All she needed were some stories to tell. But Pleasantville just didn't provide the proper inspiration. At 21 years old, Laura Dawn packed her bags and moved to New York City Believer is the soundtrack to her roller coaster life of the next few years. "I showed up in New York, straight from Iowa, with almost no money and not knowing a single soul. I started out living at the Lexington Avenue YMCA, and then graduated to a lower East Side squat on 13th St., where I was sleeping on a board on top of my suitcases. And within a couple of years, I'd become the singer in an all-girl art-punk band that ended up being a toast of the town for a while. We were going to all these decadent parties, drinking a lot, doing drugs for the first time. Hell, in Pleasantville, Iowa, the heaviest drug I'd ever seen was Budweiser! And now I'd gotten involved in this crazy scene. It was fun at first, but after a while, I really lost my way. I had to deal with some very intense personal trials--some serious heartbreak, a very close friend dying--and it just threw this life I was living into a new light. By the time that band broke up I felt so far away from the person I was when I came to New York in the first place, the one who wanted to be a real artist. So I just started writing, by myself, for the first time. I wrote so many songs, 50 or so. I had so many stories to tell from all those years of wrong turns and poverty and mayhem, trying to make it in New York City. And writing those songs saved me. I felt like I found myself again. I called my album Believer because I emerged with a faith that there had to be some purpose to my life, that there was some future ahead I couldn't possibly foresee that would explain everything."
Of course, her future was to take those amazing songs and bring them to the world. Laura began playing out with her powerful new material, and record labels immediately took notice. Within a few months of her first solo show, she'd landed a deal with Extasy Records International and began working on the album that was to become Believer—a collection of songs illustrating her early years in New York City. “I was very young, very independent and fearless, and very, very green,” Laura admits. "Let's just say I got into plenty of trouble, and sometimes didn't know how to get myself out it."
From the sexy punk edge of "Delicious," to the timeless, melancholy pop of "Useless in L.A., " to the innovative, gothic hard rock of the title track, Believer is an eclectic musical journey, brought together by Laura Dawn's consummate auteur songwriting and unique, infectious vocals. "People have told me I sound like a cross between Kim Deal and Dusty Springfield," says Laura, of a voice that goes from a breathy purr to a soulful wail. The album's sonic landscape is rich and varied, fusing rock guitar, bass and drum sounds with ethereal effects, drum loops, and textural instruments like electric cello and piano.
"I was inspired, in part, by Moby's Animal Rights," says Laura. "I wanted to make a pop album that was extreme, that could go from the most beautiful, sparse love song to the most solid, traditional pop songwriting, and then on to the most pounding punk rock. In a way, it's kind of a woman's version of emo-core. We worked very hard to keep it intimate and real, yet when it came time to blow your head off-well, I think some tracks rock very, very hard."
Laura enlisted producer Ted Niceley (Fugazi, Shudder to Think, Girls Against Boys), and a varied group of musicians, including legendary Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson, drummers Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, The Vandals), Kevin March (Shudder to Think, Dambuilders), and guitarist Richard Fortus (Psychedelic Furs, BT, Love Spit Love), to work on the LP. Laura also had the chance to work with Yoshiki (Extasy Records CEO and President and former leader of the legendary Japanese rock group, X-Japan), who produced his favorite track "I Would," the album's lead single (written by Laura and Linus of Hollywood).
"In the best of all possible worlds," says Laura, "people will hear this album and realize that a woman can be sexy, smart, funny, vulnerable, foolish and bad-ass - sometimes, all at once. The song "Believer" kind of says it all for me, in a way. Being a believer, keeping the faith that there's purpose to your life, is certainly a double-edged sword. Faith is sexy, it's silly, it's moving and real and elusive. But it can be dangerous and destructive if it's not tempered with some experience and wisdom. I guess the main thing I learned from all my adventures is that sometimes it's important to just keep going on, whether you can find a reason to or not. No matter what life throws you, you gotta stay a believer, you know? We need more of them."
Useless in L.A.
Laura Dawn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that hung on every syllable you said
and it was me
that threw a fully loaded book straight at your head
but you gotta hold on
to the things you love
and ignore what they feed
yeah, ya gotta hold on
of all their deeds
and it's useless in l.a.
no one's been forgiven yet
and if i knew what to say
then i'd say it
and you'd somehow forget
it was me
that warned you 'bout the point of no return
and it was me
that stared in fascination while you burned
but you gotta hold on
to the things you love
and ignore what they feed
yeah, ya gotta hold on
cause no one's quite the sum
of all their deeds
and it's useless in l.a.
no one's been forgiven yet
and if i knew what to say
then i'd say it
and you'd somehow forget
and if i knew what to say
then i'd say it
and you'd somehow forget
but you gotta hold on
don't let your head get damaged by this scene
yeah, ya gotta hold on
cause no one's quite the sum of all their deeds
and it's useless in l.a.
no one's been forgiven yet
and if i knew what to say then i'd say it
and you'd somehow forget
the difference between what i do
and what i mean
and if i knew what to say
then i'd say it
and we could get away clean
we could get away clean
we could get away clean
The song "Useless in L.A." by Laura Dawn is a poignant reflection on love, forgiveness, and the struggles of living in a place like Los Angeles where no one seems to be able to escape their past. The first verse captures the singer's intense fascination with someone else - someone who they hung on every word of, even while fighting a temptation to throw a book at their head. This push-pull dynamic reflects the complexities of human relationships - how we can be simultaneously drawn to and frustrated by the people we care about.
The second verse echoes this sentiment, with the singer warning the other person about the "point of no return" and yet being unable to look away as they burn. Again, we see the contradictory nature of love - how it can inspire us to seek to protect those we care about and yet also make us feel helpless in the face of their struggles. The chorus drives home the sense of futility in the city of LA, where no one seems to be able to move past their mistakes and find true forgiveness. The repeated refrain of "if I knew what to say then I'd say it / and you'd somehow forget" further underscores the idea that language and communication are often insufficient tools for healing.
In the final verse, the singer exhorts the other person to hold on to what they love and not let the superficiality of LA damage them, while acknowledging the gap between what people do and what they mean. The song ends on a note of hope - "we could get away clean" - that suggests that despite all the struggles, the human spirit is resilient and capable of change.
Line by Line Meaning
it was me
I was the one who did something in this situation
that hung on every syllable you said
I paid close attention to everything you said
that threw a fully loaded book straight at your head
I was upset and threw a book at you
but you gotta hold on
You need to stay strong
to the things you love
Focus on the things that matter to you
and ignore what they feed
Don't let others influence you with their negativity
yeah, ya gotta hold on
You really need to stay strong
cause no one's quite the sum
No one can be judged solely on their actions
of all their deeds
All of the things they have done in their life
and it's useless in l.a.
It's hopeless in Los Angeles
no one's been forgiven yet
People are still bearing grudges
and if i knew what to say
If I had the right words to say
then i'd say it
I would say those words
and you'd somehow forget
You would somehow forget about the situation
that warned you 'bout the point of no return
I cautioned you about going too far
that stared in fascination while you burned
I watched in curiosity as something negative happened to you
don't let your head get damaged by this scene
Don't let this situation affect you mentally
the difference between what i do
The contrast between my actions
and what i mean
And what I actually want to convey
and we could get away clean
We could leave this situation behind without any negative effects
we could get away clean
We could leave without any repercussions
we could get away clean
We could depart without any consequences
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
F. D. R. / F. D. R.
When you have stars as Vanna & Pat with all the accolades they've created it's undisputed
any team following these two winners will be hard to beat. After more than 30 years fans
can't help but rate the new host & co-host. There's no doubt that the show has been and
certainly is a huge success then isn't it time to move on. All writers and creators of many
successful shows have seen their triumphs come and go. So... doesn't it make a certain
amount of sense to just let go? Show people behind the scenes earn big paychecks too.
For the big money that's paid it's just time to get together put thinking caps in place and
be big time creative once again. No modern short cuts. The making of an award winning
game show or any show for that matter requires no short cuts. All details that were used
in the making of a 30 show was just that, 30 years ago. Just follow the floor plans of the
best of the best as Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and other winners had and earn those
gorgeous salaries. No fluff. It has to be a work of art to follow the best it has to be the
best. Anything second rate will cost you sponsors and some salaries. It is clearly
understandable there is no crystal ball as to what will and what will not succeed. But hey
it could be with serious and too not so serious focusing the better than best is in your
future and the future of the viewers. Then history can and will repeat itself.
Anthony Freeman
Pat & Vanna have been a much loved & appreciated couple of host for WOF. I love the show. I remember seeing Vanna come through the show’s curtain when she first joined the show. I have loved her ever since.
Joseph Joe
I don't want them to leave because they are what makes the show so great and beloved
salsaghoul688
Vanna White has been my favorite celebrity since i was a kid. I watched it in m early years on tv. It's hard for me to believe why they would leave the show considering that their contract expires this year. i just hope they stay on the show cause i'm actually their biggest fan and i'm an expert puzzle solver. It's really unfair that they both would want to leave the show for whatever reason. i would love to get to know Vanna in person. Then again she might try hosting the price is right considering that she was on that show back in 1980. Any thoughts on this?
Rebelmacdaddy07
Vanna White has been my favorite celebrity since i was a kid. I watched it in m early years on tv. It's hard for me to believe why they would leave the show considering that their contract expires this year. i just hope they stay on the show cause i'm actually their biggest fan and i'm an expert puzzle solver. It's really unfair that they both would want to leave the show for whatever reason. i would love to get to know them in person. Then again she might try hosting the price is right considering that she was on that show back in 1980 and it would be my ultimate dream of hosting WOF!
Joe Scott
No one can replace them. They have become American icons. Without them the show will experience a major dw turn. It is due to their level of skill at entertaining.
Rick King
The only reason the show would experience a major down turn is because people would miss them as they have been doing it forever. It has nothing to do with skill. Anyone can do what they do.
F. D. R. / F. D. R.
When you have stars as Vanna & Pat with all the accolades they've created it's undisputed
any team following these two winners will be hard to beat. After more than 30 years fans
can't help but rate the new host & co-host. There's no doubt that the show has been and
certainly is a huge success then isn't it time to move on. All writers and creators of many
successful shows have seen their triumphs come and go. So... doesn't it make a certain
amount of sense to just let go? Show people behind the scenes earn big paychecks too.
For the big money that's paid it's just time to get together put thinking caps in place and
be big time creative once again. No modern short cuts. The making of an award winning
game show or any show for that matter requires no short cuts. All details that were used
in the making of a 30 show was just that, 30 years ago. Just follow the floor plans of the
best of the best as Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and other winners had and earn those
gorgeous salaries. No fluff. It has to be a work of art to follow the best it has to be the
best. Anything second rate will cost you sponsors and some salaries. It is clearly
understandable there is no crystal ball as to what will and what will not succeed. But hey
it could be with serious and too not so serious focusing the better than best is in your
future and the future of the viewers. Then history can and will repeat itself.
My Cat Alby
No one could take their place. It wouldn’t be the same with someone else. 💜
Maurice Rivers
They said the same about "The Price Is Right", and look what happened: it's still going. There's no denying that they will be missed, but the the franchise is far bigger than them and WILL continue when they're gone.
Plant Based
Vanna is never leaving. She's made a fortune on "Wheel Of Fortune."