Laura (Billy Joel song)

Last updated
"Laura"
Song by Billy Joel
from the album The Nylon Curtain
A-side "Pressure"
ReleasedSeptember 23, 1982
RecordedSpring 1982
Studio
Genre
Length5:05
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Billy Joel
Producer(s) Phil Ramone

"Laura" is a song written by Billy Joel that was first released on his 1982 album The Nylon Curtain .

Contents

Lyrics and music

Producer Phil Ramone described the song as being "philosophical and dark." [1] The lyrics of "Laura" depict the singer as being co-dependent on a woman named Laura. Musicologist Walter Everett describes Laura as being "an aggressive woman who traumatizes the singer." [2] He can't resist taking her phone calls, even though he knows she is trouble and that his efforts to help will only lead to more problems. [3] She calls him in the middle of the night and pushes his emotional buttons. [4] [5] According to music critic Mark Bego, Laura appears to be a friend, as the lyrics such as "Living alone isn't all that it's cracked up to be" seem to imply that the singer is reflecting on how his "newfound bachelorhood isn't as much fun as he had hoped it to be." [4] In his frustration with Laura, Joel inserts an f-bomb into the lyrics, surprising listeners who regarded Joel simply as a balladeer. [6] [7] Essayist Chuck Klosterman interpreted the lyrics as Laura "is slowly killing the narrator by refusing to end a relationship that is clearly over. [5] Klosterman interpreted the song as being sung by a narrator who is not intended to be Billy Joel himself who has a life that seems to be perfect even though he harbors a dark secret in his emotionally "exhausting" relationship with Laura, who may be an ex-wife. [5]

At the time of its release, Joel stated that "Laura" was not written about his own ex-wife, or about a girlfriend. [8] He stated that it is about "the guilt you get from someone in your family who knows just how to stick the knife in and wear you down." [8] He went on to generalize the theme by stating that "You'd be surprised how many people have a destructive relationship and don't know it. Nobody has a right to do that to you; it's against the law. [8] Joel's drummer Liberty DeVitto eventually disclosed that "Laura" was actually written about Joel's own mother Rosalind. [4] DeVitto suggested that the title "Laura" was chosen because it has two syllables, just like the word "mother" does. [4] According to Klosterman, Joel confirmed the fact that "Laura" was about his mother in an interview with him, and that Joel noted in the interview that the line in the song "How can she hold an umbilical cord for so long" should have been a giveaway. [5] Joel later stated that he "must have been pretty fed up with some of [his] own mother's manipulation by the time [he] wrote the song, as evidenced by the F-word in the lyrics." [6]

The music of "Laura" contains Beatle-esque elements. [3] [4] [7] Dave Lifton of Ultimate Classic Rock states that the verses sound like John Lennon while the refrain sounds like Paul McCartney, comparing the song to the Beatles' "I've Got a Feeling." [7] Bego claims that the music lies somewhere between Lennon's "Dear Prudence" and McCartney's "Maxwell's Silver Hammer." [4] Author Ken Bielen describes "Laura" as "an unabashed tribute to the Beatles" claiming that the vocals sound similar to the Beatles, the lead guitar sounds similar to George Harrison's, the drumming sounds similar to Ringo Starr's and even the string instruments sound like George Martin's arrangements for the Beatles. [3] Joel acknowledged the Beatle influence on the "la la's and the guitar break." [6] He also suggested that he may not have been able to write "Laura" if he "hadn't first heard how deep John [Lennon] went with his song 'Mother.'" [6]

Critical reception

Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated "Laura" as part of an opening "song suite" to The Nylon Curtain that is "layered, successful, mature pop that brings Joel tantalizingly close to his ultimate goal of sophisticated pop/rock for mature audiences." [9] Klosterman views "Laura" as a song that is as good as much of what is on the Beatles' White Album and that "warrant[s] a complete reinvention of how hipsters should look at Joel as a spokesman for the disaffection of success." [5] Jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli rated "Laura" among his "favorite things." [10] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Dave Lifton rated "Laura" as Joel's 8th best love song, saying that it "perfectly captures the erotic torment that comes with being involved with a woman who you know is no good for you." [11] But Rolling Stone Magazine critic Stephen Holden regarded the "venomous" "Laura" as the "only clinker" on The Nylon Curtain, based on its presumed misogyny. [12] Everett writes about how Joel uses a more "freely vernacular" tonal language than in other songs in order to express his views about the subject of the song. [2]

A live version of "Laura" was included on the 2006 album 12 Gardens Live . [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Mind Games</i> (John Lennon album) 1973 studio album by John Lennon

Mind Games is the fourth solo studio album by English musician John Lennon. It was recorded at Record Plant Studios in New York in summer 1973. The album was released in the US on 29 October 1973 and in the UK on 16 November 1973. It was Lennon's first self-produced recording without help from Phil Spector. Like his previous album, the politically topical and somewhat abrasive Some Time in New York City, Mind Games received mixed reviews upon release. It reached number 13 in the UK and number 9 in the US, where it was certified gold.

<i>The Nylon Curtain</i> 1982 studio album by Billy Joel

The Nylon Curtain is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on September 23, 1982, and produced by Phil Ramone.

<i>Glass Houses</i> (album) 1980 studio album by Billy Joel

Glass Houses is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on March 12, 1980. It features Joel's first song to peak at No. 1 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart, "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me". The album itself topped the Pop Albums chart for six weeks and was ranked No. 4 on Billboard's 1980 year-end album chart. The album is the 41st best selling album of the 1980s, with sales of 7.1 million copies in the U.S. alone. In 1981, Joel won a Grammy Award for "Best Male Rock Vocal Performance" for his work on Glass Houses. According to music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, the album featured "a harder-edged sound" compared to Joel's other work, in response to the punk and new wave movements. This was also the final studio album to feature the original incarnation of the Billy Joel Band, augmented by new lead guitarist David Brown. Multi-instrumentalist Cannata left the band just before the sessions began for Joel's next studio album, 1982's The Nylon Curtain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Instant Karma!</span> 1970 single by Lennon/Ono with the Plastic Ono Band

"Instant Karma!" is a song by English rock musician John Lennon, released as a single on Apple Records in February 1970. The lyrics focus on a concept in which the consequences of one's actions are immediate rather than borne out over a lifetime. The single was credited to "Lennon/Ono with the Plastic Ono Band", apart from in the US, where the credit was "John Ono Lennon". The song reached the top five in the British and American charts, competing with the Beatles' "Let It Be" in the US, where it became the first solo single by a member of the band to sell a million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angelenos</span> 1974 song by Billy Joel

"Los Angelenos" is a song written by Billy Joel that was first released on his 1974 album Streetlife Serenade. A live version was released on the 1981 album Songs in the Attic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honesty (Billy Joel song)</span> 1979 single by Billy Joel

"Honesty" is a song by American singer and songwriter Billy Joel. Columbia Records released the song as the third US single from his sixth studio album 52nd Street (1978) in 1979. "Honesty" was solely written by Joel, while production was handled by Phil Ramone. The song appears on the Dutch and Japanese editions of Greatest Hits Volume 2, replacing "Don't Ask Me Why" (1980).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's Got a Way</span> 1971 single by Billy Joel

"She's Got a Way" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, originally released on his first studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971) as the opening track of it and as a single from that album in some countries. It was also featured as a single from the 1981 live album Songs in the Attic, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodnight Saigon</span> 1983 single by Billy Joel

"Goodnight Saigon" is a song written by Billy Joel, originally appearing on his 1982 album The Nylon Curtain, about the Vietnam War. It depicts the situation and attitude of United States Marines beginning with their military training on Parris Island and then into different aspects of Vietnam combat.

"Everybody Loves You Now" is a song written by Billy Joel. It was first released on his 1971 debut album Cold Spring Harbor and was also released as a b-side to his singles "She's Got a Way" and "Tomorrow Is Today." Live versions were included on the albums Songs in the Attic, 12 Gardens Live and Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Until the Night</span> 1979 single by Billy Joel

"Until the Night" is a song written by Billy Joel for his 1978 album, 52nd Street. Although passed over for single release in the US, "Until the Night" was issued as the second single from 52nd Street in the UK - following "My Life" - in March 1979 and reached #50 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Root Beer Rag</span> 1974 instrumental by Billy Joel

"Root Beer Rag" is a composition from Billy Joel's 1974 album Streetlife Serenade. An instrumental track in a very fast ragtime style, it was later released as the B-side of several singles from Joel's 52nd Street album, including "Big Shot" in the US, "Until the Night" in the UK, and "Honesty" in Japan and some European countries. A live version was included with the DVD that was part of the 30th anniversary re-release of The Stranger.

"Out the Blue" is a song written by John Lennon and originally released on his 1973 album Mind Games. The song is included on the 1990 boxset Lennon, the 2005 two-disc compilation Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon, the 2010 album Gimme Some Truth and the 2020 compilation album Gimme Some Truth. The Ultimate Mixes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meat City</span> 1973 song by John Lennon

"Meat City" is a song written by John Lennon, released as the 12th and final track on his 1973 album Mind Games. The song is also the B-side of the single of the same name, and is included on the 2010 album, Gimme Some Truth.

"New York City" is a song written by John Lennon that was first released on Lennon's and Yoko Ono's 1972 Plastic Ono Band album Some Time in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What You Got (John Lennon song)</span> 1974 single by John Lennon

"What You Got" is a song written by John Lennon that was first released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges. It was later released as the B-side to his top 10 #9 Dream single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midsummer New York</span> 1971 single by Yoko Ono

"Midsummer New York" is a song written by Yoko Ono that was released as the opening song of her 1971 album Fly and also as the b-side of the single "Mrs. Lennon."

"Zanzibar" is a song written by Billy Joel and recorded for his 1978 album 52nd Street. It has also appeared on several live albums.

"Scandinavian Skies" is a song written by Billy Joel that was first released on his 1982 album The Nylon Curtain. Commentators have noted its Beatle-esque elements and obscure lyrics. Joel has stated that the song was inspired by an experience with heroin. Although not released as a single, it reached #38 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" is a song written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono that was first released on their 1972 Plastic Ono Band album with Elephant's Memory, Some Time in New York City. The song addresses the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972 and is one of two on the album that addresses the contemporary Northern Ireland conflict, "The Luck of the Irish" being the other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beef Jerky (instrumental)</span> 1974 Instrumental by John Lennon

"Beef Jerky" is an instrumental written by John Lennon that was released on his 1974 album Walls and Bridges and also as the b-side of the lead single from that album, the #1 hit "Whatever Gets You thru the Night."

References

  1. ↑ Ramone, Phil & Granata, Charles L. (2007). Making Records: The Scenes Behind the Music. Hyperion. p.  45. ISBN   9780786868599.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. 1 2 Everett, Walter (2000). "The learned vs. the vernacular in the songs of Billy Joel". Contemporary Music Review. 18 (4): 105–129. doi:10.1080/07494460000640051. S2CID   191308431.
  3. 1 2 3 Bielen, Ken (2011). The Words and Music of Billy Joel. ABC-CLIO. p. 60. ISBN   9780313380167.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bego, Mark (2007). Billy Joel: The Biography. Thunder's Mouth Press. p.  187. ISBN   9781560259893.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Klosterman, Chuck (2010). The Billy Joel Essays: Essays from Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs and Chuck Klosterman IV (Chuck Klosterman on Pop). Simon & Schuster. ASIN   B0042JSSD6.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Schruers, Fred (2014). Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography. Crown/Archetype. p. 151. ISBN   9780804140201.
  7. 1 2 3 Lifton, Dave (September 23, 2015). "33 Years Ago: Billy Joel Channels the Beatles on 'The Nylon Curtain'". Ultimate Classic Rock . Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  8. 1 2 3 Campbell, Mary (October 30, 1982). "Bill Joel Uses Seven Fingers at the Piano". Daytona Beach Morning Journal . p. 12D. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  9. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Nylon Curtain". Allmusic . Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  10. ↑ Pizzarelli, John & Cosgriff, Joseph (2012). World on a String: A Musical Memoir. John Wiley & Sons. p. 246. ISBN   9781118222287.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ Lifton, Dave (February 13, 2013). "Top 10 Billy Joel Love Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  12. ↑ Holden, Stephen (October 14, 1982), "Music Reviews : The Nylon Curtain by Billy Joel", Rolling Stone, archived from the original on 20 February 2009, retrieved 2016-04-16
  13. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "12 Gardens Live". Allmusic . Retrieved 2016-04-16.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.