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.
Shadow of Love
Laura Branigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rainin' down as cold as ice
The air that we breathe
Is all we share between us
Wearing the scars
Deep inside our desert hearts
Tell me where did it go
Why did love ever leave us
As I remember the look of the broken hearted
Never thought I'd be one of their own
We're standing in a shadow forever
Her shadow's in the way of our love
What should have been forgotten
Forever more
The shadow of what was
Now I'm the one who loves you
But I know we can't hide we can't run
From the shadow she casts on the night
The shadow of love
I want to believe everything that I can't see
But the truth always lies somewhere in between us
I can't help what I feel in the night
Thoughts disturbing the sleep of our innocent lives
Will these dreams ever leave us alone
We're standing in the shadow forever
Her shadow's in the way of our love
What should have been forgotten
Forever more
The shadow of what was
Now I'm the one who loves you
But I know we can't hide we can't run
From the shadow she casts on the night
The shadow of love
I want to know I'll always be
All alone with you
I'm the only one
But long before we ever were
You belonged to her
And she still isn't gone...
Now I'm the one who loves you
But I know we can't hide we can't run
We're standing in the shadow forever
Her shadow's in the way of our love
What should have been forgotten
Forever more
The shadow of what was...
The lyrics to Laura Branigan's song "Shadow of Love" speak to the idea of being trapped in the past with memories of a love that no longer exists. The song starts with a depiction of a cold and distant feeling between two people who are connected only by the air they breathe. The scars they have from past relationships are embedded deep within and are signs of emotional trauma that continue to haunt them. The singer is lamenting the loss of a love that they never thought they would lose, yet they find themselves caught in the shadow of what was.
The line, "What should have been forgotten forever more," suggests that the hopelessness of the situation has taken hold of their lives, and they have resigned themselves to the fact that this love will never be realized. They fear that they will never get over the memories that continue to burn into their eyes, and they are afraid of being the next "broken-hearted." The shadow that haunts them is from a past love that has moved on, yet still looms over their current relationship. In the end, the lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and sadness that is common to those who have experienced the shadow of a past relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel it tonight
Sensing it tonight
Rainin' down as cold as ice
Falling heavily, frigid as frozen water
The air that we breathe
The atmosphere we inhale
Is all we share between us
It is the only thing we have in common
Wearing the scars
Bearing wounds from the past
Deep inside our desert hearts
Within our souls that feel barren
Tell me where did it go
Say to me where did it disappear
Why did love ever leave us
What made the affection depart us
Now the memories burn in my eyes
Presently, I reminisce with pain in my sight
As I remember the look of the broken hearted
Recalling the gaze of someone else distressed
Never thought I'd be one of their own
Previously, I thought that would not be my fate
We're standing in a shadow forever
Always hidden in the darkness
Her shadow's in the way of our love
The memory of someone else is hindering our romance
What should have been forgotten
The thing that must have been obliterated from memory
Forever more
Eternally
The shadow of what was
The legacy of what used to be
Now I'm the one who loves you
Currently, I am the one affectionate towards you
But I know we can't hide we can't run
Although we would try, we cannot flee
From the shadow she casts on the night
From the impression she leaves on dark times
The shadow of love
The after-effect of past love
I want to believe everything that I can't see
I long to trust what's beyond my vision
But the truth always lies somewhere in between us
Yet honesty is inevitably concealed between us
I can't help what I feel in the night
I cannot suppress what I sense at night
Thoughts disturbing the sleep of our innocent lives
Ideas interrupting the tranquility of our pure existence
Will these dreams ever leave us alone
Will these illusions ever cease to interfere
I want to know I'll always be
I desire to ascertain that I will perpetually be
All alone with you
Completely solitary with you
I'm the only one
I am the singular individual
But long before we ever were
However, we existed in the long-past
You belonged to her
You were her possession
And she still isn't gone...
Additionally, she still remains present
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLETTE, SUE SHIFRIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind