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".
She
Laura Mvula Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She wondered if there's a way out of the blue
Who's gonna take her home this time
She knew that this time wouldn't be the last time
There she waits looking for a savior,
Someone to save her from her dying self
Always taking ten steps back and one step forward,
(Oh oh oh)
She don't stop, she don't stop, she don't stop
She don't stop, she don't stop, she don't stop
Every day she stood, hoping for a new light
She closed her eyes and she had a smile voice say
You don't stop, no, you belong to me
She cried, maybe it's too late
(Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop, don't stop)
She don't stop, she don't stop, she don't stop
She don't stop, she don't stop, she don't stop
(Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop, don't stop)
She walked to watch you with the head down low
She wondered if there's a way out of the blue
Who's gonna take her home this time
She knew that this time wouldn't be the last time
The song "She" by Laura Mvula is about a person who is struggling with depression and constantly searching for a way out of their sadness. The lyrics suggest that this person is a woman ("she"), who walks with her head down and wonders if there is any hope for her to escape her sadness. She is aware that her current state is not sustainable and that it is not the last time she will feel this way.
The lyrics also allude to the fact that the woman is seeking help, but no one seems to be able to save her from herself. She takes "ten steps back and one step forward" in her attempts to escape her sadness, which is a common experience for those struggling with depression. The repetition of "she don't stop" throughout the song portrays the woman's persistence and determination to keep fighting, even when it seems impossible.
Overall, the song is a powerful portrayal of the struggles of depression and the strength it takes to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
She walked to watch you with the head down low
She moved with downhearted head to secretly watch you
She wondered if there's a way out of the blue
She pondered if there's an escape from melancholy and gloom
Who's gonna take her home this time
Who will be there to take her home safely this time
She knew that this time wouldn't be the last time
She recognized that this time won't be the ultimate occurrence
There she waits looking for a savior,
There she waits seeking someone to rescue her
Someone to save her from her dying self
Someone to liberate her from her decaying being
Always taking ten steps back and one step forward,
She continually retreats and hardly make any progress
She's tired, but she don't stop
She's exhausted, nevertheless she never quits
(Oh oh oh) She don't stop, she don't stop, she don't stop
She continues to push herself, never stopping
Every day she stood, hoping for a new light
Every day she endures, waiting for a glimmer of hope
She closed her eyes and she had a smile voice say
She shut her eyes and heard a soothing voice say
You don't stop, no, you belong to me
You must keep going, you are mine
She cried, maybe it's too late
She wept, thinking perhaps it's already too late
(Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop, don't stop)
The voice repeats, urging her not to cease trying
She don't stop, she don't stop, she don't stop
She perseveres, she never quits
(Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop, don't stop)
The voice echoes, encouraging her to keep going
She walked to watch you with the head down low
She proceeded to secretly observe you, with a forlorn demeanor
She wondered if there's a way out of the blue
She contemplated if there's a way out of this sadness and despondency
Who's gonna take her home this time
Who will be there to take her out of this despair this time
She knew that this time wouldn't be the last time
She realized this instance won't be the end
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVEN JAMES BROWN, LAURA MVULA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PalmurcioWorld
I've just discovered this girl and God...she's amazing. Just 4 songs and I'm 100% love with her music.
darquenite
I hate that I just realized that I've never seen anything like this with people that look like me outside of maybe a movie about slavery. I love this. Its so simple. And so small. And also all that I've ever needed.
Don Ferguson
Uggghhh, God bless you melanite star person, God bless ✌🏾🏴
Nicholas Harris
could you explain the video to me?
Carly Wilding
Stunning as always. Thumbs up if you think her music deserves so much more recognition!
Deja Hatchett
This is such a beautiful story, to me it's about how women know that they face hardships, but the beauty such as falling in love make the dark moments worth while. That our daughters will have similar fates and follow in our footsteps as beings who never cease to keep on moving
KatGurl88
That's a excellent interpretation of the video
James De Vile
I met Laura a year ago while she was still "unknown", she supported an event I did in London. We sat in a tiny studio and she played some songs from her EP - it was amazing just listening and knowing how big this girl is going to be.
eBellz11
This is the kind of music you have to pause after hearing.
What talent. What innovativeness. What beauty. Refreshing.
Dev Rias
I've seen this video countless times now, and it doesn't matter how many times I see it I still feel it the same way as I did the very first time I watched— I don't want to sound corny or anything, but it touches your soul honestly. lol