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.
Touch
Laura Branigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's something that I really got to say
Let me tell you everything that's on my mind
Don't say no I'll tell you anyway
Sometimes when I see you in a crowded room
I really want to kiss you in the dark
I get the strangest feelings coming over me
Frightening sensations of the heart
I want to run but my feet won't go
I want to move right through the floor
I want to stop but I can't say no
I want to hear you cry for more
Baby let me touch you
Let me get to know you
Baby let me touch you tonight
Baby let me touch you
Let me feel your fingertips
Baby let me touch you tonight
I've been attracted to you for so long
Seems like I've been waiting all my life
And now there's nothing standing in the way of us
We can find what we both really like
I want to stay with you all night long
I want to kiss you on the floor
I want to stop but I can't say no
I want to hear you cry for more
The lyrics to Laura Branigan's song Touch convey a deep longing for physical intimacy with the object of the singer's affection. The singer describes how they've been attracted to this person for a long time and have been waiting for this moment. They express a desire to share everything that's on their mind and to kiss in the dark. Despite feeling frightened sensations in their heart, they can't deny their attraction to this person.
The lyrics also speak to the singer's struggle with their own emotions. They want to run, but their feet won't move, they want to stop but they can't say no, and they hope that the person they desire will cry for more. The lines "Let me feel your fingertips" and "Baby let me touch you tonight" further emphasize the singer's longing for physical closeness.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a person who is brimming with desire, but struggling to express their feelings. The song is a plea for intimacy and a confession of deep, unfulfilled emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you baby what I want to do
I want to express my desires to you.
There's something that I really got to say
I have something important to tell you.
Let me tell you everything that's on my mind
I want to share my thoughts and feelings with you.
Don't say no I'll tell you anyway
Please don't interrupt me, I need to say this.
Sometimes when I see you in a crowded room
At times, when I spot you in a large gathering,
I really want to kiss you in the dark
I feel a strong urge to kiss you in private.
I get the strangest feelings coming over me
I'm experiencing intense emotions inside me.
Frightening sensations of the heart
I feel overwhelmed with fear and excitement.
I want to run but my feet won't go
I feel like running away, but I can't physically move.
I want to move right through the floor
I want to disappear from sight completely.
I want to stop but I can't say no
Although I wish to stop, my desire to continue is stronger.
I want to hear you cry for more
I want you to show your enthusiasm for me.
Baby let me touch you
I want to make contact with you physically.
Let me get to know you
I want to become familiar with your personality.
Baby let me touch you tonight
I want to touch you this evening.
Let me feel your fingertips
I want to touch your fingers and hands with my own.
I've been attracted to you for so long
I have had feelings for you for a considerable time.
Seems like I've been waiting all my life
It feels like I have waited for this moment for eternity.
And now there's nothing standing in the way of us
There are no obstacles inhibiting our connection anymore.
We can find what we both really like
Together, we can explore and discover what we both enjoy.
I want to stay with you all night long
I desire to spend the entire night with you.
I want to kiss you on the floor
I want to kiss you while we're on the floor together.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLETTE, SUE SHIFRIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind