I have a theory that every song with the name Laura in it is somehow associated with death. It can be the literal definition of death and dying, as in the song “Tell Laura I Love Her” (Ray Peterson) or “Think Of Laura” (Christopher Cross). It can be about the death of a relationship, like with these three Bright Eyes songs “Landlocked Blues”, “Laura Laurent” and “Lua” (about a Laura who committed suicide).

“And somewhere Alfie cries,
and says, ‘enjoy his every smile.”
You can see in the dark,
through the eyes of ‘Laura Mars.’
How did it go so fast –
You’ll say as we are looking back.
And then we’ll understand,
we held gold dust in our hands.”

“Gold Dust” by Tori Amos
from the album, Scarlet’s Walk (2002)
Song Of The Day – February 9, 2011

The Laura-connection reaches from music into the cinematic realm. The film Laura (which I’m named from) is about a detective who falls for an alleged dead woman’s picture (a woman named Laura), or Laura Palmer of ‘Twin Peaks’, inspired by the film Laura.

Tori Amos’ song “Gold Dust” though only references a film character, Laura Mars. Laura Mars, in the film Eyes Of Laura Mars (1978), is a character who has visions of murder (murder = death, yep). And the song feels a bit like death, too. The death of a past existence, a past life, a past adventure.

I’ve read that “Gold Dust”, which is the last track on Tori’s 2002 album, Scarlet’s Walk, is about a woman who is pregnant and is looking back at her life, as she tries to find some peace in all of it. Mourning loss, learning from mistakes, remembering where she once was.

Perhaps that makes the song more about life – which is a new corner to turn for my name in a song. Thank you, Tori. Let’s have more Laura’s who stay alive please.

I’ve read that the song, which is the Last Track from the Album Scarlett’s Walk, is about a woman who is pregnant and is looking back at her life and trying to find some peace to all of it. Mourning losses, learning from mistakes, remembering where she once was.

Perhaps that makes this song about life, as well, which could be a new corner turned for my name within a song.