Laura Branigan had four spectacular hits in her short life. Two of these – ‘Self-Control’ & ‘Gloria’ – were huge in India. We all know the lyrics & I bet we’ve sung them at full volume at some time in our youth.

Like you, I’ve grown up believing that both these were Branigan originals. Only to discover recently that it was yet another one of life’s illusions – both are covers of very popular Italian songs. ‘All India Radio’ hid this information from us. I am devastated and am off to re-examine all the things I’ve held to be true in my life, like May 29th is “Put a Pillow on Your Fridge” day……whaddya mean its not…  

Self-Control is one of the most remembered songs of my late college years in Delhi. I first heard it in a car in May ‘85, enroute to Vasant Vihar from Kashmere Gate, while canvassing for the DCE college elections. I remember my friend saying, “hey you have to listen to this new song, killer hai”. My memory is like an elephant’s, I tell you! …….now, if I only could remember why I came into this room….

Sadly, the original ‘Self Control’ is an ItalDisco English ballad, by an Italian singer called Raf, released in early ’84, three months before Laura’s cover version. Her’s is a kick-ass dance floor filler and immediately went ballistic. That summer, the original by Raf and the cover by Branigan fought each other across Europe for top honours, but Laura won out in the UK & US.

The video for Laura’s version was scandalous and was played on MTV only after cuts were agreed. It’s about a woman pulled into the ‘night world’ of S&M and orgies and losing her self-control…not something that MTV could play until 11pm at night!

Umberto Tozzi: Gloria

Ok I’m going to give it to you with no sugar coating – Laura’s version is an almost exact cover of Umberto Tozzi’s ‘Gloria’ from 1979. Tozzi is a huge star in Italy and ‘Gloria’ has been a hit there since release. Three years later, Brainagan rewrote the lyrics in English, changing the story from a woman that Tozzi is dreaming of meeting one day to a girl who’s running faster than her dreams can keep up with her. But the tune is identical.

Having heard both, I’m no longer sure which version I prefer – what do you think? BTW, I have no idea what those sailors in the back are all about

Laura Branigan: Gloria