Daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and the sister of Rufus Wainwright, she has frequently appeared on recordings by her family members, the McGarrigle Sisters and Family and has released several independent EPs. Wainwright released an independent cassette, Ground Floor, in 1997. The following year, her song "Year of the Dragon" appeared on The McGarrigle Hour, an album released by Kate & Anna McGarrigle. Shortly after this recording, Martha began singing backup vocals for her brother, and released the six-song EP Martha Wainwright in 1999.
Her full length self-titled first album was released in 2005, followed in 2008 by I Know You're Married but I've Got Feelings Too, and in 2009 by Sans fusils, ni souliers, à Paris: Martha Wainwright's Piaf Record. The Prosperpina Songfacts reports that her 4th album, Come Home To Mama, was recorded at Sean Lennon's studio in New York City. Speaking about the album, Wainwright said: "This record is a culmination of my life experiences so far. Everything changed for me a couple of years ago and this record is a representation of that and a return to the reason I started writing songs."
Laurel & Hardy
Martha Wainwright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you would be so very kind to listen to these words I've written
About the boy who seems quite smitten, but like no other you will find
'Cause, baby, I know the reasons why we were unkind
He's Laurel, he's Hardy, he's the life of the party
And he's got great taste in furniture
Wakes up at noon, plays the piano till he swoons, goes out for food
But I gotta know why
Three years before me, you came out and cried
Boy, not a girl, where'd you get all that pride?
You are so very thin and I've always wanted to fit into your pants
Photogenic at first glance, but got something missing for romance
We share a mother, we do and a daddy too
Home on [unverified] avenue and a melancholy mood
With a rhapsody in blue
'Cause, baby, I know the reasons why we were unkind
First born son, son of a gun
I love you even more than when the song was begun
First born son, son of a gun
I love you even more than when the song was begun
In Martha Wainwright's song Laurel & Hardy, the singer explores the complicated relationship she has with her brother. The song starts with her expressing her desire for the listener to hear her words about her brother, who, according to her, has great taste in furniture, wakes up at noon, and plays the piano until he swoons before going out for food. The lyrics also reveal that Martha has always wanted to fit into her brother's pants, indicating the admiration she holds for him.
However, the next line reveals that their relationship has not always been smooth sailing as she sings, "but like no other you will find, 'Cause, baby, I know the reasons why we were unkind." She then continues to reminisce about their childhood together, reminiscing about how three years before her, her brother was born, and she has always been curious about where he got all his pride from. They share a mother, a father, and live on the same avenue, and although they share a melancholy mood, there is something missing between them. The song ends with Martha expressing her love for her brother, saying that she loves him more than when the song began.
In summary, Laurel & Hardy is a tribute-a bittersweet tribute- to Martha Wainwright's brother. It's an expression of nostalgia for a time before they were unkind to each other, mixed with admiration, and appreciation for the sibling bond that exists between them.
Line by Line Meaning
I wrote this song late last night about my brother and all his might
This song was written about my brother and his incredible abilities which I deeply admire.
And you would be so very kind to listen to these words I've written
I would greatly appreciate if you would lend me your ear to listen to my thoughts.
About the boy who seems quite smitten, but like no other you will find
This is about my brother who is deeply in love, but unlike anyone else I've ever met.
'Cause, baby, I know the reasons why we were unkind
I understand why we may have been harsh in the past.
He's Laurel, he's Hardy, he's the life of the party
My brother is like Laurel and Hardy combined; always entertaining and lively.
And he's got great taste in furniture
He has a great eye for interior design and knows how to make a house feel like a home.
Wakes up at noon, plays the piano till he swoons, goes out for food
He has an unusual schedule and loves to play the piano until he's exhausted, then has a meal.
Three years before me, you came out and cried, Boy, not a girl, where'd you get all that pride?
My brother was born three years before me, and I wondered as a child how he developed so much confidence despite being a boy.
You are so very thin and I've always wanted to fit into your pants
You've always been slender, and I envied your ability to fit into stylish pants.
Photogenic at first glance, but got something missing for romance
Although you have a great appearance, there's something elusive about your love life.
We share a mother, we do and a daddy too, Home on [unverified] avenue and a melancholy mood, With a rhapsody in blue
We have the same parents and grew up on a street that carried a lot of sadness. Yet, music helped us cope and find beauty in the blue melodies.
First born son, son of a gun, I love you even more than when the song was begun
You are the firstborn and most cherished son. I love you more than when I first started to write this song.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Martha Wainwright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KGT
I'm reading Martha's book, Stories I Might Regret Telling You, while sitting in a Toronto cafe, giving my daughter some time and space to nap with her two wee babies. This song is spectacular! I love it. It needs to be heard widely.
Angelika Goldstein
I wrote this song late last night
About my brother and all his might
And you would be so very kind
To listen to these words I've written
About the boy who seems quite smitten
But like no other you will find
Cause baby I know the reasons why we were unkind
He's Laurel he's Hardy he's the life of the party
And he's got great taste in furniture
Wakes up at noon plays the piano til he swoons
Goes out for food
Cause baby I know the reasons why we were unkind
But I gotta know why
Three years before me you came out and cried
Boy not a girl where'd you get all that pride
You are so very thin and I've always wanted to fit into your pants
Photogenic at first glance but got something missing for romance
We share a mother we do and a daddy too
Home on Querbes avenue and a melancholy mood
With a rhapsody in blue
Cause baby I know the reasons why we were unkind
First born son, son of a gun
I love you even more than when the song was begun
First born son, son of a gun
Marcelle Clow
Thank you for uploading this Angelika!