Nicolette Larson (July 17, 1952 – December 16, 1997) was an American singer… Read Full Bio ↴Nicolette Larson (July 17, 1952 – December 16, 1997) was an American singer best known for her cover version of Neil Young's "Lotta Love", which peaked at #8 on Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 chart in February 1979.

She sang backing vocals on the Van Halen song "Could This Be Magic?" and on Neil Young's recording of Ian Tyson's folk classic "Four Strong Winds".

Born in Helena, Montana, Larson got her start singing with Hoyt Axton's band and Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. She worked as a session vocalist for Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Neil Young, Christopher Cross, Little Feat, Mary Kay Place, The Dirt Band, The Beach Boys and The Doobie Brothers. In 1979, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She also had a minor role in the 1988 film Twins.

In December 1997, she died in Los Angeles from complications arising from a cerebral edema at the age of 45. She was survived by her husband Russell Kunkel and her daughter Elsie May Larson-Kunkel (born 1990), who has also found some entertainment experience.

Larson is buried in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Barefoot Floors
Nicolette Larson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sleep, baby sleep
I know your day has been o so long
Sleep, baby sleep
I know your day has been o so long
the night falls at your feet
now the day feels so complete
compared to darkness
sleep, baby sleep

dream, baby dream
sweet dreams are all it's made of
dream, baby dream
sweet dreams are all it's made of
promises of the morning ways
new beginnings for another day
to spend together
dream, baby dream

love, baby love
Has got me walking on these
Barefoot floors
Love, baby love
Has got me walking on these
barefoot floors
Find the light surrounding you
Sleep the night until morning's dew

I will be here for you
Love, baby love

Overall Meaning

The song "Barefoot Floors" by Nicolette Larson is a sweet lullaby that speaks of love, protection and care. The opening lines say, "Sleep, baby sleep, I know your day has been o so long", which conveys a sense of empathy that the singer has for the baby who is tired and deserves rest. The next lines, "the night falls at your feet, now the day feels so complete compared to darkness", presents a contrast between the light and darkness. The night is associated with rest, comfort and peacefulness, whereas darkness is symbolic of the unknown, the scary and uncertain. By bringing the comparison, the song suggests that the baby's day was hard and full of unknowns, but the night brings calmness and relief.

The second stanza talks about dreaming and the hope that tomorrow brings. The singer sings, "Promises of the morning ways, new beginnings for another day, to spend together dream, baby dream". Larson speaks of hope, a new chance at experiencing new things, and the beauty of it all. The song then ends on a loving note with, "Love, baby love, Has got me walking on these barefoot floors. Find the light surrounding you, Sleep the night until morning's dew, I will be here for you, Love, baby love". These lines suggest that love is the reason for everything, it brings people together and keeps them strong, regardless of what they face. Love is what gives the singer strength, and they will be there to protect and nurture the baby, always.

Line by Line Meaning

Sleep, baby sleep
Rest, my dear child

I know your day has been o so long
I understand how tiring your day must have been

the night falls at your feet
The darkness is here to offer you solace

now the day feels so complete
Once the night comes, it feels like the day is done

compared to darkness
The darkness is a relief

sleep, baby sleep
Have a peaceful slumber

dream, baby dream
Let your mind take you to faraway places, asleep or awake

sweet dreams are all it's made of
Dreams are made of only sweet things

promises of the morning ways
Each morning is a promise of a new beginning

new beginnings for another day
tomorrow is a fresh start

to spend together
we will spend the morning together