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).
Sophia
Laura Marling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where I've been lately is no concern of yours
Who's been touching my skin
Who have I been letting
Shy and tired-eyed am I today
Umm
All I have been wondering where I have been pondering
Where I've been lately is no concern of yours
Who's been touching my skin
Who have I been letting
Shy and tired-eyed am I today
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Sometimes I sit, sometimes I stare
Sometimes they look and sometimes I don't care
Rarely I weep, sometimes I must
I'm wounded by dust
When the bell toll, when the bell gon' chime
You better call for your woman up high
And when the bell tolls for your last day
You'll be getting down on your knees to pray
I'm a good woman and I never did say whatever it was that you did that day
I'm not a woman that is going to place claim, but you said that it was coming on judgement day
Now Sophia
I'm wounded by dust
When the bell toll, when the bell gon' chime
You better call for your woman up high
And when the bell tolls for your last day
You'll be getting down on your knees to pray
I'm a good woman and I never did say whatever it was that you did that day
I'm not a woman that is going to place claim, but you said that it was coming on judgement day
Now Sophia (Sophia)
I'm wounded by dust
Now Sophia
The song "Sophia" by Laura Marling is a melancholy ballad about the musings of an introspective woman. The lyrics speak of her recent wanderings, suggesting that she's been struggling with her place in the world, but emphasizing that it's no one else's concern. The lyrics also imply that she's been allowing others to touch her skin, though it's unclear whether this is a metaphor or a literal statement.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm wounded by dust," which seems to suggest a weariness or sadness with the world around her. She goes on to describe her emotional state in terms of sitting, staring, weeping, and not caring. Meanwhile, the verses talk about judgment day and the importance of praying when the bell tolls for a person's last day. There's also a mention of a woman named Sophia, who may represent either the singer or someone she knows.
The song concludes with a repetition of "Now Sophia/I'm wounded by dust," suggesting that the singer remains in her reflective and somewhat despondent state. The song's mournful tone and introspective lyrics make it a poignant meditation on the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I have been wondering where I have been pondering
I've been lost in thought and wondering about my recent existence
Where I've been lately is no concern of yours
It's not your business to know where I've been
Who's been touching my skin
I'm questioning who has been intimate with me
Who have I been letting
I'm questioning my own choices in allowing certain people to touch me
Shy and tired-eyed am I today
Today I am feeling introverted and physically exhausted
Umm
An expression of uncertainty or hesitation
All I have been wondering where I have been pondering
I'm still lost in thought and wondering about my recent existence
Ooh, ooh, ooh
An expression of emotion or excitement
Sometimes I sit, sometimes I stare
I have moments of stillness and contemplation
Sometimes they look and sometimes I don't care
I have moments of wanting attention and moments of not caring if I get it or not
Rarely I weep, sometimes I must
I don't often cry, but sometimes it becomes necessary
I'm wounded by dust
I am emotionally fragile and easily injured
When the bell toll, when the bell gon' chime
This is a metaphor for the inevitability of death
You better call for your woman up high
You should show love and respect for the women in your life
And when the bell tolls for your last day
This is a reminder that we all will eventually die
You'll be getting down on your knees to pray
This is a religious reference to the act of praying before death
I'm a good woman and I never did say whatever it was that you did that day
I have done nothing wrong and have kept silent about your actions
I'm not a woman that is going to place claim, but you said that it was coming on judgement day
I am not going to seek revenge, but you will answer for your actions on judgement day
Now Sophia
This is a direct address to someone named Sophia
I'm wounded by dust
I am still emotionally fragile and easily injured
Now Sophia
This is again, a direct address to someone named Sophia
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Laura Beatrice Marling
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind