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).
The End of the Affair
Laura Marling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With very much, nothing to say
And so we sat in silence by the road
It took awhile to land
He threw his head into hands
And said this is too much
For man to hold
If you were mine
I'd let you live your life
Threw my head into his chest
I think we did our best
But now we must make good
On words to God
Answered with a weary breath
No need to say the rest
I feel that we've been lost here
For too long
If you were mine
If you were mine
I'd let you live your life
The end of the affair
I tried to keep us there
Shake hands and say goodnight
I love you, goodbye
Now let me live my life
The mentioned lyrics are from the song 'The End of the Affair' by Laura Marling. The song is a conversation between two people, presumably a couple who have recently ended their relationship. The man, Max, comes around with nothing to say and they sit in silence on the road for a while. He throws his head into his hands and says that the situation is too much for any man to bear. The woman responds by telling him that if he were hers, she would let him live his life. Then, she throws her head into his chest and says that they did their best, but now they must make good on their word to God. She tells him that there is no need to say the rest because she feels that they have been lost here for too long.
The song portrays the emotions associated with a break-up, the feeling of uncertainty, and the difficulty in moving on. Laura's stunning voice and the rawness of the lyrics make the song more relatable, and the heart-rending music complements the sad tone. The conversation between the couple addresses the fundamental frustration involved during a break-up where both people might struggle to convey how they feel. The song ends with the couple saying goodbye to each other, and the woman asking for the chance to live her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Max came around one day
One day, Max came by.
With very much, nothing to say
However, he didn't have much to talk about.
And so we sat in silence by the road
Thus, we sat quietly by the roadside.
It took awhile to land
Gradually, the gravity of the situation became apparent.
He threw his head into hands
Overwhelmed, he put his head in his hands.
And said this is too much
He declared that the situation was too much to handle.
For man to hold
It was more than a person could bear.
If you were mine
If I had control over you,
If you were mine
I would let you live your life.
Threw my head into his chest
I buried my head in his chest.
I think we did our best
I believe we tried as hard as we could.
But now we must make good
However, we must follow through with our decision.
On words to God
We made vows and must keep them.
Answered with a weary breath
I responded with a tired sigh.
No need to say the rest
There is no need to elaborate further.
I feel that we've been lost here
I believe we have been stuck here.
For too long
For an extended period of time.
The end of the affair
We have reached the conclusion of our romantic relationship.
I tried to keep us there
I attempted to maintain our relationship.
Shake hands and say goodnight
We should part ways amicably and say goodbye.
I love you, goodbye
I still care about you, but it's time to move on.
Now let me live my life
I need to continue my life without you.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Blake Mills, Laura Marling
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shubham Adawade
Max came around one day
With very much nothing to say
And so we sat in silence by the road
It took a while to land
He threw his head into his hands and said this is too much for man to hold
If you were mine
If you were mine
I’d let you live your life
Threw my head unto his chest
I think we did our best
But now we must make good on words to god
Answered with a weary breath
No need to say the rest
I fear that we’ve been lost here for too long
If you were mine
If you were mine
I’d let you live your life
The end of the affair
I tried to keep us there
Shake hands and say goodnight
I love you goodbye
Now let me live my life
Triton Hill
Goosebumps every time she sings “I love you goodbye”
I.Hold.Vertigo
This song will be viewed as a classic someday.
Lucy Cookman
The pure emotion put into that note when she sings I love you is incredible x
TB Hilliard
I just had a conversation with my ex on the phone a minute ago. And this song just hit my heart like a train.
June Asiimwe
Man this is soul-crushingly beautiful.
Tiffany Chantel Music
This song is so achingly beautiful...I am obsessed.
EloiseMwahaha
This song legit made me cry first time I heard it.
Valerio Vigino
Lucky you, I cry every time!
EloiseMwahaha
Sidekick Cleveland it’d kill me
Sidekick Cleveland
Imagine laying on your bed, head turned to the side resting on your hand looking into her eyes at 2a.m. 🤕