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.
With Every Beat Of My Heart
Laura Branigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see your face in each shadow on the street below me
And as I hear the hard rain falling
I wonder will you be calling, do you still want to hold me?
I think will you turn away?
Do you want to say it's over?
Will you really come?
Is it easy to see, that every time you touch me
With every beat of my heart, there's thunder inside
Every beat of my heart, I need you tonight
Every beat of my heart, I'm reachin' for you
I need you now, with every beat of my heart
As I lay down in this dark room
I hear your voice like a soft tune, echo all around me
And as I feel the cold wind blowing
I wonder will you be showing, or forget you ever found me?
I think will you turn away?
Do you want to say it's over?
Will you really come?
Was it just for fun, I wonder
Is it easy to see, that every time you touch me
With every beat of my heart, there's thunder inside
Every beat of my heart, I need you tonight
Every beat of my heart, I'm reachin' for you
I need you now, with every beat of my heart
With every beat of my heart, there's thunder inside
Every beat of my heart, I need you tonight
Every beat of my heart, I'm reachin' for you
I need you now, with every beat of my heart
With every beat of my heart, with every beat of my heart
Every beat of my heart, oh, every beat of my heart
Every beat of my heart, deep inside of me something's died, oh
Every beat of my heart, every beat of my heart, oh,
Every beat of my heart, every beat of my heart
Something's died in me, deep inside of me...[fade out]
The lyrics of Laura Branigan's song "With Every Beat of My Heart" express the singer's longing and uncertainty about a former lover. The song begins with the singer looking out of her window and seeing her lover's face in each shadow on the street below. She wonders if he still wants to hold her and if he will call her back. The hard rain falling could symbolize the difficulty of the situation, and the singer is left in doubt about whether the former lover still cares.
As the song continues, the singer lies down in a dark room, and the lover's voice echoes around her like a soft tune. The cold wind blowing suggests that the lover is distant, and the singer wonders if he will show up or forget that he ever found her. The repetition of the same questions - will he turn away, is it really over, was it just for fun - suggests that the singer is struggling to understand the situation and the former lover's intentions.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the weight of the singer's feelings: "With every beat of my heart, there's thunder inside... I need you now, with every beat of my heart." The repetition also shows that the singer's longing is constant, no matter where she is or what she's doing. The final line of the song, "Something's died in me, deep inside of me," suggests that the singer's heartbreak is so profound that it has affected her very being.
Overall, "With Every Beat of My Heart" is a powerful ballad about the intensity of love and the pain of heartbreak. The lyrics capture the uncertainty and longing of a relationship that may or may not be over, and the repetition of the chorus drives home the singer's intense desire for her former lover.
Line by Line Meaning
As I look out of my window
I see your face in each shadow on the street below me.
And as I hear the hard rain falling
I wonder will you be calling, do you still want to hold me?
I think will you turn away?
Do you want to say it's over?
Will you really come?
Was it just for fun, I wonder?
Is it easy to see, that every time you touch me
With every beat of my heart, there's thunder inside.
As I lay down in this dark room
I hear your voice like a soft tune, echo all around me.
And as I feel the cold wind blowing
I wonder will you be showing, or forget you ever found me?
With every beat of my heart, there's thunder inside
Deep inside of me, something's died.
Every beat of my heart, I need you tonight
Every beat of my heart, I'm reachin' for you
I need you now, with every beat of my heart
Something's died in me, deep inside of me...[fade out]
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KALETH, MITCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@agnesbanda4392
I have been searching for this amazing song for years, powerful song
@katherinasheehan9590
This is one of my favorite songs from Laura. She was a phenomenal singer that felt every song she sang. You can hear the cry in her voice. Also, her voice was golden like no other artist around today. Her voice sounded good live too. And this is what true talent is, not when you need help to improve your voice in the studio. She is truly missed. She inspired me again to write and sing again. RIP angel.
@17thUnicorn
Great hit!!
@ferencnagy1313
I think this song was her top song.
She was amazing artist.
RIP
@rhymeandreasoning
This album is HELLA GOOD. I had this album in the 1980s. I liked it then, but have rediscovered it in the last few months, and I have become really hooked on this album.
@janetmiller2980
Not sure what brought this song to mind yesterday. It is a very powerful song.
That album was a favorite of mine in the summer of 84, a more innocent time for me, volunteering in a local hospital and returning home to watch Retton/Szabo in the L A Olympics.
It’s still a wonderful album. Rest In Peace, Laura.
@marksocha9113
one of my favorite songs from the album. I always thought it should have made it big on the charts.
@awm8221
It has a fantastic introduction!
@aamirafzal3992
it brrings so many tears that Laura is no more ....what a beautiful singer she was...what a voice... so many hit songs to her name.... my one of the all time favorite singers.....I always feel so captivated by her voice.....maybe words would come short to describe the power and brilliance of laura.
@zepa51
I love this song!! I love laura Branigan!! My favorite singer!