“It’s Very Literal”: The Universal Heartbreak That Helped Laufey Write One of Her First Hits

There’s no doubt Icelandic artist Laufey is one of the most unique emerging artists of the 21st century. She is single-handedly helping repopularize the styles of bossa nova and classical while innovating jazz pop. Beginning her career at the young age of 15, Laufey was a solo cellist in the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, she was a finalist on Iceland’s Got Talent and was a semifinalist on The Voice Iceland.

Laufey released the single “From The Start” on May 10, 2023, and the song broke records. It became the biggest single debut for a jazz artist on Spotify, with over one billion streams, and exceeded over 200 million total. The song’s popularity through social media earned her second studio album, Bewitched, a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. In 2024, Laufey explained the meaning behind “From The Start”, and there’s no mysterious depth to the lyrics. It’s exactly as it sounds.

Behind The Lyrics of “From The Start”

In an interview with Genius in 2024, Laufey broke down the meaning behind “From The Start”.

“When you’re in high school or middle school, and you have a friend. You kind of like them, and you’re listening to them talk about someone they like. It’s kind of this sinking feeling,” Laufey further explained “I was always very sheltered, I never really dared to express how I felt about someone. For this, I wrote this confession into a song.”

In the lyrics, Laufey is very direct about how she feels about the person who doesn’t feel the same way. The opening lines get right to the point. “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.“

The chorus of the song helps drive in the point, finishing with the lines “And I sound like a loon, but don’t you feel it too? / Confess I loved you from the start.” The song captures the feeling of a universal heartbreak, loving someone who doesn’t love you back.

Further Success for Laufey

In 2026, Laufey will be headlining her largest tour yet. The Icelandic jazz pop singer will also be performing at Coachella in April. If it’s anything like her Lollapalooza performance in 2024, those attending are in for a treat. In 2024, Laufey took the Lollapalooza stage with the Chicago Philharmonic Symphony, the first orchestra to play at the festival.

Laufey continues to bring a unique approach to bossa nova, incorporating modern themes and expressions on top of traditional jazz tones.