Laura

Billy Joel

About Laura

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


Year:
1982
5:06
177 
#1

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Laura
Calls me
In the middle of the night
Passes on her
Painful information
Then these careless fingers
They get caught in her vice
Til they're bleeding
On my coffee table
Living alone isn't all that
It's cracked up to be
I'm on her side
Why does she push the poison on me?
Laura
Has a very hard time
All her life has
Been one long disaster
Then she tells me
She suddenly believes she's seen
A very good sign
She'll be taking
Some aggressive action
I fight her wars
While she's slamming her doors
In my face
Failure to break
Was the only mistake
That she made
Here I am
Feeling like a fucking fool
Do I react the way exactly
She intends me to?
Everytime I think I'm off the hook
She makes me lose my cool
I'm her machine
And she can punch all the keys
She can push any button I was programmed through
Laura
Calls me
When she needs a good fix
All her questions
Will get sympathetic answers
I should
Be so
Immunized
To all of her tricks
She's surviving
On her second chances
Sometimes I feel like this
Godfather deal is all wrong
How can she hold an umbilical chord
For so long?
I've done everything I can
What else am I supposed to do
I'm her machine
And she can punch all the keys
She can push any button I was programmed through
Laura
Loves me
Even if I don't care
That's my problem
That's her sacred absolution
If she had to
She would put herself in my chair
Even though I
Faced electrocution
She always says
I'm the best friend that
She's ever had
How do you
Hang up on someone
Who needs you that bad?

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Billy Joel

William Martin "Billy" Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man," in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to the RIAA. He also has the third best-selling album in the United States with his Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2. more »

16 fans

Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Album Background
"Laura" is a track from Billy Joel's album "The Nylon Curtain", which was released in 1982.
Song's Duration
The song's duration is 5 minutes and 38 seconds, making it one of the longer songs on the album.
Inspiration for the Song
Billy Joel wrote "Laura" about a tumultuous, toxic relationship. Although specific identities are never given, it is believed that Laura is a symbol for a histrionic personality disorder character in Billy’s life.
Popularity
While "Laura" was not released as a single, it has received considerable radio play over the years, and has become one of Billy Joel's more popular album tracks.
Joel's Skill
"Laura" showcases Billy Joel's ability to combine powerful lyrics with emotionally resonant music. His storytelling abilities are widely celebrated, and "Laura" is a great example of this.
Song’s Style
The song is known for its progressive rock style, which is unusual for Billy Joel. It showcases his range as a musician and composer.
Critical Reception
Critics praised "Laura" for its emotional depth and effective storytelling. It showcases Joel's ability to write about personal and difficult subjects.
Live Performances
While "Laura" is not performed live as frequently as some of Joel's other hits, it has been included in a number of his concerts and live albums.
Variation in Joel's Music
The song presents some variations in Joel's work since it includes semi-operatic sections and fluctuating piano parts that contrast heavily with the relatively consistent rhythmic patterns of the rest of the album.
Influence on Other Artists
Some artists, like Richard Marx, have claimed that "Laura" and other songs on The Nylon Curtain have influenced their own songwriting and performance.
Audio Technology
Billy Joel used the Yamaha CP-80 electric grand piano for this track known for its rich and warm sound quality that greatly contributed to the song's overall production.

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