She began playing the guitar at the age of five, first being taught the blues by her father in front of the family fire, and has been enthralled by the songs and lyrics of the likes of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, James Taylor and John Mayall ever since. It’s not just the “golden-oldies” that Laura admires; she also harbours a rather deep love for alt.country’s favourite son, Ryan Adams. “He’s brilliant, there’s nothing that even comes close, he can paint the most amazing pictures in your mind.” Ryan Adams in turn had her album 'I Speak Because I Can' given to him by a producer friend. Ryan had written a lot of the material for his forthcoming album 'Ashes and Fire' but upon listening to her album he said; "I actually threw out the record I was writing and re-wrote my record based on that album because I thought to myself somebody's actually taking this very seriously ... It was amazing, a great motivation ... And it felt good to ask: 'What am I really capable of? I felt competitive again to write great songs."
Jamie T personally invited her on tour with him after being impressed by her modern folk-pop when he caught her playing just her second ever gig. Marling is part of the extended Way Out West family, having played five eminent shows at the label’s Brentford FC night before the club was finally moved on, and was also a member of Noah and the Whale until May 2008, contributing vocals and instruments throughout, and seen in the "Five Years Time" video playing recorder.
Following her London Town EP, Marling's debut album Alas I Cannot Swim was released by Virgin on 4th February 2008. Originally released in a large Song Box containing mementos and trinkets personal to the songs, as well as a concert ticket., the album was nominated for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize.
Marling released her second album, I Speak Because I Can, on March 22nd 2010.
The first track from her third album, A Creature I Don't Know, to receive radio airplay was "Sophia." The song is an ode to a mythical deity. (Sophia Songfacts).
Alexandra
Laura Marling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did she make it through
What kind of woman gets to love you?
Wrote us all a little note
Nothing left to lose
What kind of woman gets to love you?
Where did Alexandra go?
Alexandra had no fear
She lived out in the woods
She'd tell you what you're doing wrong
If she thinks she'll be understood
Pulls her socks up to her knees
Finds diamonds in the drain
One more diamond to add to her chain
I need to know
Where does Alexandra go?
Where did Alexandra go?
It won't change how I'm feeling
You can try to help me understand
If she loved you like a woman
Did you feel like a man
I need to know
Where did Alexandra go?
Where did Alexandra go?
You had to say
You feel too bad
You could not bear
Be understood
I had to try
A fuck to give
Why should I die
So you can live
What did Alexandra know?
What did Alexandra know?
What did Alexandra know?
Laura Marling's "Alexandra" is a song about a woman who has seemingly disappeared, but her impression is still felt by those around her. The song begins by questioning what happened to Alexandra and if she made it through whatever she was going through. Marling wonders what kind of woman is able to love the person she is addressing in the song. The line "Wrote us all a little note, nothing left to lose" suggests that Alexandra may have left a message to those who knew her before she vanished.
The song goes on to describe Alexandra as a fearless woman who lived in the woods and had a keen ability to see the flaws in others. She had a particular way of dressing, with her socks pulled up to her knees, and was always on the lookout for diamonds in the drain - a metaphor for finding beauty in the unexpected. Although the person talking in the song is still trying to understand what happened to Alexandra, they acknowledge that knowing her fate won't change how they feel about the person they are addressing.
The final lines of the song seem to be a dialogue between the two people mentioned throughout the song - someone who is trying to understand what happened to Alexandra and the person they are addressing. The listener can infer that the person talking in the song is frustrated with their lack of understanding, and the addressed person is feeling guilty for not being able to bear their own pain. The repetition of the line "What did Alexandra know?" suggests that Alexandra had some wisdom or knowledge that could provide answers to the questions posed in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
What became of Alexandra
The singer wonders what happened to Alexandra and how she fared
Did she make it through
The singer is unsure if Alexandra made it through a difficult situation
What kind of woman gets to love you?
The singer questions what kind of woman is worthy of loving someone
Wrote us all a little note
Alexandra left a note for the people she knew
Nothing left to lose
Alexandra had nothing left that mattered to her
I need to know
The singer expresses a need to know about Alexandra's fate
Where did Alexandra go?
The singer wants to know where Alexandra went
Alexandra had no fear
Alexandra was a fearless individual
She lived out in the woods
Alexandra lived in a secluded area surrounded by nature
She'd tell you what you're doing wrong
Alexandra was confident in her opinions and would let others know when they were wrong
If she thinks she'll be understood
Alexandra only expressed her opinions if she thought they would be understood
Pulls her socks up to her knees
Alexandra has a specific way of dressing
Finds diamonds in the drain
Alexandra has a unique perspective and can find value in unlikely places
One more diamond to add to her chain
Alexandra has a collection of valuable things that she adds to
It won't change how I'm feeling
The singer acknowledges that knowing Alexandra's fate won't change how they feel
You can try to help me understand
The artist is open to others' attempts to help them understand
If she loved you like a woman
The artist questions if a certain type of love differs based on gender
Did you feel like a man
The singer questions if the recipient of the love felt masculine and strong
You had to say
A person mentioned something
You feel too bad
The person mentioned they feel very bad
You could not bear
The person cannot tolerate something
Be understood
The person cannot understand the situation
I had to try
The singer attempted something
A fuck to give
The artist expresses not caring about the outcome
Why should I die
The singer questions why they should suffer
So you can live
The singer feels like they are sacrificing themselves for someone else's benefit
What did Alexandra know?
The singer wonders what knowledge or beliefs Alexandra had
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Laura Marling
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brett Smith-Daniels
This is such a brilliant song. Reminds me of Joni Mitchell and the late 60's recording style is amazing... Music was at its best when recorded in this raw and real way. So glad there are artists like Laura still creating organic sounding music. I love the album!
Foogou Films
I agree, plus I notice some of her vocal phrasing reminds me of Gerry Rafferty at times in this song.
Aleksandra Ognanoska
All I know is that Alexandra came here to listen to this masterpiece. 🧡
Alexandra Farnham-finch
I did x
13 STORIES Buffalo, NY
The chords in this song sound like an invention and the vocals are ancient. This song crushes me!
Luanna
I'm so in love with the entire album, but this one is in my top 5 for sure.
Ricardo Broado
I absolutely ADORE this whole album! Her voice enchants me. I could cry every time I listen to it! ♥️♥️
Cameron _
2nd after the title track for me
mike wray
this is an amazing, well written song , she is very talented .
Charalampos Sakatis
Such purity of soul is long gone... Bravo! this is an excellent song.