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).
Blackberry Stone
Laura Marling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I wrote this sky
And I have no reason, to reason with you
I'd be sad that I never held your hand as you were lowered
But I'd understand that I'd never let it go
I'd be sad that I never held your hand as you were lowered
But I'd understand that the world does what it does
And you never did learn to let the little things go
And you never did learn to let me be
And you never did learn to let little people grow
And you never did learn how to see
But I whisper that I love this man
Now and for forever to your soul as it floats out of the window
To the world that you turned your back on
To the world that never really let you be
And I am Laura now, and Laura still
And you did always say that one day I would suffer
You did always say that people get their pay
You did always say that I was going places
And that you wouldn't have it any other way
But I couldn't turn my back on a world for what I like, wouldn't let me
But I couldn't turn my back on a world for what I like, I needed
And I couldn't turn my back on a world for what I like, wouldn't let me
And I couldn't turn my back on a world for what I like, I needed
And I shouldn't turn my back on the sweet smelling blackberry stone
Laura Marling's song Blackberry Stone tells a story about a complicated relationship and the inevitability of death. The lyrics suggest that the singer has ownership over the field and the sky, perhaps indicating a sense of control over their surroundings, but when it comes to human relationships, there is no such control. The singer admits to feeling sad about not holding someone's hand as they were lowered, presumably into a grave. However, they also understand that death is a natural part of life, and they must accept what the world does.
The song appears to be directed towards someone who never learned to let go of things and people, who never learned how to see the world properly. The singer whispers, "I love this man now and forever," to the departing soul, which suggests they still feel significant attachment to this person. However, they also acknowledge that the world didn't really let this person be, and they turned their back on it. The singer identifies herself as Laura, possibly indicating that this song is autobiographical.
The final stanza speaks to the singer's struggles with the world and how they wouldn't turn their back on it for their individual desires. The sweet smelling blackberry stone is a metaphor for what they're fighting against; they shouldn't let the ways of the world keep them from what they want. In essence, Blackberry Stone is a tale of acceptance and letting go, balanced against the strength to fight for one's own dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I, own this field
I have complete control and ownership over this land
And I wrote this sky
I have complete creative power to shape the world around me
And I have no reason, to reason with you
I don't have to justify or explain my choices to anyone else
I'd be sad that I never held your hand as you were lowered
I would regret not being physically present for your passing
But I'd understand that I'd never let it go
I would hold onto my grief even if it's painful
But I'd understand that the world does what it does
I accept that things are outside of my control
And you never did learn to let the little things go
You struggled to let small issues roll off your shoulders
And you never did learn to let me be
You had a hard time accepting me for who I am
And you never did learn to let little people grow
You didn't appreciate or validate the growth and accomplishments of others
And you never did learn how to see
You couldn't recognize the beauty or value in life's small details
But I whisper that I love this man
I express my love for this person quietly and tenderly
Now and for forever to your soul as it floats out of the window
I continue to love this person even as they pass away and leave this world
To the world that you turned your back on
The world that someone chose to ignore or abandon
To the world that never really let you be
The world that someone felt was rejecting or not accepting of them
And I am Laura now, and Laura still
I remain true to myself even as I change and grow
And you did always say that one day I would suffer
Someone predicted that I would experience pain or hardship at some point in my life
You did always say that people get their pay
Someone believed that people inevitably face the consequences of their actions
You did always say that I was going places
Someone saw potential and success in me
And that you wouldn't have it any other way
Someone was proud of my achievements and wouldn't want things to be different
But I couldn't turn my back on a world for what I like, wouldn't let me
I couldn't abandon everything and everyone for my own desires or pleasures
But I couldn't turn my back on a world for what I like, I needed
I had important priorities and obligations that I couldn't ignore
And I shouldn't turn my back on the sweet smelling blackberry stone
I should appreciate and cherish the simple pleasures in life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAURA BEATRICE MARLING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Annika Block
This is the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard
Ca S
Wow. She is perfection.
QQueenQQful
Perfection indeed
pospolitazuzanna
@CammyS12342 i couldn't agree more :)