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).
Those Were The Days
Laura Marling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where we used to raise a glass or two
'Member how we'd laugh away the hours
Thinking of the great things we would do?
Then those busy years went rushing by us
Lost our sorry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young, born to have our way
(Born to have our way)
Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Is this lonely woman really me?
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young, born to have our way
(Born to have our way)
Those were the days
La, da-da, da-da
La, da-da, da-da
La, da-da-da-da
La, da-da, da-da
La, da-da, da-da
La, da-da-da
Through the door came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh, my friend, we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts, the dreams are still the same
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young, born to have our way
(Born to have our way)
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young, born to have our way
(Born to have our way)
Those were the days
The lyrics to Laura Marling's song "Those Were the Days" capture a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the passage of time. It starts with a reminiscence of a time when the singer and their friends used to gather at a tavern, sharing laughter and dreams of the future. The imagery of raising a glass and laughing away the hours paints a picture of carefree youth and the feeling of endless possibilities.
As the song progresses, the lyrics reflect on how time eventually caught up with them, with the busy years rushing by and leading to a sense of lost opportunities and faded dreams. The mention of a chance encounter at the tavern evokes a bittersweet longing for the past and a recognition of how things have changed over time. The repetition of the phrase "those were the days" serves as a wistful refrain, emphasizing the fleeting nature of youth and the moments that are now cherished memories.
The theme of change and aging becomes more pronounced in the latter part of the song, as the singer stands before the tavern and sees a reflection of themselves that is different from the past. The lyrics convey a sense of displacement and introspection, as the singer wonders about the passage of time and the person they have become. Despite the realization that things are not the same as they once were, there is a comfort in the familiar laughter and the enduring connection with old friends.
Ultimately, "Those Were the Days" encapsulates the universal experience of looking back on the past with a mix of nostalgia, regret, and acceptance. The song beautifully captures the sentiment of holding onto memories of youth and friendships while acknowledging the inevitability of change and the passage of time. It speaks to the enduring power of shared experiences and the enduring bond between friends who have grown older but still hold onto the dreams and moments that defined their youth.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time there was a tavern
In the past, there was a place where we gathered
Where we used to raise a glass or two
We would celebrate and have a good time
'Member how we'd laugh away the hours
Remember how we enjoyed spending time together
Thinking of the great things we would do?
Dreaming of our future ambitions
Then those busy years went rushing by us
Time passed quickly and we got caught up in our lives
Lost our sorry notions on the way
We let go of our regrets and doubts as time went on
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
If I happened to meet you at our old gathering place
We'd smile at one another and we'd say
We would share a smile and reminisce
Is this lonely woman really me?
Am I truly the lonely person I see in the reflection?
Through the door came familiar laughter
Recognizable laughter filled the room
I saw your face and heard you call my name
I recognized you and you called out to me
Oh, my friend, we're older but no wiser
We have aged, but our wisdom has not increased
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Laura Beatrice Marling
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind