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.
Self Control
Laura Branigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
City light painted girl
In the day nothing matters
It's the night time that flatters
In the night, no control
Through the wall something's breaking
Wearing white as you're walkin'
You take my self, you take my self control
You got me livin' only for the night
Before the morning comes, the story's told
You take my self, you take my self control
Another night, another day goes by
I never stop myself to wonder why
You help me to forget to play my role
You take my self, you take my self control
I, I live among the creatures of the night
I haven't got the will to try and fight
Against a new tomorrow, so I guess I'll just believe it
That tomorrow never comes
A safe night, I'm living in the forest of my dream
I know the night is not as it would seem
I must believe in something, so I'll make myself believe it
That this night will never go
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Oh, the night is my world
City light painted girl
In the day nothing matters
It's the night time that flatters
I, I live among the creatures of the night
I haven't got the will to try and fight
Against a new tomorrow, so I guess I'll just believe it
That tomorrow never knows
A safe night, I'm living in the forest of a dream
I know the night is not as it would seem
I must believe in something, so I'll make myself believe it
That this night will never go
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
You take my self, you take my self control
The lyrics of Laura Branigan's song Self Control create an image of a world where the night reigns supreme. The singer, entranced by the allure of the city’s lights and the mystery of the night, finds herself disregarding the constraints of her daytime life. She feels no control in the darkness and is drawn to another, depicted by a walker dressed in white. This other embodies the mystery of the night and the singer is compelled to follow. This new figure is irresistible and helps her forget her problems and responsibilities. However, the awakening of a new day signals the end of this escape, and the singer comes back to the reality of her life. She dreams of a world where she can forget her worries and live in the comfort of her own dreams, but she knows deep down that this cannot be.
The lyrics of Self Control speak to the yearning for an escape from the monotony of everyday life. The night, with its mystery and liberation, is a symbol of this escape, but the end of each night inevitably brings the return of mundane problems. The singer’s inability to take control of her own desires reflects the struggle many people face in balancing the responsibilities of life with the pursuit of their own happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the night is my world
The singer enjoys the night and feels more alive when it is dark.
City light painted girl
The city at night looks like a beautiful work of art.
In the day nothing matters
The singer feels unimportant and unfulfilled during daylight hours.
It's the night time that flatters
The artist feels special and valued when it is dark outside.
In the night, no control
The artist feels free and uninhibited when it is dark outside.
Through the wall something's breaking
The singer hears a disturbance or conflict happening nearby.
Wearing white as you're walkin'
Someone the singer likes is dressed in white and walking nearby.
Down the street of my soul
The person the artist likes is a significant part of their innermost thoughts and feelings.
You take my self, you take my self control
The person the artist likes has power over them and their actions.
You got me livin' only for the night
The person the artist likes is the center of their life and all they can think about.
Before the morning comes, the story's told
The singer knows that the night will end and their time with the person they like will come to an end.
Another night, another day goes by
Time passes quickly and the artist is constantly thinking about the person they like.
I never stop myself to wonder why
The singer is content to let their feelings for this person remain a mystery to them.
You help me to forget to play my role
The person the singer likes distracts them from their everyday responsibilities and obligations.
I, I live among the creatures of the night
The singer feels like they belong to the nighttime world and those who inhabit it.
I haven't got the will to try and fight
The artist is resigned to their fate and doesn't want to resist their feelings for the person they like.
Against a new tomorrow, so I guess I'll just believe it
The artist doesn't have faith in a better future and chooses to believe that things will stay the same.
That tomorrow never comes
The singer is pessimistic about the future and believes that it will never be better than the present.
A safe night, I'm living in the forest of my dream
The night feels like a refuge or sanctuary for the singer where they can indulge in their fantasies.
I know the night is not as it would seem
The artist realizes that the night can be dangerous or scary as well as beautiful.
I must believe in something, so I'll make myself believe it
The artist acknowledges that they need to have hope or faith in order to get through life.
That this night will never go
The artist wants the night to last forever so they can stay with the person they like.
You take my self, you take my self control
Reinforcement of the idea that the person the singer likes has control over them.
Lyrics © Sugarmusic s.p.a.
Written by: Raffaele Riefoli, Stephen Vincent Piccolo, Giancarlo Bigazzi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rhino
Love the 80s? Check out the 80s Hits Party Playlist 💃🏼🥂🕺🏻 https://lnk.to/80sPartyMusicYC
@Squicx
Next year I hope this is the style of the decade. music to everything
@evamaggard
RHINO Happy New Year 2020 I miss the 80s
@bilimjaryqy3382
Thanks!!! In 2020, I will...
@isatmartin
Por que no lo subieron en 4k???
@Nicolas881985
Remaster 4K Please!!!
@MRSYSTEM96
If you are here from GTA:VC, you have a good taste in video games and music
@Cold987
That's right!
@Indepedentuser
lol. You should get a license drive a real car and listen to this song on the radio just like in that game. doing 70 MPH haha.
@kokoma7931
Ikr bro. This is the most nostalgic song on the radio channels of GTA vc