Laura

you say that they've all left you behind your heart broke when the party died drape your arms around me and softly say "can we dance upon the tables again?"

when your smile is so wide and your heels are so high you can't cry get your glad rags on and lets sing along to that lonely song

you're the train that crashed my heart you're the glitter in the dark oh, laura, you're more than a superstar

and in this horrorshow i've got to tell you so laura, you're more than a superstar

you say that you're stuck in a pale blue dream and your tears feel hot on my bed sheets drape your arms around me and softly say "can we dance upon the tables again?"

when your smile is so wide and your heels are so high you can't cry put your gladrags on and lets sing along to that lonely song

you're the train that crashed my heart you're the glitter in the dark oh, laura you're more than a superstar

you'll be famous for longer than them your name is tattooed on every boy's skin oh, laura, you're more than a superstar

you're the train that crashed my heart you're the glitter in the dark oh, laura, you're more than a superstar

and in this old horrorshow i've got to let you know laura, you're more than a superstar

you're more than a superstar

I believe the most direct meaning of the song is about growing up, maturity, and getting left behind. People often get lost when they become adults. When you're young and in your early 20's, life is a party. But eventually you get tired of the madness and settle into your life. Which is why Laura's heart broke when the party died. Her friends grew up and stopped their crazy nights, but Laura was afraid to mature and become boring. That's why she says they've left her behind, since her friends didn't wait for her to grow up. And now Laura is stuck in a haze. She's too old to keep partying, but never learned how to be responsible. She's asking Natasha to have just one more crazy night together (where they can dance on tables). It's breaking Natasha's heart to see her friend struggle with her life, especially since Laura is a bright, fun person (glitter in the dark). She says Laura is more than a superstar because she is. Laura is more then this party lifestyle she now wanders aimlessly in.

I saw Bat For Lashes perform this song tonight in one of it's first performances. Not sure if it elucidates any meaning but Natasha said before the song 'does anyone else have a step-son? This is the hardest song of all' which made the lyrics all the more baffling as the song is about a girl (Laura) rather than a boy (step-son). Natasha was very emotional singing the song - she had tears in her eyes throughout - which I've never seen before and I've seen BFL about 7 times before. This song means something very special to her.

From a Pitchfork article: 'The fact that Khan and Parker completed the song in just two hours is even more remarkable considering what went on the night prior to their session. "My housemate and I had had an extremely debauched house party, like nothing I'd ever experienced before-- it was so bad!" Khan hoots through her laughter. "It ended up with seven people in the shower, Black Sabbath, dancing on the table. The next day, I had the biggest hangover ever, and I had to go and write this song."'

Laura might be Khan or maybe someone else specific or perhaps a generic stand-in for "hungover party guest." It's got some biting imagery and a beautiful, minimalist arrangement. Fantastic song.

Well, I think that "Laura" is Natasha and actually everbody of us. "When your smile is so wide and your heels are so high, you can´t cry..." It means that she can´t show her real emotions in public life. As how each of us, when we are sad, unhappy or when we have melancholic mood, we can´t just seat and cry. Sometimes we have to pretend we are happy and everything is OK. And if you saw some Bat for lashes´s interviews, you could see how she´s smiling all the time. She looks so happy and optimistic. But her song prove us, that she is sad sometimes. But she just can´t show it.

And also I think, that this song is about love, which is destroying us and we know it. "You're the train that crashed my heart you're the glitter in the dark..." But we also know, that we need it, because it´s the only think, which can save us. It´s our glitter in the dark and it gives us a hope...

PS: Sorry for my english :)

Think I unraveled part of the mystery of "Laura", as everyone is wondering who it's about. It's likely about actress/singer Nell Campbell whose real name is Laura Campbell. She was in ''The Rocky Horror Picture Show''

The video for this song reminds me of a friend dying of AIDS, which he caught 25 years ago. My dancing with him made his evening once a few years ago. (I am female). S/He only wanted to be seen as a human being. I can't watch this video without thinking of him/her.

i adore this song, one of my friends used to sing the chorus to me all the time (my name is actually laura).

it seems to just be that this girl, laura, is having a rough time, she's got really low self-esteem, she doesn't love herself enough. the singer is telling her that she is so important to her (the train that crashed my heart), and she is beautiful (the glitter in the dark), and is someone that the singer really looks up to - but she is more than what the singer thinks she is, and she is more than she will ever think she is (more than a superstar). i just think that this song is about a strong and beautiful friendship :)

this song is absolutely beautiful. natasha is as amazing as ever. can't wait for the new album. :)

I'm not sure if she's singing about one of her alter ego's, like Pearl. Or an actual Laura. Nevertheless. The song is absolutely breathtaking. I think we all have a 'Laura' in our lives. Whether she's an alter ego or an actual person.