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.
Take Me
Laura Branigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You finally got around to makin' your move
But when you picked me up, you looked so fairy
I wish we could dispense with the preliminaries
Oh, so much for subtlety
I can't wait for you to get your hands on me
Oh, take me, take me, please
Don't leave me at the door with a good night kiss
It's guys like you can give a girl a complex
I've never been so in love before
I'm not playin' hard to get, that's for sure
Oh, so much formality
I can't wait for you to put your hands on me
Oh, take me, take me, please
Oh, take me, why don't you take me?
Oh, take me, come on, boy
Oh, take me, take me
Oh, don't let me scare you away
It's not like me to come on strong
But love like this just can't be wrong
So I'm gonna make it easy
Oh, take me, take me
Oh, take me, take me
Oh, oh, take me, take me
Oh, take me, come on, take me
It's the holdin' back makes me want you more
I'm not playin' hard to get
Oh, why don't you take me, boy?
Oh, oh, take me, come on, take me
Oh, take me, why don't you take me?
Oh, take me, take me
The lyrics of Laura Branigan's song "Take Me" chronicle the singer's desire for romantic intimacy with someone she has fancied for a long time. She expresses her eagerness to be physically intimate with him and her frustration with the "preliminaries" that sometimes prevent people from acting on their desires. She implores him to take her home and not leave her at the door with just a kiss goodnight, declaring that she has never been so in love before and is not playing hard to get. She insists that her passion is not a passing fancy and makes it clear that she wants them both to be free from inhibitions and to take advantage of the opportunity for romance.
The song is an upbeat and spirited expression of the singer's sexual and romantic yearnings. It is notable for its celebration of female desire and sexual agency, as well as its rejection of traditional gender roles and expectations. By telling her lover to take her and not leave her with empty promises or superficial displays of affection, the singer asserts her need for real love and connection, and her unwillingness to settle for less.
Line by Line Meaning
I fancied you for a very long time
I had feelings for you for a very long time
You finally got around to makin' your move
You finally made a move on me
But when you picked me up, you looked so fairy
You looked extremely attractive when you picked me up
I wish we could dispense with the preliminaries
I want us to skip the formalities and get straight to the point
Oh, so much for subtlety
There's no need to be subtle anymore
I can't wait for you to get your hands on me
I'm excited to be intimate with you
Don't leave me at the door with a good night kiss
Don't just leave me after a good night kiss
It's guys like you can give a girl a complex
Guys like you can make girls feel insecure
I've never been so in love before
I've never felt this deeply in love before
I'm not playin' hard to get, that's for sure
I'm not trying to make it difficult for us to be together
Oh, so much formality
There's too much emphasis on being formal
I can't wait for you to put your hands on me
I'm eager to be intimate with you
Oh, take me, take me, please
Please take me and be intimate with me
Oh, take me, why don't you take me?
Why haven't you taken me yet?
Oh, take me, come on, boy
Come on and take me, I'm ready
Oh, take me, take me
Take me and be intimate with me
Oh, don't let me scare you away
I hope my eagerness doesn't push you away
It's not like me to come on strong
I don't usually act so forward
But love like this just can't be wrong
Our love feels right and can't be wrong
So I'm gonna make it easy
I'll make it easy for us to be together
It's the holdin' back makes me want you more
You holding back is making me want you even more
Oh, why don't you take me, boy?
Please take me, I want to be intimate with you
Oh, oh, take me, come on, take me
Come and take me, I'm ready
Oh, take me, why don't you take me?
Why haven't you taken me yet?
Oh, take me, take me
Take me and be intimate with me
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KIPNER, PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind