Jansen was so close to giving it up before she even began. But a year after deciding to give music a try she tried to make waves with advance copies of her EP Trauma (released summer 2006). June 12, 2009, she released her second EP, Bells, featuring single Single Girls, accompanied by a music video.
In the U.S., Jansen is a fixture in the constellation of artists associated with Los Angeles nightclub The Hotel Café — a musical haven, creative incubator, and ultimately, national launching pad for such confessional-minded artists as Sara Bareilles, Priscilla Ahn, and Joshua Radin, whom Jansen toured with in 2008 and in 2011. Jansen’s songs were used in various television shows on MTV and ABC.
Jansen, being half American, half Dutch, was invited to The Netherlands in 2009 for a series of appearances, which led to her signing with Universal Music. Debut album Bells (composed of Jansen’s two previously released EP’s 2007’s Trauma and 2009’s Single Girls, plus “Use Somebody”), has already gone platinum in Jansen’s native Holland and reached a #1 position on iTunes. Propelled by “Single Girls” and a stunning cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” which has spent more than 6 months lodged in the Top 25 on the Dutch singles chart.
Jansen hit the road in Europe with her pal William Fitzsimmons as a member of his band as well as his support act. In 2010 she sold out both headline tours of her own in The Netherlands, after which she toured in Germany, Austria, UK as fans spread the word.
The year 2011 was yet another exciting year, with Jansen’s debut album Bells being released in the US, the rest of Europe and China, with tours set up on these continents as well.
Jansen is currently working on her next album.
Single Girls
Laura Jansen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cut it when you weren't there
And pieces of us everywhere
Were falling down
My bed is now a girl's bed
Pink flowers under my head
And pillows on your side
'Cause that's what single girls do
Don't think about you
I'm reading books on meditation
Praying for my heart's salvation
Oh, I've got the motivation
To be a free girl now
And I've gone drinking with the guy down the hall
Put up a new color on my bare walls
I'm so damn busy
After all
'Cause that's what single girls do
Don't think about you
And I keep trying
I keep trying
To make my way back to the light
Where I belong
But God keeps lying
God keeps lying
Saying this is for the best
And nothing here is wrong
But I’m still thinking ‘bout
I’m still thinking ‘bout
I’m still thinking about you
Still think about you
I think you'd like my new hair
I cut it like I didn't care
The pieces of me everywhere
Were falling down
One more glass of wine
Before I turn off the lights this time
This time I'll be fine
I'll be fine
I'll be fine
I’ll be fine
Oh-oh-ooh
The lyrics of Laura Jansen's Single Girls are about moving on from a past relationship and taking control of one's life as a single person. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer has changed her appearance, specifically her hair, without the presence or input of her former partner. The chorus emphasizes the independence of single life, with the assertion that "that's what single girls do" and the refusal to think about the past relationship or the ex-partner.
The middle verse describes the singer's attempts to improve herself and find meaning and understanding through meditation and prayer. She goes out and socializes with new people, decorates her living space, and keeps herself busy to fill the void left by the absence of her partner. However, the final verse reveals that despite her best efforts and attempts to move on, she is still thinking about the past relationship and struggling to fully let go.
Overall, the song presents a complex and honest picture of the aftermath of a breakup, capturing both the moments of independence and empowerment as well as the ongoing struggle to fully move on and find closure.
Line by Line Meaning
I think you'd like my new hair
I changed my hair and I think you'd approve if you were still here
I cut it when you weren't there
I didn't want you to see me change because you're gone
And pieces of us everywhere
Our memories are scattered everywhere and I can't escape them
Were falling down
I can feel our history crumbling and it's painful
My bed is now a girl's bed
I've made my bed my own, with girly decorations and without you
Pink flowers under my head
I'm trying to create a new, more feminine space for myself
And pillows on your side
I've replaced you with pillows and it almost feels like you're still here
Instead of you
But it's not the same and I'm struggling to adjust
'Cause that's what single girls do
I'm trying to embrace being single and make the most of it
Don't think about you
But I can't stop thinking about you
I'm reading books on meditation
I'm trying to find peace within myself and let go of my attachment to you
Praying for my heart's salvation
I'm hoping that through prayer and introspection, I can heal from this heartbreak
Oh, I've got the motivation
I'm motivated to become a stronger, more independent person
To be a free girl now
And live my life on my own terms
And I've gone drinking with the guy down the hall
I'm exploring new social opportunities and trying to put myself out there
Put up a new color on my bare walls
I'm making small changes to my environment to try and shake off the past
I'm so damn busy
I'm trying to keep myself busy and distracted from my thoughts of you
After all
But it's not really working and I'm still struggling
And I keep trying
I'm doing my best to move on from you
I keep trying
Even though it's hard and I still think about you constantly
To make my way back to the light
I want to find happiness and leave our past behind
Where I belong
But it's difficult to know what my new place in the world is without you
But God keeps lying
I keep trying to convince myself that everything happens for a reason, but it's not always convincing
God keeps lying
Sometimes it seems like the universe is conspiring against me
Saying this is for the best
Telling me that breaking up with you was what was meant to be
And nothing here is wrong
But I can't help feeling like something is missing without you
But I'm still thinking 'bout
I'm still caught up in thoughts of you
I'm still thinking 'bout
And I can't seem to shake them off
I'm still thinking about you
No matter how hard I try, you're still on my mind
One more glass of wine
I'm using alcohol to numb the pain and help me forget
Before I turn off the lights this time
Before I go to bed alone again
This time I'll be fine
I'm hopeful that I'll eventually be able to move on and be happy without you
I'll be fine
But it's not a guarantee and it's still hard
I'll be fine
I'll keep trying anyway
I’ll be fine
Even if it means going through more pain
Oh-oh-ooh
Even though it's hard
Contributed by Jake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
selenya
This song is gorgeous and makes me cry every time. Such a true and sweet song. The video is amazing.
Nina Anthonijsz
this will always be my favorite Laura song. the video is awesome too.
Ueli Ryf
Heard this song today on the radio for the very first time! Had to look it up on youtube....... already become a big fan of this girl! Super sweet singer, marvellous lyrics and melody - fantastic song!!!
krystle2430
Love this song!
Yvette Janssen
One of the best break-up songs ever.
Kawan
Hi
Engelina77
Ontzettend mee eens. 😓
Zack Pierce
Hello my name is zack pierce I am looking for a girlfriend
BiBa
I love this song.......I can't stop playing it
Sianna53
Wow! Great songwriting ... and love the video - simply stated.