5 Hidden Meanings In Laufey's "From The Start" Lyrics That Explain Your Unrequited Love

Since its release in 2023, Laufey’s breakout single "From the Start" has become a global phenomenon, captivating a new generation with its blend of modern jazz-pop and classic romance. As of this current date, December 11, 2025, the song remains one of the most streamed tracks for the Grammy-winning Icelandic-Chinese artist, resonating deeply with listeners who understand the pain and ambiguity of unrequited love.

The song is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a masterclass in lyrical subtlety, using classic jazz structures to articulate a very modern, relatable feeling. We’re diving into the "From the Start" lyrics to uncover the true meaning behind the song's most poignant lines, exploring how Laufey uses musical and lyrical cues to tell a story of a one-sided crush.

The Artist Behind the Music: Laufey's Biography and Profile

Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir, known simply as Laufey (pronounced "lay-vay"), is an Icelandic-Chinese composer, singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has been instrumental in bringing jazz to Gen Z. Her unique background and musical training are the foundation of her distinct sound.

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• Full Name: Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir
• Origin: Reykjavík, Iceland (with Chinese heritage)
• Musical Style: Jazz Pop, Classical, Bossa Nova, Smooth Jazz
• Instruments: Cello, Piano, Guitar
• Education: Graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston (2021)
• Career Highlights: Debut single "Street by Street" (2020), Grammy Award winner, breakthrough album Bewitched (2023)
• Family Background: Her mother is a classical violinist, and Laufey performed as a cello soloist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at a young age.
• Current Status: LA-based artist, critically acclaimed for her nostalgic yet fresh sound.

The Lyrical Breakdown: Decoding the Ambiguity of "From the Start"

"From the Start," the lead single from her acclaimed 2023 album Bewitched, is a perfect encapsulation of Laufey's ability to blend old-school romance with contemporary insecurity. The lyrics are meticulously crafted to explore the internal monologue of someone falling for a friend who is frustratingly oblivious.

1. The Silence That Speaks Volumes

The song opens immediately with a core theme of silent yearning:

"Don't you notice how / I get quiet when there's / No one else around? / Me and you and awkward silence"

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This line perfectly captures the anxiety of being alone with a crush. The phrase "awkward silence" is a sharp, modern contrast to the smooth, timeless nature of the jazz arrangement. It’s a moment of vulnerability where the singer's feelings are so overwhelming they cannot speak, a stark departure from the typical verbose declarations of love in classic jazz. It’s the feeling of knowing the silence is only awkward because one person knows the truth and the other doesn't.

2. The Frustration of the Oblivious Friend

The central conflict of the song hinges on the friend's innocent, yet painful, actions:

"Don't you dare look at me that way / I don't need reminders"

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This is a direct confrontation of the 'nice' gestures that feel like torture. The friend is likely being kind, perhaps even flirtatious without realizing it, which the singer interprets as a cruel reminder of what she can't have. This line is crucial for the song’s topical authority, as it speaks directly to the Gen Z experience of emotional complexity and the internal struggle to maintain a friendship while harboring deeper feelings.

3. The Classic Imagery of Cupid

Laufey pays homage to her jazz and classical influences with one of the most romantic lines:

"That when I talk to you / Oh, Cupid walks right through / And shoots an arrow through my heart"

The invocation of Cupid is a deliberate nod to the golden age of jazz and Hollywood romance. It contrasts sharply with the earlier "awkward silence," suggesting that while her outward experience is modern and anxious, her internal feeling of falling in love is a timeless, mythological, and overwhelming event. This blend of classic imagery with modern context is a hallmark of Laufey's style.

4. The Pain of a One-Sided Reality

The chorus is where the main thesis of the song is revealed, an emotional gut-punch for anyone who has experienced unrequited love:

"I knew from the start / That I’d fall for you / I knew from the start / That I’d break my heart"

This is the most powerful moment of the entire song. It’s not about a sudden realization, but a pre-ordained heartbreak. The singer knew the risk of falling in love with this person from the very beginning. This lyric elevates the song from a simple crush story to a tragic tale of self-awareness and acceptance, where the heartbreak is a predictable, self-inflicted wound. This lyrical maturity is what separates "From the Start" from typical pop love songs.

5. The Final Plea for a Simple Friendship

The song concludes with a desire to revert to a simpler time, before the feelings took hold:

"Can we go back to the start? / Before I broke my heart"

The final line is a heartbreaking, yet ultimately futile, wish. The singer is trapped in the reality of her feelings, wishing she could undo the emotional damage. It solidifies the song’s theme of accepting a painful truth rather than fighting it, leaving the listener with a feeling of melancholic resignation. This theme of emotional complexity is a key driver of the song's virality on platforms like TikTok.

The Musical Genius: Why "From the Start" Sounds So Timeless

Laufey's appeal and the reason "From the Start" feels so fresh yet nostalgic is her seamless integration of multiple musical entities and genres. Her music is often described as smooth jazz or jazz pop, but the influences run much deeper, giving the song its rich, cinematic quality.

The song features a bossa nova rhythm, a Brazilian musical style that became popular in the 1960s. This specific rhythm gives the track its light, sophisticated, and slightly swaying feel, reminiscent of legendary artists like Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto. This choice of rhythm for a song about emotional turmoil creates a beautiful tension: the music is calm and cool, while the lyrics are anxious and burning.

Laufey is often compared to classic jazz vocalists such as Sarah Vaughn and Chet Baker. Her vocal delivery on "From the Start" is breathy and intimate, a style that was perfected by these jazz legends. The use of a simple, elegant chord progression—a staple of traditional jazz—makes the song feel instantly familiar, like a rediscovered gem from a bygone era. Her training in classical music, particularly the cello, informs her arrangement choices, ensuring the instrumentation is lush and sophisticated, elevating the song above standard pop fare.

By consciously drawing on the entities of classic jazz, bossa nova, and classical music, Laufey has achieved a rare feat: creating a song that is both a viral sensation and a critically respected piece of music. "From the Start" is not just a song about unrequited love; it's a bridge between musical generations, proving that the themes of the human heart are truly timeless.