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.
let me in
Laura Branigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I look through the window
Wondering what it's like to be sleeping on the outside
Watch me take a picture of the place that I grew up in
Sorry mister, thought you look like someones I remember
Someone I remember
Look at him still walking
If I try to talk to him I wonder if he'll know me
See man say "Hey baby" won't you take a ride in my car
Maybe you can show me how we lost what we believe in
Just let me stay here
I'm running from I don't know
Just let me stay here the night
I won't hurt you
Don't stop me
Just let me stay a while
Just let me stay here for life
I know it's been a while and the years have been unfaithful
Is there nothing left of me that even looks familiar
Everything that was easy when we thought we had the answer
Why you looking at me like I'm from another planet
Just let me stay here
I'm running from I don't know
Just let me stay here the night
I won't hurt you
Don't stop me
Just let me stay a while
Just let me stay here for life
My lo say no
May you can let me in
In Laura Branigan's song "Let Me In", she portrays a sense of nostalgia and longing for familiarity. While driving through the city, she feels like an outsider, wondering what it would be like to be sleeping on the outside of the world she's familiar with. She takes a picture of the place she grew up in and apologizes to a stranger who she thought looked like someone she remembers.
As she continues to observe her surroundings, she sees a man walking confidently, like he knows he's being watched. She wonders if he'll recognize her if she tries to talk to him. Then a man approaches her and asks her to take a ride in his car, saying, "Maybe you can show me how we lost what we believe in." She feels lost and unsure of what she's running from but pleads for him to let her stay, even if just for the night.
Throughout the rest of the song, Branigan continues to express her longing for familiarity and comfort, feeling like she's from another planet when people give her strange looks. She begs for someone to let her in and hold onto that feeling for life.
Overall, "Let Me In" is a song about feeling lost and disconnected from one's surroundings and yearning for connection and familiarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving through the city
Travelling through the city in my car
As I look through the window
Looking out of the car window
Wondering what it's like to be sleeping on the outside
Curious about how it feels to be homeless or without shelter
Watch me take a picture of the place that I grew up in
Taking a photo of my childhood home
Sorry mister, thought you look like someones I remember
Apologizing to a stranger because I mistook them for someone I know
Someone I remember
Thinking about someone from my past
Look at him still walking
Observing a man who is walking by
Like he knows somebody's watching
He seems aware that he is being watched
If I try to talk to him I wonder if he'll know me
Wondering if the man walking by will recognize me if I speak to him
See man say "Hey baby" won't you take a ride in my car
A man asking me if I want to go for a ride in his car
Maybe you can show me how we lost what we believe in
Possibly hoping that the man can help me understand how we lost track of our core beliefs
Just let me stay here
Pleading with someone to let me stay
I'm running from I don't know
I don't know what I'm running from, but I need to stay
Just let me stay here the night
Asking for permission to stay for the night
I won't hurt you
Reassuring the person that I won't cause any harm
Don't stop me
Urging the person not to stop me from staying
Just let me stay a while
Requesting the opportunity to stay for a bit
Just let me stay here for life
Asking to stay permanently
I know it's been a while and the years have been unfaithful
Acknowledging that years have passed and things may have changed
Is there nothing left of me that even looks familiar
Feeling like I've changed so much that nobody recognizes me
Everything that was easy when we thought we had the answer
Reflecting on how things were simpler when we had all the answers
Why you looking at me like I'm from another planet
Feeling judged or misunderstood by someone
My lo say no
Saying a loved one is telling me no, perhaps to the request to stay
May you can let me in
Asking if they will let me come in anyway
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dennis Matkosky, Paul Howard Gordon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind