Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)

Marty Robbins

About Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)

"Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Leon Ashley. Recorded in 1967 and released on his own Ashley Records label, the song was his only No. 1 single that September. Frankie Laine and Brook Benton took cover versions to the pop and Adult Contemporary charts that year, while Claude King, Marty Robbins and Kenny Rogers charted their own versions on the country charts.


Year:
2004
3:49
137 
#1

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Laura, hold these hands and count my fingers
Laura, touch these lips you once desired
Lay your head upon my chest, hear my heartbeat
Gently run your fingers through my hair
Mmm, touch these ears that listened to your wishes
Most of them fulfilled, and that's a lot
Let your soft gentle hands caress my body
And then tell me what he's got that I ain't got
Oh, yes tell me what he's got that I can't give you
Well, it must be something I was born without
You took an awful chance to be with another man
So tell me what he's got that I ain't got
 
Laura, see these walls that I built for you
Laura, see this carpet that I laid
See those fancy curtains on the windows
Touch those satin pillows on your bed
Laura, count the dresses in your closet
Note the name upon the checkbook in your bag
And if there's time before I pull this trigger
Then tell me what he's got that I ain't got
Oh, yes tell me what he's got that I can't give you
Well, it must be something I was born without
And if there's time before I pull this trigger
Then tell me what he's got that I ain't got
Laura, tell me what he's got that I ain't got
Laura, tell me what he's got

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Marty Robbins

Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. One of the most popular and successful country and Western singers of his era, for most of his nearly four-decade career, Robbins was rarely far from the country music charts, and several of his songs also became pop hits. more »

12 fans

Written by: BILLY JOEL

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artists
The song "Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)" was recorded by multiple artists, including Kenny Rogers, Leon Ashley, and Marty Robbins.
Original Performance
The song was originally performed by the country singer Leon Ashley. Ashley's version was released in 1967 and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
Songwriters
"Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)" was co-written by Leon Ashley and his wife, Margie Singleton.
Kenny Rogers's Version
Kenny Rogers, a huge country-pop crossover artist of the 70s and 80s, covered the song in 1976 for his album "Kenny Rogers".
Marty Robbins Version
Marty Robbins' version of "Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)" was included in his studio album "R.F.D." in 1964, three years before Ashley's version.
Song Theme
The song discusses a desperate man's attempts to understand why his love interest, Laura, is leaving him for another man.
Chart Performance
When Kenny Rogers covered the song, it didn't top the charts like Ashley's original did, but it did make it to number 19 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
Unique Achievement
With "Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)", Leon Ashley became the first country artist to have a number one hit with a self-written song that he produced and published himself.
Other Notable Covers
Besides Rogers and Robbins, other artists like Frankie Laine, Brook Benton, and Claude François have also recorded their own versions of the song.
Laura's Perspective
Interestingly, Margie Singleton (co-writer of the song) also recorded a response song from Laura's perspective, titled "Laura (Do You Love Me)"; it talks about why she left her partner. The song didn't chart but it added a deeper dimension to the original song.

Discuss the Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got) Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got) Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/7434306/Marty+Robbins/Laura+%28What%27s+He+Got+That+I+Ain%27t+Got%29>.

    Missing lyrics by Marty Robbins?

    Know any other songs by Marty Robbins? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)

    38,416
    233     5

    more tracks from the album

    Here's to the Ladies

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Dennis DeYoung is more known as a member of which band?
    A Stryper
    B Styx
    C The Hollies
    D Air Supply

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Marty Robbins tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!