Gloria

Album: Branigan (1982)
Charted: 6 2
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Songfacts®:

  • "Gloria" was first released by the Italian pop singer Umberto Tozzi in 1979; his version was a hit in his home country and popular in other non-English-speaking countries in Europe. When Laura Branigan started work on her first album, she was teamed with producer Greg Mathieson, who did the keyboards and arrangements on Tozzi's "Gloria." He suggested Branigan cover the song, but she was skeptical. When they worked it up with English lyrics, she came around, and the song became a huge hit, this time in many English-speaking territories.
  • In the original Italian version, the singer is longing for Gloria. In Branigan's version, she is addressing Gloria, whose head is scrambled over a guy. Gloria seems to be on the verge of insanity. "Are the voices in your head calling, Gloria?" Branigan asks.
  • Umberto Tozzi wrote this song with the Italian composer Giancarlo Bigazzi. The Canadian songwriter Trevor Veitch, who wrote some of Sheena Easton's hits, worked on Branigan's version and is credited as one of the writers.
  • After touring as a backup singer for Leonard Cohen, Laura Branigan signed with Atlantic Records after auditioning for their chairman, Ahmet Ertegun. Her first single, "All Night With Me," stalled at #69 in the US, but her next single, "Gloria," was a winner. She had an impressive run of hits over the next few years, including "Self Control," which went to #4. That one was also a cover of an Italian song co-written by Giancarlo Bigazzi.

    Branigan's output slowed in the '90s, and in the '00s she took stage work, starring as Janis Joplin in the 2002 off-Broadway musical Love, Janis. In 2004, she died of a brain aneurysm at 52.
  • Branigan's version earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. She lost to Melissa Manchester's "You Should Hear How He Talks About You."
  • The song was also recorded by Sheila B. in French. Interestingly, each version of the song (the original Italian, the Laura Branigan version and the Sheila B. all have somewhat different lyrical meanings, and are not literal translations. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jeff - Scottsdale, AZ
  • Branigan's cover proved popular in non-English-speaking countries as well: In Germany, where the original Italian version went #2, Branigan's English rendition topped the chart.
  • Branigan covered "Ti Amo," another Umberto Tozzi song, on her 1984 album Self Control. Again, the title was the same, but the rest of the words were translated (not literally).
  • The St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League started playing this at home games in 2019 after six of their players experienced the power of the song on January 6 when they were in Philadelphia for a game against the Flyers. The players went to a private club run by the mummers brigade The Jacks NYB, which had adopted "Gloria" as their theme song. That night, the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL won an exciting playoff game against the Chicago Bears. The club played "Gloria," and the place went nuts.

    The players convinced the team to start playing the song at home games after wins, and the crowds loved it. The team, which missed the playoffs the previous year and were off to a sluggish start, upped their game and finished third in their conference. In the playoffs, they made a remarkable run, winning the first Stanley Cup in franchise history when they defeated the Boston Bruins.

    Meanwhile, The Jacks NYB, where the "Gloria" magic originated, became a Blues bar, embracing the team and admitting some fans even if they weren't members.
  • There was renewed interest in the song in January 2021 after a video emerged of it being played at President Donald Trump's "Save America Rally" just prior to the storming of the United States Capitol.

Comments: 52

  • WowWay to take a discussion about a great song and make it political. Some of you are giving free rent away in your head...
  • Rita From California from Bay AreaI take the song to be one admonishing a drug user, especially if you change “Gloria” to “euphoria”.
    “Meeting on the main line” —I think main lining is a drug term, and references to “voices in your head” and selling oneself to get money, sounds as possibly pertaining to a drug induced lifestyle.
  • Mary from Coachella ValleyLove this song but was very disappointed when Trump used it - some of lyrics are accurate for him, though: voices in his head (narcissist), they’ve got your number ( we see through you) , and if everybody wants you why isn’t anybody calling” ( 8 million didn’t call!)
  • Dorice from Providence,riJust heard this song on B101. Never get tired of hearing it. Great song!
  • Bruce from OregonIn the Fall of 1982, I was stationed on the USS Inchon and at the time deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Lebanon. "Gloria" was very popular and our CCTV station had 2 video copies of the song. One night, for about 3-4 hours we kept requesting the VJ keep playing the video's. For 2000 sailors and marines locked inside a 600 foot ship for months at time, Laura and "Gloria" was a nice fantasy. Many guys from the ship wrote to her during that patrol and on December 28th, Laura responded with a telegram to the ship's crew thanking us for the letters. She wrote: "To all of my friends just wanted to write and wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I was thrilled to receive your letters and a picture of your ship. God bless you all and know that my thoughts and my love is with you. Hope to see you in Virginia at the end of February. I love you all. Laura Branigan"
  • KaraWell, Trump ruined that.
  • Aurelia Becker from Grand Rapids, Michigan Such a great tune! Thank you President Trump for re introducing this epic song to us and making this an EVEN BIGGER Hit! We love you President Trump! 3/9/21
  • Dave from Santa Rosa CaA shame the qanon president ruined this song for all of us. A terrific tune. Well sung.
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenI read that a number of Blues fans were wanting to meet/see the diva who sang the song they had adopted as their anthem, only to learn the sad news that she had died 15 years earlier.
  • Heather from St. Louis, MissouriDuring the 2018-2019 NHL season, "Gloria" became the unofficial anthem of the St. Louis Blues, being played after every win. Last night (05/21/19) the Blues made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 49 years! Laura Branigan is now a lucky charm and legendary in St Louis, and we wish she was still around to sing it for us at a home game in this last round.
  • Gloria from Belrose Nsw AustraliaI am an Australian of Italian extraction with the name 'Gloria'. When introduced to new faces, they immediately start singing the Laura Branigan hit. Yesterday I heard the original version sung in Italian, on a local radio station in Sydney Australia. WOW, now I'll ask them to view the YouTube version and see which one is best! Salutti,
  • Robert from Indiana Laura Branigan wasn't 47 when she passed away she was 52!!
  • Joe Chamberlin from LouisvilleIt's about the feminist Gloris Steinem.
  • Harvey Wachtel from Kew Gardens, NyNot quite psychotic; neurotic, and on the brink: note "I think you're headed for a breakdown" way up front. I infer this is due to a traumatic breakup ("was it something that he/they said" throughout), but the lyrics, like those of so many good songs, are deliberately vague.

    One intriguing feature of these lyrics is that they are sung in the explicit first person by a dispassionate narrator who has no apparent place within the narrative, a one-person Greek-chorus. An artistic touch.
  • George from Vancouver, CanadaThree possibilities, per the lyrics:
    A) Gloria is a prostitute
    B) Gloria is fooling around on her husband
    C) Something else, the writer intended

    Whichever you believe it is says far more about you than it does about the song itself.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 5th 1987, Laura Branigan performed "Shattered Glass" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'*...
    Three weeks earlier on August 16th, 1987 the song peaked at #48 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart...
    In France it did make the Top 10; it peaked at #8...
    * This 'Bandstand' episode was the final show to be aired on the ABC-TV network; it had a thirty year run on ABC and did continue for three more years on the USA cable channel and in syndication.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 30th 1982, Laura Branigan performed "Gloria" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was at #13 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and four weeks later on November 21st, 1982 it peaked at #2 {for 3 weeks} and spent well over a half-year on the Top 100 {36 weeks}...
    The first two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record was "Truly" by Lionel Richie and for the 3rd week it was "Mickey" by Toni Basil that was in the top spot...
    And on February 7th, 1983 it reached #1 {for 7 weeks} on the Australian Kent Music Report chart...
    Between 1982 and 1990 she had thirteen Top 100 records; three made the Top 10, her other two Top 10 records were "Solitaire" in 1983 {peaked at #7 for 2 weeks} and "Self Control" in 1984 {reached #4 for 2 weeks}...
    Sadly, Ms. Branigan passed away on August 26th, 2004 at the young age of 47...
    May she R.I.P.
  • Emily from Chatsworth, CaThis incredible song,like much of her best work, details the emotions, experiences, and inner turmoil of an mk ultra (mind control) victim. "Gloria" is an alter that was created through Monarch type programming and ritual abuse. Listening to her sing it is a powerful experience every single time. Sick and beautiful.
  • David from Irving, VaOh, and to add:

    She doesn't get call backs from the other guys she has dated, because they all figured out her game, which is marrying for benefit and not necessarily love.
  • David from Irving, VaThe song is not about a prostitute. It's a pretty common theme and many artists/bands have sung about it. It's called a woman who is looking for marriage in a way that will benefit her, whether she really loves the guy or not.

    Will he get this guy when he is doing well on his own, or does she get him after something bad and he is down and looking for comfort. If the guy isn't a person she really loves to be with, then she can always take another lover.
    Hence the lyrics:
    "Will you meet him on the main line, or will you catch him on the rebound?
    Will you marry for the money, take a lover in the afternoon?"

    The other lyrics suggest that she feels that she can get a guy she wants, even though she has been in the process a while and failed multiple times.
  • Heaven from Elmont, NyCan't believe no one realized this song is obviously about a Call girl/prostitute.
    The "Voices in your head" are memories of all the men she slept with. The true meaning of the song is revealed in the 2nd verse

    "Gloria - How's it gonna go down Will you meet him (THE CLIENT) on the main line
    Or will you catch him on the rebound Will you marry for the money (meaning give him his fantasy for the money)
    Take your lover in the afternoon. (another client) Feel your innocence slippin' away
    Don't believe it's coming back soon (self explanatory) And you really don't remember (probably from being drugged a commonly used method for call girls)
    Was it something that they said All the voices in your head (The many men she bedded)
    Calling GLO-RI-A

    and the chorus says "I think they got your number" meaning literally. "Think they got your Alias you been living under (Most call girls never use their REAL name, so Gloria was probably her Real name)

    That's what I got out of it. Brilliant writing however. Back in the 70's and 80's people had to write in codes. it was not acceptable to just write a song about something so risque.
    Read more at http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/138025/#Xqb5R9JRkYh2pTKS.99
  • Robert from Newcastle, United Kingdom@Mjn Seifer
    Theme from Dempsey & Makepeace possibly?
  • Jorge from Bronx, NyI believe the movie this song was created,had the same name Gloria with Gena Rowlands,great movie,though
  • Nancy from Washington, DcSo...what is the song about? I don't get it! Who is Gloria and what's wrong with her?
  • Stephen from Melbourne, AustraliaFor some reason, when I listen to the song more closely, I am reminded of a female sports star, like a tennis player or a swimmer, or even a long distance runner.
    The voices in her head could be the crowd cheering her on, "Gloria! Gloria! Gloria! go Gloria"
    The singer could be a close girlfriend giving her a pep talk or something. "Gloria, go out there and do your best, but at the same time, be careful it doesn't all go to your head."
  • Stephen from Melbourne, Australiawhen I was little I used to think she was talking about all the voices in her head calling her name, her name being Victoria. Haha.
    Then a few years back I heard the song on the radio, and due to my partial deafness I couldn't make out all of what she was saying, so I googled the phrase "all the voices in your head" and got the correct lyrics.
    It was only then that I discovered that the song was called "Gloria", and this was the song the news media was referring to just after she died, saying how it was a big hit for her.
    What a sad sad loss.
  • Paula from Laredo, Txawesome voice;who cares what it means? and if it has to mean something to me at least it's always felt like someone is yearning for her (Gloria) but can't have her kind-of-thing
  • Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiThis is my favorite Laura Branigan Song.Is this Gloria paranoid or a stalker or something? RIP-Laura,I love your songs.
  • Budoshi from Sandnessjøen, NorwayCarola made a very good swedish version
  • Paul from Washington Dc, DcWhen I first heard this song I was absolutely sure that it was ABBA.
  • Jessica from Tulsa, OkMaybe all the voices in her head are her thoughts running around because she's blindly optimistic? I don't know. Seems like she has trouble trying to find someone because the lyrics have "will you meet him on the mainline or catch him on the rebound". I don't think she's psychotic or anything. Really good song though.
  • Daniel from Farmingdale, NyI have never been able to listen to the lyrics of this song and figure out what it's about for the simple reason that I was always over-whelmed by the sheer power of Laura Branigan's voice. All I could do was marvel at the amazing sound I was hearing. Comparing Laura to the other top female vocalists of her day was like comparing a Ferrari to a Volkswagon. She could simply sing rings around the competition. What a tragic loss for her to die at such a young age.
  • Andreq from Mackinaw, Ili think this song was made out of revenge the the lady who wrote is saying haha.the song actually sounds like an argument gloria if they really want you why isn't anyone calling?
  • G-man,nj from Bradley Beach,nj, NjThe song portends a woman who feels so persued that she has hidden herself from her surroundings, to the extent that she has even adopted an alias. Yet, in her mind, her paranoid,
    obsession, of BEING STALKED, continues to plague her. I'm so sorry for you Gloria B!

  • Soutiman from Mumbai, IndiaIt's a wonderful feel-good song with a very catchy synth hook. Could listen to it many more times.
  • Kelley from 95060, CaPeople are commenting on the words "all the voices in your head, calling Gloria"

    There are a couple of things it could mean.

    The first is - This woman thinks she's Go-d's gift, and now she's finding out she's not and she has to face what she is, or has become.

    In this case, the voices are her imaginings of all the men she's met calling out for her, while facing the paradoxical situation of no one calling her on the phone.

    Second, very similar actually, is that she has suddenly become very humble, for some reason, unmentioned, and she's hearing her conscince as it pokes and prods her. But if she was humbled by something, it must have been her behavior while thinking she was somethign special.

    I believe the answer that makes the best sense is that this woman has done something and is suffering from the self recrimations of embaressment for past bad behavior.

    Haven't you ever been embaressed or ashamed when you suddenly became (or were made aware of) your behavior? This isn't meant to demean anyone, it's just a sort of "ya know what I mean?" :)
  • Kelley from 95060, CaLaura Branigan also used the song Der Kommisar, as a tune. The lyrics were significantly changed, but if you were to read both sets of lyrics, they tell an interesting story.

    I think this was on her second album.
  • Stefano from Rome, ItalyIt is a luck they didn't translate literally this song from Italian. The original lyrics are made of isolated love thoughts about a woman called Gloria, some of which having no sense themselves. "Manchi a questa mano che lavora piano" = "This slowly working hand misses you". Horrible. Many of the early Tozzi's composition had good tunes and terrible lyrics.
  • Mary from Phoenix, AzSorry...I forgot to add that it was Season 6 of CHiPs, episode #16. (1983) The name of the episode is "Fox Trap" She played "Sarah"
  • Mary from Phoenix, AzLaura also appeared in an episode of "Chips"...as a singer. I'm not sure, but I do believe she sang this song.
  • Mjn Seifer from Not Listed For Personal Reason, EnglandEver felt nostalagic and didn't know why?

    I *KNOW* this song sounds like the theme from a show that I watched as a kid (Or at least an "OST" From it) but I can't think which one!!
    It's not the first time i've done this either ("Sunday Girl" by Blondie reminds me of a show called "Daphodil Farm" and a song by Bob Marley is like "Banana Splits")

    But this is just a mystery and I can't sovle it :P
  • Lalah from Wasilla, AkThis song also appeared in the movie Flashdance.
  • Raja from , Tni heard this song when i was so young ,eventhough i don't know the lyrics or the meaning of this song at that age(6 or7) i heard it repeatedly so much i can't remember how many times .i just want to say it is still a best song.
    may laura's soul rest in peace.
    26:04:2006
    j.s raja, tamilnad ,india
  • Jordan from Haddam, CtWhy does she have voices in her head? Is gloria psychic or sumthin? Honestl, she dont remember, meaning she has amnesia. Paranoia, Psychic, and Amnesia. Sounds like me. Hook me up with this gloria.
  • George from Richmond, VaAbsolutely fell in love with this song and the singer.
  • Jesse from Haddam, Ct What? Is like laura trying to take some girl's ego down? Voices in her head? Paranoia I guess?
  • Mike from Warwick, RiOur school system had a school spirit contest in 1985 to see who could fill out the most index cards saying - "______ has the most school spirit" (or something like that - where _____ was obviously the school name). Anyhow, we had teachers letting us spend the hour filling these index cards out and we blew away the other high schools in the area. Anyhow, the prize, offered by Y-100 and the school system was a Laura Branigan concert where she played in our Gym. Ah, those were such good times. She played this song three times and we all danced and got crazy!
  • Jo from Sydney, AustraliaDoes anyone know what this song is about? Someone who is desperate to find a man but are they schizophrenic as well?
  • Tsung-tse from Taipei City, TaiwanWhile I was listening to Laura's greatest hits, I was reading the bad news on August 26, 2004. I was shocked and very sad.
    She had come to Taiwan where I lived around 1985.
    although I was 2 years old at that time. I was expecting her to come to Taiwan again but unfortunately, this become an impossible dream. Anyway, her songs are always with us.
  • Joe from Adelaide, AustraliaAs good as Lauras was, Umberto Tozzi's version was superior. He also had another great song that got played a bit here called Ti Amo
  • James from San Bernardino, CaRest in peace, Laura.
    She was finally making a comeback, and had done well Off-Bway in "Love, Janis"
  • Ivica from Prague, Czech RepublicSadly, Laura had passed away in her sleep 26th of August 2004 of a Brain aneurysm.
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