A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Laughner remains a rather little known figure; nonetheless, Richie Unterberger described him as "probably the single biggest catalyst in the birth of Cleveland's alternative rock scene in the mid-'70s."
He led a variety of groups (including Mr. Charlie, Cinderella Backstreet, Peter & The Wolves, The Blue Drivers and Friction) but his most enduring contributions were to Rocket From The Tombs and the early work of Pere Ubu. In addition to all this, he wrote for Creem magazine.
Laughner was a voracious rock fan and writer, and was heavily influenced by Lester Bangs's writings. Like Bangs, Laughner worshipped Lou Reed, but also drew inspiration from folk and blues figures such as Robert Johnson and Woody Guthrie. He was a unique, visceral lead guitarist whose greatest influence was Fairport Convention guitarist Richard Thompson. Laughner was briefly considered as a replacement for Richard Lloyd when he departed Television, a band whom he championed from their earliest days.
Laughner had severe drug and alcohol abuse problems that led to his death by acute pancreatitis in 1977 at the age of 24. Rumors to the effect that Laughner was despondent, even suicidal, at the time of his death have been contradicted by Laughner's last known message, written and mailed to Cleveland singer Ruby Port on the evening prior to his death. This letter revealed his intent to move to a retreat in the Ohio countryside, where he could write new music as well as rest and regain his health. Bangs wrote a eulogy for him. Laughner's only known entrance into a recording studio was for the Pere Ubu single sessions, though he left behind countless lo-fi live, rehearsal, and demo recordings. In 1994, Tim/Kerr label released Take the Guitar Player for a Ride, a 15 track compilation drawn from these tapes. This compilation has since gone out of print. Fans continue to circulate bootleg recordings and a Cleveland-based label, Handsome Productions, offers a comprehensive collection of his music on CD, officially endorsed by his estate. As of 2007, the Smog Veil record label is reported to be releasing a Laughner box set (with tapes procured from Handsome Productions, David Thomas, and Tim Wright) which should materialize in late '07 or early '08. Smog Veil announced July of 2008 that the box-set would more likely be released in 2009.
Sylvia Plath
Peter Laughner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But they told me that she finished at the head of her class
And if she lost any virginity
She didn′t lose it too fast
They couldn't hold any dress rehearsals for Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath came into Manhattan
She had crawled from one cocoon
She said, "If I going to be classless and crass
I′m going to break up some glass"
But nobody broke anything sharper than Sylvia Plath
There's no romance in excuses
It's just a dance in the aftermath
And when you check out of this hotel, Jack
You′re nothing but an autograph
The desk clerk wakes up around seven
And he tosses it out with the trash
But he might keep around a couple of letters
Return addressed to Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath woke up and turned on the gas
Then she put her head down
And completely forgot about lighting a match
The rest of the details are just too boring to attach
But let′s see you do one thing as graceful as Sylvia Plath
Aw, let's see you do one thing as graceful as Sylvia Plath
Yes, let′s see you do one thing as senselessly cruel as Sylvia Plath
The song "Sylvia Plath" by Peter Laughner is a melancholic tribute to the renowned poet and author Sylvia Plath, who passed away in 1963 at the young age of 30. The lyrics suggest that Sylvia was a brilliant student, finishing at the top of her class, but was not experienced in matters of romance, perhaps taking things more slowly than others. The line "They couldn't hold any dress rehearsals for Sylvia Plath" could be interpreted as her life ending before she had a chance to practice or experience things fully.
The second verse speaks of Sylvia coming to Manhattan, a place where things were happening, but she found that there was still no excitement in her life. The line "If I'm going to be classless and crass, I'm going to break up some glass" suggests that she was seeking a way to create some sort of chaos in her life, but ultimately didn't find what she was looking for.
The final verse is a bleak depiction of Sylvia's suicide by gas. The line "The rest of the details are just too boring to attach" suggests that the details of her death were mundane and unremarkable. The song concludes with a challenge to the listener, questioning whether they could ever do something as graceful or as senselessly cruel as Sylvia Plath.
Line by Line Meaning
Sylvia Plath was never too good at math
Sylvia Plath did not excel at mathematics
But they told me that she finished at the head of her class
Despite her lack of math prowess, she apparently graduated at the top of her cohort
And if she lost any virginity
She didn't lose it too fast
Sylvia was not quick about losing her virginity, if at all
They couldn't hold any dress rehearsals for Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath was not one to practice or rehearse before presenting herself
Sylvia Plath came into Manhattan
She had crawled from one cocoon
Where there was absolutely nothing happening
Sylvia arrived in New York from a place of monotony
She said, 'If I going to be classless and crass
I'm going to break up some glass'
But nobody broke anything sharper than Sylvia Plath
Sylvia intended to make a loud, brash statement but ended up making the biggest impact herself
There's no romance in excuses
It's just a dance in the aftermath
And when you check out of this hotel, Jack
You're nothing but an autograph
Making excuses for oneself is not romantic, it's just a routine process after failure. When leaving a place, regardless of what one was, they leave a signature behind.
The desk clerk wakes up around seven
And he tosses it out with the trash
But he might keep around a couple of letters
Return addressed to Sylvia Plath
The desk clerk throws away a lot of things in the morning but he may hold onto some letters addressed to Sylvia Plath as a keepsake
Sylvia Plath woke up and turned on the gas
Then she put her head down
And completely forgot about lighting a match
The rest of the details are just too boring to attach
Sylvia turned on the gas but forgot to ignite a flame before bowing out of life
But let's see you do one thing as graceful as Sylvia Plath
Aw, let's see you do one thing as graceful as Sylvia Plath
Yes, let's see you do one thing as senselessly cruel as Sylvia Plath
The song challenges listeners to find someone who can do anything as gracefully, or as senselessly cruelly, as Sylvia Plath did
Writer(s): Peter Laughner
Contributed by Lillian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@fritzidler3480
SYLVIA PLATH
Sylvia Plath
Was never too good at math
But they tell me that she finished
At the head of her class
And if she lost any virginity
She didn't lose it too fast
They couldn't hold any dress rehearsals for
Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath
Came into Manhattan
She had crawled out of one
Cocoon where there was absolutely
Nothing happening
She said, "If I'm gonna be classless and crass
I'm gonna break up some glass"
Nobody broke anything sharper than
Sylvia Plath
There's no romance in excuses
There's just the dance in the aftermath
And when you check out of this hotel Jack
You're nothing but an autograph
The desk clerk wakes up around seven
And he tosses it out with the trash
But he might keep around a couple of letters
Returned addressed to
Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath
Woke up and turned on the gas
Then she put her head down and completely
Forgot about lighting a match
The rest of the details
Are just too boring to attach
But let's see you do one thing as graceful as
Sylvia Plath
Oh let's see you do one thing as graceful as
Sylvia Plath
Yes, let's see you do one thing as senselessly cruel as
Sylvia Plath
@far69way
"Sylvia Plath" Peter Laughner
Sylvia Plath was never too good at math
But they told me that she finished at the head of her class
And if she lost any virginity
She didn't lose it too fast
They couldn't hold any dress rehearsals for Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath came into Manhattan
She had crawled from one cocoon
Where there was absolutely nothing happening
She said, "If I going to be classless and crass,
I'm going to break up some glass,"
But nobody broke anything sharper than Sylvia Plath.
There's no romance in excuses
Just a dance in the aftermath.
And when you check out of this hotel, Jack,
You're nothing but an autograph.
The desk clerk wakes up around seven and he tosses it out with the trash,
But he might keep a couple of letters return addressed to Sylvia Plath.
Sylvia Plath woke up and turned on the gas
Then she put her head down and completely forgot about lighting a match
The rest of the details are just too boring to attach
But let's see you do one thing as graceful as Sylvia Plath.
Aw, let's see you do one thing as graceful as Sylvia Plath.
Let's see you do one thing as senselessly cruel as Sylvia Plath.
@chainrelease
That guy was a genius. A true legend and though so human. Don´t ever forget him, He just entered a recording studio two times, but listening to this, I wonder if someone must at all. That´s just great!
@darbytat2
my heart breaks every time I listen to this, RIP Peter
@japanesehercules
The most heartbreaking and beautiful song I’ve ever heard in my life
@imonlyyou
Indeed! And since then someone posted it on YouTube. "The Johnsons Sylvia Plath"
@OneHotBiscuit
Grew up with the Johnsons' version. Nice to hear the original.
@TheLisergicQueen
. amazing song-tribute for my beloved sylvia ♡ thanx a lot for uploaded this gem!! :)
@57PinkMoon
The other version was recorded by the Johnsons ...off their album, "Break Tomorrow's Day" (1986). You can find it here on YouTube.
@danmontgomery951
The Philly band was The Johnsons from their only LP Break Tomorrow's day. A great album !
@psychick023
The band was called The Johnsons, that's the version I was looking for when I found this one.
@imonlyyou
Many thanks for posting this. Besides Death of Samantha's version, there was another by an alt rock band from (I think) Philadelphia. It came out in the early to mid '80s. Can't think of the name of the band, though...