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).
Where Can I Go
Laura Marling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I loved my momma till the end of line
I am cold and I am bright,
It’s a curse of mine to be sad at night
It’s a curse of mine to be sad at night
[Chorus]
Late at night he’ll come to me
Don’t you think I don’t already know?
All I see is road
No one takes me home,
Where, where can I go?
Truth about desire they say,
Is a need to breathe for another day.
Truth I heard about regret
It’s the hardest truth I’ve come to yet
It’s the hardest truth I’ve come to yet
[Chorus]
All I see is road
No one takes me home,
Where, where can I go?
If I feel like I want to be alone
If I feel like I’m better fought than won
Pick up your rope and jump for Rosie
She’s just a sweet thing with a curl
Just about a woman with her clothes on
You take them off, and she’s a girl
All I hear are words
There’s something I don’t know
Where, where can I go?
The song "Where Can I Go?" by Laura Marling explores themes of loneliness, desire, regret, and the search for a sense of belonging. The opening lines reveal that the singer had a close relationship with her father but had an even deeper love for her mother. She then goes on to describe herself as "cold and bright," which can be interpreted as a reference to feeling detached or guarded in her emotions. The chorus describes how the singer feels alone, with no one to take her home. The repetition of the question "Where can I go?" gives us a sense of her desperation for connection.
The second verse explores the idea of desire, and how it is a fundamental need for survival. The singer then goes on to describe regret as the "hardest truth" she has come to know. This could suggest that she has experience with making decisions that she feels an intense sense of guilt or sorrow about.
The final verse is a bit more cryptic. The phrase "Pick up your rope and jump for Rosie" is an allusion to a game called "Jump Rope for Heart" which was designed to raise awareness about heart disease. The singer then goes on to describe Rosie as "just about a woman with her clothes on," which could imply that the singer is struggling with her own sense of identity and sexuality. The final lines of the song reflect a feeling of uncertainty and confusion, as the singer admits that "All I hear are words / There's something I don't know / Where, where can I go?" This closing refrain emphasizes the idea that sometimes we can feel lost and disconnected from ourselves and others, no matter how hard we try to reach out.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a daddy’s girl sometime,
At some point in my life, I had a close relationship with my father.
But I loved my momma till the end of line
However, my love for my mother has remained constant throughout my life.
I am cold and I am bright,
I possess both an aloof and radiant nature.
It’s a curse of mine to be sad at night
Unfortunately, I often feel melancholic during nighttime.
It’s a curse of mine to be sad at night
(repeated line) Unfortunately, I often feel melancholic during nighttime.
[Chorus] Late at night he’ll come to me And he’ll tell me I’m alone Don’t you think I don’t already know? All I see is road No one takes me home, Where, where can I go?
At night, I am visited by a sense of loneliness and isolation, although it's an already familiar feeling. No one seems to provide a sense of comfort or a safe place for me, leaving me feeling lost.
Truth about desire they say, Is a need to breathe for another day.
Some say that desire is the driving force that keeps one going each day, a vital need.
Truth I heard about regret, It’s the hardest truth I’ve come to yet
I recently learned that regret is one of the most difficult truths to accept or confront.
It’s the hardest truth I’ve come to yet
(repeated line) I recently learned that regret is one of the most difficult truths to accept or confront.
[Chorus] All I see is road No one takes me home, Where, where can I go?
I feel as though I am continuously traveling down a path without a destination or a place to call home, leaving me uncertain and directionless.
If I feel like I want to be alone If I feel like I’m better fought than won Pick up your rope and jump for Rosie She’s just a sweet thing with a curl Just about a woman with her clothes on You take them off, and she’s a girl
If at times I feel the need to be alone or struggle with the idea of fighting versus winning, I am reminded of a woman named Rosie who appears to be effortlessly feminine and delicate, yet strong and tenacious when her guard is down.
All I hear are words There’s something I don’t know Where, where can I go?
Although people may try to offer me advice or tell me what to do, I still feel like there's something I am unaware of or missing, which leaves me feeling powerless and uncertain of where to turn.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LAURA BEATRICE MARLING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Traumbel Rum
Played this on my very last day at school with a friend. That was super emotional and I am truly thankful to associate such a poetic and gentle song with such a nice memory. Laura is one of my greatest role models.
Adrian Wlodarz
Love her voice and the gradual build up to crescendo as well as the poetic lyric. Beautiful piece of music! This song is my introduction to Laura by way of mvyradio (WMVY).
laika288
Makes me a bit sick that she's still only 23 and now she's getting the fourth album out. Been a joy to see her grow and grow and I hope I grow old listening to her.
IronspyFilms
Cant wait till May 27th!
Dublingooner89
shes done it again
Yolanda Garcia
i am a daddy's girl.. i'll love my mama til the end of the line.. and i get sad at night
charmuga
very joni mitchell-esque. love it
Debra Gulledge
Why does she sound so much like Joni Mitchell? Was Joni her only influence? Phoebe Snow?
euglec27
Sounds like a Bob Dylan song to me.
basahan
Y E S