Laura Nyro, Emmie | Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈

In the 76^th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2025), we highlight “Emmie” performed by singer/songwriter Laura Nyro.

Prepare to beam with P-R-I-D-E 🏳️‍🌈! Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 celebrates, embraces, and spotlights songs by LGBTQ musicians or allies.  Here, we provide background and insight into musicians, analyze, plus go gaga over the decadent bops served up.  When songs dictate deeper and more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is fully articulated.  All styles of music are welcome, whether the songs are classics or brand-new. So, without further ado, in the 76^th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2025), we highlight “Emmie” performed by Laura Nyro.

“Emily and her love to be / Carved in a heart on a berry tree / But it’s only a little farewell love spell.” Those lyrics are nothing short of magnificent. Short-lived Rock Hall of Famer Laura Nyro (1947 – 1997) was a phenomenal songwriter. She possessed an original, innovative spirit, crafting lyrics and musical accompaniments that were complex and unique. “Emmie” is a prime example of Nyro’s musical genius at work.  It is the ninth track from Nyro’s 1968 album, Eli And The Thirteenth Confession. Nyro, who was bisexual but didn’t publicly identify as such, penned this stunning song that is often considered to be a lesbian romantic song. Is it an overt example of such? The poetic lyricism and show select moments where it seems like an indication, but it’s not cut and dry. She produced it with Charlie Calello.

 

On “Emmie,” Nyro’s top-notch musicianship is on full display. The musical accompaniment is lush, with sublime orchestration.  Some of the ear-catching sounds come courtesy of an orchestra, including harp, piano, and vibes, alongside the standard rhythm section instrumentation. Nyro’s vocals are radiant from the beginning, as she expresses desire for Emmie.  “Touch me, oh wake me,” she sings in the first verse, and continues, “Emily, you ornament the earth for me.” The latter lyrics also conclude the second verse. Before that, she poetically characterizes Emily as “The natural snow,” adding, “And I swear, I swear you were born a weaver’s lover / Born for the loom’s desire.” Make of it what you will. Although complex, thanks to a unique harmonic progression, unpredictable melodies, rhythms, tempo changes, and unorthodox approaches, Nyro makes it clear that Emmie is/was a special lady in some context. The bridge distinguishes itself from the two verses that precede, particularly the music itself. What isn’t different is the adoration: “Who stole Mama’s heart and cuddled in her garden?” The outro is also starkly different, picking up the tempo. “She got the way to move me, Emmie,” she sings, and continues, “She got the way to move me, yeah.” Regardless of how it is interpreted, “Emmie” is a terrific oldie that speaks to the genius of Laura Nyro.

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Laura Nyro » Eli And The Thirteenth Confession » Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. » 1968

Laura Nyro, Emmie: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 No. 76 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.; Elias Souza, Mario Spencer, Mizuno K, from Pexels; AcatXIo, All_CC0_Public_domain, CatsWithGlasses, David, ernestflowerss, Kelly, M. Harris, Marek Studzinski, OpenClipart-Vectors, from Pixabay]

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