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.
Shattered Glass
Laura Branigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You broke it up and you made it bad
I'm not the kind who can take it alone
I've got nothing more for you
I want somebody who needs me too
I've given up, boy
I'm chasing my joy
And you can make your own
Go out and have your fun
"'cause my time will come
You can shatter glass
With your heart of stone
But you won't get far on your own
You keep running hot and blowing cold
And everything you hold
Just falls apart like shattered glass
It really doesn't matter to me
Where you're going and who you see
I know that I can make it this time
It doesn't matter any more
Since you've gone and walked out that door
I made a new start
I found a true heart
I'm gonna make it mine
You're not the only one
Go out and have your fun
'cause my time will come
You can shatter glass
With your heart of stone
But you won't get far on your own
You keep running hot and blowing cold
And everything you hold
Just falls apart like shattered glass
You can shatter glass
With your heart of stone
But you won't get far on your own
You keep running hot and blowing cold
And everything you hold
Just falls apart like shattered glass
In Laura Branigan's song "Shattered Glass," the singer addresses a former lover who has broken her heart with their indecision and unwillingness to commit fully to the relationship. The singer admits that she gave everything she had to this person, but they only broke her down and made her feel alone. She knows that she cannot take the pain anymore and needs someone who will love and need her equally. She resigns herself to the fact that the person she was with was not the only one for her, and she can find happiness with someone who truly appreciates and values her. The singer acknowledges that the person she was with has a heart of stone and can shatter glass with it, a metaphor for their destructive nature. However, the singer is not afraid to let them go and move on because she knows that eventually, her time will come, and she will find the happiness she deserves.
The themes in "Shattered Glass" are easily relatable to anyone who has been in a failed relationship. The singer admits to feeling alone and disappointed but ultimately knows that they deserve better. The lyrics also contain a sense of empowerment, as the singer does not allow the actions of this former lover to bring them down or make them feel weak. Instead, they choose to focus on moving forward and finding someone who can provide them with the love and happiness they seek.
Line by Line Meaning
I gave you everything I had
I gave you all that I have, my time and energy.
You broke it up and you made it bad
You destroyed it and made it unpleasant.
I'm not the kind who can take it alone
I require support from others, and cannot do it all by myself.
I've got nothing more for you
I've given all that I could, and have nothing left to offer to you.
I want somebody who needs me too
I'm looking for someone who also requires me in their life.
I've given up, boy
I have surrendered and moved on from the relationship.
I'm chasing my joy
I am pursuing my own happiness and well-being.
And you can make your own
You're free to do whatever you want as well.
You're not the only one
I'm not the only person in the world.
Go out and have your fun
Do whatever makes you happy.
'cause my time will come
My opportunity will also arise.
You can shatter glass
You can cause destruction.
With your heart of stone
Due to your lack of emotions and empathy.
But you won't get far on your own
You will not succeed solely on your own without others.
You keep running hot and blowing cold
You are inconsistent in your behavior and emotions.
And everything you hold
All that you grasp onto.
Just falls apart like shattered glass
Comes crashing down and breaks apart, like glass.
It really doesn't matter to me
It is of no importance or significance to me.
Where you're going and who you see
Your actions and whereabouts are not significant to me.
I know that I can make it this time
I am confident that I can succeed on my own this time.
It doesn't matter any more
It's no longer significant or relevant.
Since you've gone and walked out that door
Since you left and exited the relationship.
I made a new start
I began anew.
I found a true heart
I found someone who truly cares for me.
I'm gonna make it mine
I'm going to take control and make it my own.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BOB MITCHELL, STEVE COE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justmeonthebeach
I gave you everything I had
You broke it up and you made it bad
I'm not the kind who can take it alone
I've got nothing more for you
I want somebody who needs me too
I've given up, boy
I'm chasing my joy
And you can make your own
You're not the only one
Go out and have your fun
"'cause my time will come
You can shatter glass
With your heart of stone
But you won't get far on your own
You keep running hot and blowing cold
And everything you hold
Just falls apart like shattered glass
It really doesn't matter to me
Where you're going and who you see
I know that I can make it this time
It doesn't matter any more
Since you've gone and walked out that door
I made a new start
I found a true heart
I'm gonna make it mine
You're not the only one
Go out and have your fun
'cause my time will come
You can shatter glass
With your heart of stone
But you won't get far on your own
You keep running hot and blowing cold
And everything you hold
Just falls apart like shattered glass
You can shatter glass
With your heart of stone
But you won't get far on your own
You keep running hot and blowing cold
And everything you hold
Just falls apart like shattered glass
@hossfrombonanza
I’ve been searching for this song for 32 f***n’ years. I’m in tears.
@dc7827
Listen to Ellie Warren’s version, it’s fabulous! X
@garryl7639
If you like this I was the same 30 years looking for a song try lucky by Ellie hope
@balcondecelorio
Great song
@TheProfessional15
Fuckingly great
@angelbl4452
So, you found it ... enjoy it and be happy
@davidandersen1053
This was produced by British hit makers Stock, Aitken & Waterman 🔊📻🔊
I wish Laura did an entire album with them👍
@scottpaquin9709
Laura Branigan was in my opinion a underated singer. She had such an incredible voice and really should have been marketed better.
@MrCraigblaze
Yes she should.. XD
@mattfisher694
Yes very underated such a beautiful passionate and powerful voice that sadly for the most part, fell upon death ears. I thought she was very talented and beautiful. Sadly taken far too soon too.