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).
Don't Ask Me Why
Laura Marling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Money is money to share
Don't ask me why and I'll tell you no lies.
Sonny don't come here no more
He don't drink from this well
He's done with the world
And done with the girl
And he tells me no lies
Those of us who are lost and low
I know how you feel
I know it's not right but it's real
But it's real
I don't ask for love
And I don't beg for money
I'm just asking for grace and forgiveness now honey
Don't ask me why
And I'll tell you no lies
Been looking for answers in unsavory places
On the highest of mountains
And the lowest of bases
And I still don't know why
I still don't know why
Those of us wo are lost and low
We know how you feel
We know it's not right but it's real
But it's real
I took the wind from the sea
I took the blood from an arrow
I took the wisdom of spring
And I was thrown and blown and tossed and turned
Until time found its hand
And called it an end
Me and time, we go way back when
I was a child and I always knew it
I knew my name, I knew my road
And I stayed away from heavy loads
And still I am low
Oh lord, am I low
Those of us who are lost and low
We know how you feel
We know it's not right but it's real
But it's real
The lyrics to Laura Marling's "Don't Ask Me Why" tells a story about someone who prefers to stay away from people who believe that money is something that should be shared equally. The singer chooses to disassociate from such people and will not lie if asked why. The line "Sonny don't come here no more" suggests that there was a close relationship that has since ended, and the singer no longer probes why because it's unnecessary. She understands her friend's feelings and values his need to cut ties. The song reassures those who feel lost and low that they are not alone and that their emotions are valid despite being uncomfortable or "not right." The singer concludes that even though she has searched for answers everywhere, she's still at a loss.
The singer also says, "I don't ask for love/And I don't beg for money/I'm just asking for grace and forgiveness now honey/Don't ask me why/And I'll tell you no lies." This line suggests that what the singer needs and wants most is grace and forgiveness, even though she doesn't ask for it directly. She recognizes that forgiveness is hard to ask for or give, but she wants to manifest it to move on.
There's a sense of resignation in the lyrics - the singer acknowledges that she's "throw and blown and tossed and turned until time found its hand/And called it an end." The recurring theme is acceptance; accepting that things end or change, people leave, and that one's feelings, even if uncomfortable, are valid. The song encourages the listener to be patient with themselves, to accept their feelings, and to find comfort in the fact that others understand.
Line by Line Meaning
I choose to stay far away from the ones that think money is money to share
I prefer to keep distance from those who treat money as a commodity to be distributed without any value or worth
Don't ask me why and I'll tell you no lies.
If you don't ask me the reason, I won't deceive you with lies
Sonny don't come here no more, He don't drink from this well, He's done with the world, And done with the girl, And I don't ask him why, And he tells me no lies
Sonny is no longer around, he doesn't take any help, he's disassociated with both his surroundings and his love, and I don't question him, nor he hides any truth from me.
Those of us who are lost and low, I know how you feel, I know it's not right but it's real, But it's real
People like us, who are misguided or fallen, I empathize with you, and though it's not virtuous, it is what it is
I don't ask for love, And I don't beg for money, I'm just asking for grace and forgiveness now honey, Don't ask me why, And I'll tell you no lies
I demand neither affection nor wealth, just benevolence and mercy now, sweetheart; Don't ask for details, and I won't devise any fabrication.
Been looking for answers in unsavory places, On the highest of mountains, And the lowest of bases, And I still don't know why, I still don't know why
I've scrutinized unbecoming and extreme domains, but why everything unfolds in a particular way, perplexes me still
I took the wind from the sea, I took the blood from an arrow, I took the wisdom of spring, And I was thrown and blown and tossed and turned, Until time found its hand, And called it an end
I've assimilated wind, blood, and wisdom, and survived through tumultuous movements until fortune favored me to resolve the chaos
Me and time, we go way back when, I was a child and I always knew it, I knew my name, I knew my road, And I stayed away from heavy loads, And still I am low, Oh lord, am I low
Me and time are long-time acquaintances, even when I was juvenile, it was evident; I recognized my existence and purpose and didn't burden myself with onerous tasks, but still, I feel dejected and helpless, oh god, how miserable am I
Those of us who are lost and low, We know how you feel, We know it's not right, but it's real, But it's real
People like us, who are misguided or fallen, we grasp your predicament, we understand it's unrighteous, but that's the harsh reality
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAURA BEATRICE MARLING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind