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).
My Friends
Laura Marling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And lovers, oh my lovers
I'd leave you for them
They got a hand on my back
Mama has money now and Mama has friends
She's making rags for some uptown hags
And why are you so sad?
Why are you always so sad?
Why do I not understand?
Why don't I see what it is you see?
Why can I live and just be?
I'm full of guilt
I am full of guilt
You're very tall, you're very handsome
You have it all, your skin smells like man
And I, you never know how I ache
You will never know how I ache
Don't touch that in grace
Ever considered the sea?
I heard you had to be strong
Why not float around with me?
It won't take you so long
You can go where I'm at
You can hang around with me
And a few good men will go where they all
Where they all not be
And a few good mothers go for what they,
What they all not teach
And I long for a touch or reminder of us but,
But it must not be
And a few strong branches over water reach for what they all not reach
I hope your mother knows where it is you have been
I hope your mother knows what it is you have seen
She'd be so proud
She will never know how I ache
In "My Friends," Laura Marling sings about the complicated relationships she has with her friends and lovers. She suggests that she would leave her lovers for her friends, which may imply that her friendships are more valuable to her than her romantic relationships. The line "They got a hand on my back" speaks to the comfort and support that her friends provide.
The song then shifts to talk about her mother and how she has changed since coming into money and making new friends. Marling wonders why her mother is sad, and why she can't understand her mother's perspective. This introspection leads Marling to examine her own feelings of guilt, and her inability to fully express her emotions. The lines "You have it all, your skin smells like man / And I, you never know how I ache" imply that she is longing for something that she can't have, perhaps indicating a sense of unrequited love.
Later in the song, Marling invites the listener to consider the sea as a place to escape their problems. She acknowledges that being strong is a requirement when facing the unknown, but suggests that they can "float around" together. The song concludes with the lines "I hope your mother knows where it is you have been / I hope your mother knows what it is you have seen / She'd be so proud / She will never know how I ache." These lyrics express a longing for validation and understanding from both her own mother and her lover's mother.
Overall, "My Friends" is a complex and introspective exploration of relationships, loneliness, and the human desire for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends, my dear friends
Referring to people who are in her life but not very close to her.
And lovers, oh my lovers
Referring to the people who she has had romantic relationships with.
I'd leave you for them
Preferring her acquaintances over people she has intimate relationships with.
They got a hand on my back
Being controlled by her acquaintances who are much more assertive than she is.
Mama has money now and Mama has friends
Her mother is wealthy and has befriended people who are also wealthy.
She's making rags for some uptown hags
Her mother is making clothing for wealthy people who can easily afford to buy expensive clothes.
With their money in bags
Referring to the wealthy people carrying their money in bags.
And why are you so sad?
Asking someone why they are sad.
Why are you always so sad?
Asking someone why they are always sad.
Why do I not understand?
Questioning herself about why she doesn't understand someone's emotions.
Why don't I see what it is you see?
Asking herself why she doesn't perceive things the same way as someone else.
Why can I live and just be?
Questioning her purpose in life and why she is able to live without worries.
I'm full of guilt
Feeling guilty about something.
You're very tall, you're very handsome
Complimenting someone's physical appearance.
You have it all, your skin smells like man
Commenting on someone's attractiveness and masculinity.
And I, you never know how I ache
Expressing that someone doesn't understand how much she is hurting emotionally.
Don't touch that in grace
Asking someone not to touch something in a gentle or polite way.
Ever considered the sea?
Asking someone if they have ever thought about going to the ocean.
I heard you had to be strong
Referring to the challenges of going to the sea and that one has to be strong to experience it.
Why not float around with me?
Asking someone to come with her on her journey to the sea.
It won't take you so long
Assuring someone that the journey won't take very long.
You can go where I'm at
Inviting someone to follow her.
You can hang around with me
Inviting someone to spend time with her.
And a few good men will go where they all
Referring to a few people who are willing to follow her wherever she leads.
Where they all not be
Going where the majority of people aren't willing to go.
And a few good mothers go for what they,
Referring to mothers who are willing to do anything for their children.
What they all not teach
Doing things that aren't conventional and aren't usually taught to children.
And I long for a touch or reminder of us but,
Feeling nostalgic and longing for an old relationship.
But it must not be
Knowing that the relationship is over and accepting that it can't be rekindled.
And a few strong branches over water reach for what they all not reach
Referring to people who are determined to reach for something that isn't easily attainable.
I hope your mother knows where it is you have been
Worrying about someone's whereabouts and hoping their mother is aware of where they've been.
I hope your mother knows what it is you have seen
Concerned about someone's experiences and hoping their mother knows what they've gone through.
She'd be so proud
Believing that the person's mother would be proud of them.
She will never know how I ache
Knowing that someone's mother will never understand the emotional pain she is going through.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAURA BEATRICE MARLING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind