From The Start

"From The Start" by Laufey is a poignant and deeply relatable exploration of unrequited love, specifically the painful experience of being in love with a close friend who does not reciprocate those feelings. The song captures the internal monologue of someone trapped in the 'friend zone,' navigating the complex emotions of longing, jealousy, and hope. The central theme is the narrator's silent suffering and their desperate wish for their feelings to be understood and returned. Laufey masterfully blends a cheerful, breezy Bossa Nova melody with melancholic and vulnerable lyrics, creating a powerful juxtaposition that highlights the bittersweet nature of the situation. The lyrics convey the awkwardness and tension of being alone with one's crush, the pain of hearing them talk about another love interest, and the internal battle between keeping silent and the overwhelming need to confess one's true feelings. Ultimately, the song is a heartfelt confession, a declaration that the narrator's love has been present and unwavering from the very beginning, even if it has remained unspoken.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of someone deeply in love with a close friend who is oblivious to their feelings. The song begins by highlighting the palpable, awkward silence that falls between them when they are alone, a stark contrast to their usual dynamic. This quietness is a direct result of the narrator's intense, unspoken emotions. They silently plead with their friend not to look at them with a certain kindness that only serves as a painful reminder of the unreciprocated nature of their affection.

The pain sharpens when the friend enthusiastically talks about a new romantic partner, describing them as 'so perfect.' The narrator internally dismisses this chatter as 'blah, blah, blah,' a defense mechanism to cope with the jealousy and heartache of hearing about their love interest's happiness with someone else. This moment crystallizes the narrator's internal conflict and deep-seated yearning.

A recurring daydream punctuates the song: a fantasy where the friend suddenly has an epiphany, runs to the narrator, and confesses their love. This imagined scenario is a stark contrast to the painful reality. The narrator feels as though Cupid's arrow has struck them, making them feel foolish and lovesick, and they desperately wonder if their friend feels any of the same connection. The core of the song is this heartfelt, silent confession: 'I loved you from the start.' It's a truth the narrator has held onto, a secret that defines their relationship from their perspective.

As the song progresses, the narrator's internal turmoil becomes more pronounced. They lie in bed, staring into space, overwhelmed by the 'unrequited, terrifying love' that is driving them 'a bit insane.' This frustration and emotional exhaustion build to a point of resolution. The narrator decides they can no longer bear the weight of their secret and makes a firm decision to confess their feelings, resolving that 'I'm telling you today.' The song concludes with a powerful reiteration of the central confession, a final, unwavering declaration of a love that has been present and true from the very beginning, solidifying the emotional journey from silent pining to a courageous resolve to speak their truth.

"From The Start" was released on May 11, 2023, as the lead single from Laufey's second studio album, Bewitched. The song was co-written and co-produced by Laufey and her fellow Berklee College of Music alumnus, Spencer Stewart. Laufey has described Stewart as a 'musical soulmate,' noting that their collaboration blends her knowledge of jazz and classical with his understanding of modern pop music. She was inspired by listening to a lot of Bossa Nova records and wanted to create a playful song in that style, combining what she calls 'old sounds with modern lyrics.' The song was written in her bedroom, born from the idea of the 'friends to lovers trope' and the feeling of falling for a friend who doesn't feel the same way. Laufey intended for the lyrics to be brutally honest and literal, a direct confession of love that she felt many people could relate to. The song also features Laufey playing the cello, layering the instrument to create the effect of a string orchestra.

"From The Start" is built upon a rhythmic and rhyming structure that is both sophisticated and effortlessly catchy. The song's foundation is a classic Bossa Nova rhythm, characterized by its syncopated, gentle groove that invites listeners to tap their feet. This breezy, relaxed tempo creates a poignant contrast with the lyrical theme of anxious, unrequited love. The interplay between the light, danceable musical rhythm and the heavy-hearted lyrical rhythm is a key element of the song's emotional complexity. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and effective, often following patterns like AABB or ABCB within its verses, which contributes to its memorable, song-like quality. Laufey uses mostly perfect rhymes (e.g., around/sound, way/same, day/say) which makes the lyrics flow smoothly and enhances the song's pop sensibility. The conversational phrasing and straightforward rhymes make the intricate emotions feel accessible and direct, as if listening to a friend's personal confession.

"From The Start" showcases a distinctive blend of musical and literary techniques that define Laufey's unique style.

• Musical Fusion: The song's most notable feature is its genre fusion, blending a breezy Brazilian Bossa Nova rhythm with the structures of modern Jazz Pop. This creates a sound that is both nostalgic and contemporary. The arrangement is built on a gentle, swinging rhythm, elegant string arrangements, and Laufey's soft, expressive vocals.
• Conversational Lyrics: The lyrical style is intentionally direct, honest, and conversational, mirroring an internal monologue or a diary entry. Phrases like "She's so perfect, blah, blah, blah" introduce a modern, almost internet-era sensibility into the classic jazz framework, making the song highly relatable to a younger audience.
• Vocal Delivery: Laufey employs a velvety, warm vocal tone that enhances the song's intimate atmosphere. Her performance includes a sultry scat break, showcasing her technical skill and jazz influences, which adds a layer of musical sophistication and playfulness.
• Instrumentation: The song features a mix of live-sounding instruments, including acoustic guitar, bass, and subtle percussion, which gives it an organic feel. A significant technique is Laufey's use of her own cello playing, which she layers to create a rich, orchestral string sound, particularly in the song's outro, representing what she considers her two 'voices': singing and cello.

"From The Start" achieved significant cultural impact shortly after its release, becoming a viral sensation primarily through the social media platform TikTok. Its relatable theme of unrequited love resonated widely, with users creating countless videos sharing their own similar experiences. The song's success on the platform propelled it to remarkable streaming numbers; it surpassed 1 million streams in its first 24 hours and has since garnered hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify. This success helped Laufey's album Bewitched break the record for the biggest debut day for a jazz album in Spotify's history. The single charted in several countries, including Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US Bubbling Under Hot 100. Critically, the song solidified Laufey's position as a prominent figure in the contemporary revival of jazz and traditional pop for a Gen-Z audience, earning her praise for making the genres accessible and modern. Its popularity has been a key factor in her rapid rise, leading to sold-out tours and a Grammy win for the album Bewitched.

While "From The Start" is known for its direct and conversational lyrics, it employs subtle metaphorical elements to deepen its emotional impact.

• Cupid's Arrow: The lyric, "Oh, Cupid walks right through and shoots an arrow through my heart," is a direct and classic metaphor for falling in love instantly and uncontrollably. It frames her love as something fated and powerful, almost an external force she couldn't prevent, which contrasts with the unreciprocated reality of the situation.
• "Blah, blah, blah": This seemingly flippant phrase is a powerful symbol of the narrator's defense mechanism. It represents her attempt to mentally block out the painful details of her crush's new romance, reducing the enthusiastic praise to meaningless noise to protect herself from jealousy and hurt. Laufey noted this is a very modern lyric set against the classic, jazzy sound.
• Awkward Silence: The recurring theme of silence when the two are alone is symbolic of the unspoken feelings and the emotional distance between them. While they are physically close, the silence represents the vast, unbridgeable gap created by the narrator's hidden love.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the titular line, "Confess I loved you from the start." This line functions as the emotional core and central thesis of the entire narrative. It appears in the chorus and is reprised at the end, acting as both a desperate, internal plea and a powerful, definitive statement of her feelings' longevity and sincerity. Its repetition drills home the central conflict: a love that has existed since the beginning but has remained a secret. A slight but powerful variation occurs in the outro, where the line shifts to "I know I've loved you from the start." This change signifies a move from a desire to confess to an internal, solidifying acceptance of her own feelings, a moment of personal clarity and resolve. Another recurring motif is the imagery of unspoken communication, seen in the opening lines about getting quiet and the plea, "Don't you dare look at me that way," which highlights the tension of a relationship defined by what is left unsaid.