Complete List Of Laura Marling Songs From A to Z

Laura Marling Songs

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Laura Marling grew up in Berkshire, England, where her early exposure to music through her father’s recording studio sparked a deep connection to songwriting and storytelling. By the time she was a teenager, she had developed her unique voice and style, blending folk traditions with modern lyrical introspection. Marling moved to London at seventeen, immersing herself in the city’s vibrant folk scene, where she initially joined the band Noah and the Whale before launching her solo career. Her distinct songwriting quickly earned attention for its maturity and emotional depth, leading to her first record deal and setting her on a path toward becoming one of Britain’s most respected singer-songwriters.

In 2008, Marling released her debut album Alas, I Cannot Swim, which was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, a rare honor for a debut artist. The album, anchored by songs like “Ghosts” and “My Manic & I,” introduced listeners to her delicate yet powerful storytelling, often exploring themes of love, self-doubt, and growth. Her follow-up, I Speak Because I Can (2010), was produced by Ethan Johns and marked a significant artistic leap, featuring richer arrangements and deeper explorations of womanhood, earning her a BRIT Award nomination for Best British Female Solo Artist. It debuted at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and was also nominated for another Mercury Prize, reinforcing her growing critical acclaim.

Marling’s third studio album, A Creature I Don’t Know, arrived in 2011, once again produced by Ethan Johns. The album reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and demonstrated her increasingly confident songwriting, blending jazz-inflected melodies with intricate acoustic work. Songs such as “Sophia” and “Salinas” highlighted her lyrical depth and genre-blending approach. The following year, she won the BRIT Award for Best British Female Solo Artist, solidifying her place among the most respected voices of her generation. By this point, Marling had fully established herself as a force in the folk and singer-songwriter worlds, recognized for both her songwriting prowess and understated but commanding stage presence.

Marling continued her evolution with Once I Was an Eagle in 2013, a sprawling, critically acclaimed album often hailed as one of her finest works. Peaking at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart, it showcased her ability to weave songs into a continuous narrative flow, with highlights like “Master Hunter” and “Where Can I Go?” reflecting both emotional vulnerability and resilience. The album received widespread acclaim for its thematic ambition and musical complexity, earning her another Mercury Prize nomination. Two years later, she released Short Movie (2015), a more experimental album that introduced electric guitar and bolder arrangements to her sound, marking a shift in her musical trajectory and lyrical focus on independence and self-reflection.

Her sixth album, Semper Femina, released in 2017, was produced by Blake Mills and explored themes of femininity, relationships, and personal identity. The album debuted at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. Songs like “Soothing” and “Next Time” demonstrated her continued lyrical introspection paired with lush, atmospheric production. Marling’s careful exploration of gender dynamics and inner emotional worlds resonated with listeners and critics alike, furthering her reputation as an artist unafraid to challenge herself and her audience.

In 2020, Marling released Song for Our Daughter, an album inspired in part by Maya Angelou’s Letter to My Daughter, despite Marling not having children of her own. The record was released early in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, intended as a gesture of comfort during a difficult time. Praised for its emotional intimacy and stripped-down production, Song for Our Daughter reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. Tracks like “Held Down” and “Strange Girl” offered some of her most personal songwriting to date, earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album and critical acclaim for her ability to blend storytelling with universal themes of care and compassion.

Outside of her recording career, Marling has been involved in various artistic collaborations and projects that highlight her creative breadth. In 2016, she co-founded the podcast Reversal of the Muse, a series focusing on women in music and gender dynamics within the industry. Through interviews with artists and industry figures, Marling used her platform to explore the challenges women face in music, further establishing her as an advocate for gender equity. Her contributions to music have also been recognized through numerous nominations and awards, including multiple Mercury Prize nods, a Grammy nomination, and a BRIT Award win.

With a discography that includes seven studio albums, each reflecting a different stage of her artistic and personal journey, Laura Marling has become a singular voice in contemporary folk music. Her ability to merge poetic lyricism with nuanced instrumentation has earned her widespread respect among fans and critics alike. Marling’s thoughtful explorations of identity, relationships, and emotional landscapes continue to resonate, solidifying her legacy as one of the most important and influential singer-songwriters of her generation.