care for their former love, they have moved on and found happiness with someone else.
The lyrics of "I Found Someone" are relatable to anyone who has gone through the pain of a failed relationship. The song suggests that even though a love may seem perfect, it can come to an end, leaving behind heartache and loneliness. The singer's hope for a new love represents the resilience of the human spirit, and the strength to keep moving forward even when it seems impossible.
Overall, "I Found Someone" is a beautiful and emotional song that speaks to the heart of anyone who has gone through the pain of a failed relationship. Its lyrics are universal, and its message of hope is something that can resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know, so many things they come and go
Many things in life are fleeting and temporary.
Like your words that once rang true
Just like how your promises and words of love were once true but now they are not.
Just like the love I thought I found in you
Similar to the love that I thought was genuine and real, but actually wasn't.
And I remember the thunder, talkin' 'bout the fire in your eyes
I recall the passionate spark in your eyes and the rumble of excitement in your voice.
But you walked away when I needed you most
Unfortunately, you chose to abandon me when I needed you the most.
Now maybe, baby, maybe, baby, I found someone
Perhaps now I have finally found someone to love again.
To take away the heartache, to take away the loneliness
Someone who can heal my heartache and loneliness.
I've been feelin' since you've been gone, since you've been gone
These emotions have been overwhelming me since you left.
Dry your eyes. I never could bear to see you cry
Please stop crying, as I could never bear to see you in pain.
Someday your love will shine through
One day, you will find the courage to love again.
And show you the feelings you never really knew
And you will discover new emotions that you never knew were possible.
But, baby, don't ya lose that thunder, talkin' 'bout the fire in your eyes
But don't lose the passion and excitement that you once showed.
You're lookin' at me but you still don't believe
Even though you are looking at me, you still doubt that I have found love.
Too long on the border line, wonderin' if your love was really mine
I have spent too long questioning whether your love for me was real or not.
But you left me with open eyes, and when I realized, baby
However, you left me with a clear realization of the truth.
I found someone to take away the heartache
I discovered someone who could heal the pain in my heart.
To take away the loneliness I've been feelin' since you've been gone
Someone who can alleviate the loneliness that I have felt since you left.
Baby I found someone to take away the heartache
Sweetheart, I found someone who has relieved the pain in my heart.
To take away the loneliness I've been feelin' since you've been gone
Someone who has eased the loneliness I have felt since you left.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK MANGOLD, MICHAEL BOLTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
AA BB
It’s always a curiosity when someone covers a song why one was a hit and one wasn’t —
Especially when the basic tracks are as similar as they are here.
Cher and /or her producer must have also wondered why this wasn’t already a hit.
Little was changed for Cher’s version. Maybe a tad punchier on the instrumental riffs.
While I consider both quite good singers, Cher was always a bigger star.
And Cher did make a pretty slick video .
The original demo was undoubtedly done by the song’s writer—
Who later (post Cher’s hit version) released his own version—
Michael Bolton.
Claude Pollard iii
I like Laura's version much more than Cher's- it's more authentic. This should have been a megahit for Laura and she should have been a bigger star that she was.
James Hubbard
The same with the Power of Love. Celine Dion is a talented singer but sometimes a song’s meaning is lost in the midst of hitting or singing the high notes. There are times when it’s not necessary and one appreciates the raw emotions.
Scott Cody
I agree…it should have been a huge hit along with Hold Me.
Billtown Biker
@Daphne Vázquez he wrote it
Daphne Vázquez
You should hear Michael Bolton's version🤩😍😍
PungiFungi
Cher’s version sounded like she was deliberately not to sound like Laura…she tried too hard to make it her own. Then again, it was really her star power at the time that made it a bigger hit.
Jan Brandon
Laura Branigan records songs previous recorded by different artists, but her versions give more of a strong powerful voice range that will literarily send chills up your spine and blow you away with her amazing talent. Missing such a gifted talented performer. RIP
Stephen Gomes
Her songs are eternal - here’s to all that have found their special someone! Thank you Laura for bringing words and a musical score on paper to life.
Learning Wisdom
I can’t get over how good a singer she was, wow, just amazing!!
Alan M J
Even the hardest of hearts can't help but fall in love with Laura