“Laurel” is an atmospheric mid-tempo ballad featuring strings, harpsichord, and vibraphone which give it a darkly cinematic feeling.
The song takes its name from (and is told from the point-of-view of) the doomed heroine in Dorothy B. Hughes’s 1947 novel In a Lonely Place.
[Verse 1]
Looking for light
A golden light
Red, red hair
And almond eyes
[Verse 2]
Searching for love
A wallet's hot
The price is right
It's money for love
[Verse 3]
Looking for light
A golden light
With your red, red hair
And almond eyes
[Chorus]
Laurel, you came here
[Verse 4]
Looking for light
A golden light
With your red red hair
Your almond eyes
[Verse 5]
Strange how he's cold
Behind the smile
An angry mind
Don't wait for tonight
[Verse 6]
Lying for lies
A golden lie
Your red, red hair
Your almond eyes
[Chorus]
Laurel, you came here
Laurel came here
[Bridge]
Fear is a fog
Rolling in and around
[Chorus]
Laurel whispers from inside
Laurel, running out of time
Laurel was written by Alison Goldfrapp & Will Gregory.
Laurel was produced by Goldfrapp.
Evoking the world of noir and mystery novels was a primary goal on “Laurel.” Alison Goldfrapp elaborated in a 2013 interview with The Independent:
I don’t really like film noir. I think the books they’re based on are way more exciting and evil and gritty and explicit. I got really into Patricia Hig...