Mvula grew up in the Birmingham suburbs of Selly Park and Kings Heath with two younger siblings, and was influenced by the girl band Eternal. She sang with Black Voices, an a capella group set up by her aunt. She graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire with a degree in composition. While she was working as a supply teacher in a Birmingham secondary school, she started writing songs on her laptop. She was working as a receptionist when she sent out two demos to several people in the music industry. She is married to singer Themba Mvula.
Signed to Sony subsidiary RCA, Mvula released her debut extended play, "She", on 16 November 2012. Her debut studio album, Sing to the Moon, was released on 4 March 2013. One person has described her music using a new term, "gospeldelia". The album was preceeded by the single "Green Garden". The song is an elegy to her home in Kings Heath. On 6 December 2012, Mvula was shortlisted for the Critics' Choice award at the 2013 BRIT Awards. On 9 December, she was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2013 poll, and finished in fourth position. On 1 February 2013, she gave a live TV performance on The Graham Norton Show on BBC One, singing "Green Garden".
Green Garden
Laura Mvula Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody out there, but it's okay now
Bathe in the sunlight, the money frame falls,
Take me outside, sit in a green garden
And I'll fly on the wings of a butterfly
High as a tree tall and down again
With my back down, taking my shoes off,
Dance in my garden like we used to,
Dance in my garden like we used to
Take me outside, sit in a green garden,
Nobody out there, but it's okay now
Bathe in the sunlight, the money frame falls,
Take me outside, sit in a green garden
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
Take me outside, sit in a green garden
Take me outside, sit in a green garden
And I'll fly on the wings of a butterfly
High as a tree tall and down again.
Put my back down, taking my shoes off,
Walking a carpet of green velvet
Dance in my garden like we used to,
Dance in my garden like we used to
Take me outside, take me outside,
Take me outside, sit in a green garden
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
I'll go wherever you go,
Wherever you take me, I'll go
The lyrics of Laura Mvula's "Green Garden" describe a desire to be taken outside and escape from the pressures of daily life, and find solace in nature. The song conveys a sense of freedom and joy, depicted by beautiful imagery of butterflies, tall trees, and soft green carpets. The lyrics are repetitive, conveying a need for simplicity and an escape from complexity. By singing "take me outside, sit in a green garden", Mvula is yearning for a connection to the natural world.
The song also speaks to the power of memory and nostalgia. The line "dance in my garden like we used to" suggests a longing for a simpler time, an earlier moment that brought happiness.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of yearning to find solace by escaping from society and connecting with something that is purer and simpler than the rest of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me outside, sit in a green garden
I want to escape to a peaceful and serene environment surrounded by nature.
Nobody out there, but it's okay now
The absence of other people is comforting and allows for a moment of tranquility.
Bathe in the sunlight, the money frame falls
Being in nature and away from materialistic distractions helps to clear the mind.
And I'll fly on the wings of a butterfly
I feel free and weightless when surrounded by nature's beauty.
High as a tree tall and down again
The experience of being surrounded by nature can take one on an emotional journey that has many highs and lows.
With my back down, taking my shoes off,
The act of physically removing shoes and lying down in nature is symbolic of letting go and being vulnerable.
Walk on a carpet of green velvet
The lush greenery of nature can be as luxurious and comforting as a soft carpet.
Dance in my garden like we used to
Recalling memories of joyful experiences in nature and wanting to relive them.
I'll go wherever you go, Wherever you take me, I'll go
A desire to follow someone and experience new things together, even if it means stepping out of one's comfort zone.
Take me outside, take me outside
A plea to escape from the stresses of daily life and find solace in nature.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAURA PAULINE AMANDA MVULA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rontaylor8197
Music needs this woman! Young ears need to hear complex harmony, percussion, soul roots with a tribal heartbeat. This is something good.
@ch33.tah.
Yes
@MARYANNE269
I am going to buy her albums tomorrow when I get paid!!! 😄 She is phenomenal ✌
@yukinoshita5788
i was stunned by the total effect
@seancase1202
Love 😍 this tune 🎶 👍
@R0B_WR
This song was shit just like every other song after 2002
@aaroncarson1770
I feel like there's power in the happiness of this song.
@joncarr1200
There is
@mizzcarameluv
oh there isssssssss!!
@suesmith4289
Aaron Carson this song is beautiful, when I say in my beautiful mumas sat in my dad's garden when I was young, I can never get those precious moments back.xxx