From the Start Lyrics: Laufey’s Jazz-Pop Ode to Unrequited Love
The Heart of From the Start: Themes and Emotions
The From the Start song lyrics tell the story of a narrator grappling with unspoken love for a close friend. Laufey describes it as “the ultimate friends-to-lovers song for all your delusional daydreams,” blending humor with the raw vulnerability of unrequited affection. The From the Start lyrics meaning lies in its honest portrayal of the awkwardness and pain of loving someone who sees you only as a friend. The song’s jazz-infused melody, with its gentle guitar and orchestral strings, creates a dreamy backdrop that enhances its emotional weight, making it a standout among Laufey romantic lyrics.
The From the Start song meaning hinges on the tension between hope and heartache. Lines like “Don’t you notice how / I get quiet when there’s no one else around?” reveal the narrator’s shyness and longing in private moments, while the chorus—“Cupid walks right through / And shoots an arrow through my heart”—captures the overwhelming rush of unreciprocated feelings. This universal theme, paired with Laufey’s playful yet poignant delivery, has made the song a viral hit on platforms like TikTok, where fans share their own stories of one-sided love.
Full Lyrics and Verse Breakdown
Below are the From the Start full lyrics, showcasing Laufey’s lyrical craftsmanship:
Verse 1
Don’t you notice how
I get quiet when there’s no one else around?
Me and you and awkward silence
Don’t you dare look at me that way
I don’t need reminders of how you don’t feel the same
Pre-Chorus
Oh, the burning pain
Listening to you harp on ’bout some new soulmate
“She’s so perfect,” blah, blah, blah
Oh, how I wish you’ll wake up one day
Run to me, confess your love, at least just let me say
Chorus
That when I talk to you
Oh, Cupid walks right through
And shoots an arrow through my heart
And I sound like a loon
But don’t you feel it too?
Confess I loved you from the start
Verse 2
What’s a girl to do?
Lying on my bed, staring into the blue
Unrequited, terrifying
Love is driving me a bit insane
Have to get this off my chest
I’m telling you today
Pre-Chorus
That when I talk to you
Oh, Cupid walks right through
And shoots an arrow through my heart
And I sound like a loon
But don’t you feel it too?
Confess I loved you
Chorus
Confess I loved you from the start
Confess I loved you
Okay, I loved you from the start
Outro
Confess I loved you from the start
A From the Start Laufey verse meaning reveals the song’s emotional arc. The first verse sets the scene with the narrator’s quiet vulnerability when alone with their friend, flustered by their gaze but pained by their indifference. The pre-chorus introduces jealousy, as the friend raves about a “new soulmate,” amplifying the narrator’s longing for a confession that never comes. The Laufey lyrics From the Start in the chorus are the emotional peak, with vivid imagery of Cupid’s arrow symbolizing uncontrollable love. The second verse deepens the narrator’s turmoil, lying awake in despair yet determined to confess, capturing the “terrifying” nature of unrequited love. The outro’s repetition of “Confess I loved you from the start” is both a plea and a release, encapsulating the song’s raw honesty.
Music and Production
The Laufey new song lyrics in “From the Start” are elevated by its lush production, co-crafted by Laufey and Spencer Stewart, a fellow Berklee College of Music alumnus. The track’s bossa nova-inspired rhythm, with its swinging guitar and elegant string arrangements, evokes the jazz standards of Ella Fitzgerald, one of Laufey’s influences. Her soft, expressive vocals glide over the melody, creating an intimate, nostalgic vibe that feels both vintage and fresh. The minimalist instrumentation—piano, strings, and light percussion—allows the lyrics of From the Start by Laufey to shine, making it a perfect blend of old-school jazz and modern pop.
The song’s 2:49 runtime feels effortless, its brevity amplifying its emotional impact. Released via AWAL on May 11, 2023, it was recorded at Mosey Creative Studio, reflecting Laufey’s hands-on approach as a multi-instrumentalist who plays piano and cello. The track’s production complements its Laufey romantic lyrics, creating a sound that’s both timeless and relevant to Gen Z listeners.
The Music Video: A Visual Dreamscape
The From the Start music video, released on August 21, 2023, is a vibrant reflection of Laufey’s creative vision. Directed by Laufey and Jason Lester, it offers a peek into her mind while writing the song, blending whimsical and melancholic elements. The video features Laufey in a retro-inspired setting, dancing through a colorful, dreamlike world with scenes of her playing the guitar and cello. Animated hearts and stars swirl around her, symbolizing the giddy yet painful emotions of unrequited love. A standout moment shows Laufey in a 1950s-style diner, gazing longingly at a friend who’s oblivious to her feelings, mirroring the From the Start lyrics meaning.
The video’s pastel aesthetic and playful choreography contrast with the song’s heartache, capturing Laufey’s ability to balance humor and vulnerability. It premiered on YouTube with a live chat, drawing thousands of fans who praised its authenticity. The video’s viral success on TikTok, where fans used it to create their own “friends-to-lovers” content, further boosted the song’s reach, aligning with Laufey’s goal to make jazz accessible to her generation.
Cultural Impact and Reception
The From the Start song lyrics struck a chord with listeners, propelling the song to over 92 million streams by August 2023, as Laufey noted in a social media post. Its viral spread on TikTok, where users paired it with videos of their own unrequited crushes, cemented its status as a Gen Z anthem. Critics hailed the song’s “brutal honesty,” with Laufey herself noting its straightforward lyrics resonate because “a lot of people have felt that way before.” The track’s blend of jazz, bossa nova, and pop made it a standout in Laufey 2023 lyrics, helping Bewitched break Spotify’s record for the biggest first-day streams for a jazz album, with 5.7 million on September 8, 2023.
The song’s success also reflects Laufey’s broader impact. As a 26-year-old Icelandic-Chinese artist, she’s been dubbed a “TikTok jazz ambassador” for reviving the genre among younger audiences. Her debut album, Everything I Know About Love (2022), topped Billboard’s Alternative New Artist chart, and Bewitched won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2024 Grammys, with “From the Start” as a key driver. Its moderate chart success in Canada, New Zealand, and the UK underscores its global appeal.
Laufey Artistic Journey and Influences
Laufey’s background shapes the From the Start full lyrics and their emotional depth. Born in Reykjavík to an Icelandic father and Chinese mother, she grew up between Iceland, Washington, D.C., and Beijing, immersing herself in jazz standards from her father’s record collection. A cello soloist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at 15, she also competed in Ísland Got Talent (2014) and The Voice Iceland (2015). After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2021, she released her debut single “Street by Street,” which topped Icelandic radio charts, followed by her EP Typical of Me (2021).
Her influences—Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and bossa nova legends like João Gilberto—infuse the Laufey lyrics From the Start with a vintage charm. Yet, her modern storytelling, rooted in Gen Z experiences like social media and digital romance, makes the song relatable. This fusion of old and new has positioned her among Laufey popular songs like “Valentine” and “Let You Break My Heart Again,” establishing her as a leading voice in traditional pop.
Live Performances and Covers
Laufey’s live renditions of “From the Start” amplify its emotional resonance. She debuted the song at Manila’s Filinvest Tent on May 30, 2023, with her twin sister Junia on violin, as captured in a special live version shared online. Her performance at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in September 2023 was a highlight, showcasing her orchestral prowess. The song also featured at festivals like Java Jazz (Jakarta) and Ottawa Jazz, selling out venues across Asia and Australia.
Covers of “From the Start” by artists like HUH YUNJIN of LE SSERAFIM and Good Kid, plus remixes like a lo-fi version by Mei Mei The Bunny, highlight its versatility. A string quartet edition and sped-up version further showcase its adaptability, making it a favorite for fan interpretations on social media.
Symbolism and Lyric Analysis
A Laufey lyric breakdown of “From the Start” reveals its rich symbolism. The “awkward silence” in the first verse symbolizes the unspoken tension of unrequited love, while “Cupid’s arrow” in the chorus evokes the uncontrollable nature of infatuation. The phrase “staring into the blue” in the second verse paints a vivid picture of loneliness, with blue representing both the sky and the narrator’s melancholy. The From the Start lyrics explained highlight Laufey’s use of simple yet direct language, avoiding metaphor-heavy poetry to convey raw emotion.
The song’s “friend zone” narrative resonates with modern audiences, as social media often amplifies the complexities of unspoken crushes. Laufey’s playful line “I sound like a loon” adds self-awareness, acknowledging the irrationality of hoping for reciprocation while embracing the delusion of love. This balance of humor and heartache makes the From the Start song meaning universally relatable.
Connection to Bewitched and Laufey’s Evolution
As the tenth track on Bewitched (2023), “From the Start” sets the tone for an album exploring love’s highs and lows. Unlike her debut Everything I Know About Love, which focused on youthful romance, Bewitched delves into deeper emotional territory, with Laufey 2023 lyrics showcasing maturity. Tracks like “Lovesick” and “Promise” complement “From the Start” with their introspective takes on relationships, but its upbeat bossa nova rhythm makes it the album’s most accessible single.
Laufey’s evolution from a Berklee student to a Grammy winner is evident in the song’s polished production and confident vocals. Her ability to blend jazz, pop, and classical elements has redefined the genre, with “From the Start” as a blueprint for her success. Its viral spread and critical acclaim underscore her role in bringing jazz back to mainstream audiences.
FAQs About From the Start Lyrics
1. What is the From the Start lyrics meaning?
The From the Start lyrics meaning centers on unrequited love for a friend who doesn’t reciprocate, capturing the narrator’s vulnerability, jealousy, and hope for a romantic confession.
2. What are the key lyrics of From the Start by Laufey?
Key lyrics of From the Start by Laufey include “Cupid walks right through / And shoots an arrow through my heart” and “Confess I loved you from the start,” highlighting intense, unreturned affection.
3. How does the From the Start music video reflect the song?
The From the Start music video uses retro visuals, animated hearts, and a diner setting to mirror the song’s playful yet painful take on unrequited love, blending whimsy with melancholy.
4. How does From the Start fit among Laufey popular songs?
Among Laufey popular songs like “Valentine” and “Let You Break My Heart Again,” From the Start stands out for its bossa nova vibe and viral TikTok success, amplifying Laufey’s jazz-pop appeal.
5. What is the From the Start Laufey verse meaning?
The From the Start Laufey verse meaning explores shyness and jealousy (Verse 1) and the torment of unspoken love (Verse 2), with lines like “staring into the blue” evoking loneliness.
6. How was Laufey new song lyrics received in 2023?
Laufey new song lyrics in “From the Start” were praised for their honesty, with the song’s 92 million streams by August 2023 and TikTok virality cementing its cultural impact.
7. Why is From the Start considered one of Laufey romantic lyrics?
Laufey romantic lyrics in “From the Start” capture the giddy yet painful experience of unrequited love, blending humor and vulnerability in a way that resonates with fans.
Conclusion From the Start lyrics
The From the Start lyrics by Laufey are a masterful blend of jazz-pop nostalgia and modern storytelling, capturing the universal ache of unrequited love. Through its From the Start full lyrics, Laufey crafts a narrative that’s both deeply personal and widely relatable, with vivid imagery and a bossa nova rhythm that enchants listeners.
The From the Start music video and live performances, from Manila to the Hollywood Bowl, amplify its emotional resonance, while its viral success on TikTok underscores its place among Laufey popular songs. As a cornerstone of Laufey 2023 lyrics, “From the Start” showcases her ability to revive jazz for a new generation, blending vintage sounds with contemporary emotions. Whether you’re drawn to the Laufey lyric breakdown or the song’s dreamy melody, it’s a timeless anthem for anyone who’s loved from afar.
