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.
Spanish Eddie
Laura Branigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There wasn't a lot, so the breaks that you got you know you took
And I remember wonderin' where you'd been
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie fell from grace
On the night that Eddie failed
Sanity prevailed
It was June or July when the heat from above beat down
It was famine or drought when the brothers went out of style uptown
And we was mixin' Vicks with lemon gin
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie made front page
His revolution came of age
He wrote, "Surrender" on the wall
The night he took the fall
I heard someone say, "He's trying to fly"
Like Eddie used to say, "We'll do when we die"
I know someone turned you for a fin
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie fell from grace
There was amazement on his face
On the night that Eddie failed
Sanity prevailed
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in (Spanish Eddie)
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in (Spanish Eddie)
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in (Spanish Eddie)
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The song "Spanish Eddie" by Laura Branigan tells the story of a neighborhood legend named Spanish Eddie, who met an unfortunate end. The lyrics describe the hot summer night when Spanish Eddie died and the chaos that followed. There were cops everywhere, and the singer wonders where Eddie had been before he passed away. The song also references Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row," which was playing on the radio the night Eddie died. The lyrics suggest that Eddie's death may have been drug-related, as the singer mentions mixing Vicks with lemon gin. The chorus repeats the phrase "The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in," reminding us of the significance of this event in the neighborhood's history.
The lyrics also suggest that Eddie was some kind of revolutionary figure. The night that he died, his "revolution came of age," and he wrote the word "Surrender" on the wall. However, his fall was equally significant, as it seemed to bring some sense of sanity to the chaotic environment. The line "On the night that Eddie failed, sanity prevailed" suggests that Eddie's death may have been a turning point for the neighborhood.
Line by Line Meaning
There was heat in the air and cops everywhere you looked
The environment was tense and there was heavy police presence all around
There wasn't a lot, so the breaks that you got you know you took
Opportunities were scarce, so any chance that came along, people grabbed them
And I remember wonderin' where you'd been
The singer was curious about someone's whereabouts
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
Referring to the night when Eddie met his end
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The song 'Desolation Row' was being played on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie fell from grace
This refers to Eddie's downfall
There was amazement on his face
Eddie was surprised by his own fate
On the night that Eddie failed
Referring to the night when Eddie met his end
Sanity prevailed
The situation was resolved in a rational manner
It was June or July when the heat from above beat down
The weather was hot and uncomfortable
It was famine or drought when the brothers went out of style uptown
The time when people were struggling to make ends meet
And we was mixin' Vicks with lemon gin
People were mixing Vicks vapor rub with gin
His revolution came of age
Eddie's cause gained a lot of support
He wrote, "Surrender" on the wall
Eddie wrote the word 'surrender' on a wall, possibly as a message to his opponents
I heard someone say, "He's trying to fly"
An observer commented that Eddie was trying to escape, possibly from his problems
Like Eddie used to say, "We'll do when we die"
Eddie had a philosophy of living life to the fullest because death was inevitable
I know someone turned you for a fin
Someone betrayed Eddie for a five dollar bill
(Spanish Eddie)
A repeated reference to the deceased Eddie
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Charles E. Cochran, David Palmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alanmike6883
@Diego Velasquez
She had a heart and sang with passion.
I'm only rediscovering again after many years.
When I was younger I loved Laura and music in general, then there was a period of two years I didn't listen to music.
I wish this was on radio moreoften.
I could see many people loving her... 👍
@fg2741
[Lyrics]
There was heat in the air and cops everywhere you looked
There wasn't a lot, so the breaks that you got you know you took
And I remember wonderin' where you'd been
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie fell from grace
There was amazement on his face
On the night that Eddie failed
Sanity prevailed
It was June or July when the heat from above beat down
It was famine or drought when the brothers went out of style uptown
And we was mixin' Vicks with lemon gin
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie made front page
His revolution came of age
He wrote, "Surrender" on the wall
The night he took the fall
I heard someone say, "He's trying to fly"
Like Eddie used to say, "We'll do when we die"
I know someone turned you for a fin
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie fell from grace
There was amazement on his face
On the night that Eddie failed
Sanity prevailed
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in (Spanish Eddie)
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in (Spanish Eddie)
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in (Spanish Eddie)
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
@justmeonthebeach
There was heat in the air and cops everywhere you looked
There wasn't a lot, so the breaks that you got you know you took
And I remember wonderin' where you'd been
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie fell from grace
There was amazement on his face
On the night that Eddie failed
Sanity prevailed
It was June or July when the heat from above beat down
It was famine or drought when the brothers went out of style uptown
And we was mixin' Vicks with lemon gin
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie made front page
His revolution came of age
He wrote, "Surrender" on the wall
The night he took the fall
I heard someone say, "He's trying to fly"
Like Eddie used to say, "We'll do when we die"
I know someone turned you for a fin
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie fell from grace
There was amazement on his face
On the night that Eddie failed
Sanity prevailed
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in (Spanish Eddie)
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in (Spanish Eddie)
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in (Spanish Eddie)
They were playing, "Desolation Row" on the radio
The night Spanish Eddie cashed it in
@MultiSilberpfeil
Once upon a time, there were artists who produced quality songs both lyrically and musically. A superior sound that you can never get enough of...! In other words, songs that you can enjoy endlessly...! "Spanish Eddie... " released in 1985 and still popular in 2023. Laura BRANIGAN... pure youth sentiment and American top class...! Sadly you left us far too soon sweetheart, but you will always be in my thoughts. R.I.P. sweetie... ! Beautiful memories of you. Greetings from Belgium (Europe) and Florida (USA).
@mariov1889
J
@jonathanhensley9384
❤
@michelleprie2854
If you're a true 80's Fan, you will just love this powerful song FOREVER!!! 🔥❤🔥
@rebeccaforster2259
So true ❤
@cleytonpoque6086
You´re right!!!!
@jean-pierremuller2169
@sylviadeetlefs1088
Love it🎉😢
@AngeloGabriel-bt6ms
This clip and this song are the face of the 80s, it made me travel back in time.
@scottpaquin9709
I will always love Laura Branigan. What a true talent. She was so incredibly underrated.