"Think of Laura" is a popular song by the American Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriterChristopher Cross. Released as a single in late 1983 from Cross' second studio album, Another Page, "Think of Laura" became the singer's fourth single to reach the Top 10 on the BillboardHot 100 chart, where it peaked at #9 in early 1984. The song spent eleven weeks in the Top 40. In addition, the song became Cross' third single to hit #1 on the adult contemporary chart, following "Never Be the Same" and "Arthur's Theme ". "Think of Laura" remained at #1 on this chart for four weeks. The song was written by Cross and produced by Michael Omartian.
Background
Cross wrote the song to mourn the death of Denison University college student Laura Carter, who was killed in Columbus, Ohio when she was struck by a stray bullet during gunfire in a gang war. Carter, a lacrosse player from Wayne, Pennsylvania, was sitting in the back seat of her father's car. Her family was visiting for homecoming, and had just watched Laura and her friends compete in a lacrosse match. Cross had met Carter through her college roommate Paige McNinch, whom Cross was dating at the time. McNinch was pictured on the inner sleeve of the "Another Page" album, sitting on a stool. Cross wrote the song as a way of offering comfort to McNinch, and honoring Carter's memory. Carter's shooter, Gordon Newlin, served time for the shooting. He was released on parole in 2012. "Think of Laura" has a relatively straightforward arrangement, with the singer's vocals and a piano accompaniment. The lyrics express the sorrow felt by those who knew the woman but ask that she be remembered with happiness: When you think of Laura, laugh, don't cry / I know she'd want it that way.
General Hospital
The song gained popularity when American television network ABC began playing "Think of Laura" in reference to characters on the soap operaGeneral Hospital. One of the program's supercouples, Luke and Laura, were quite popular at the time, and the song came to be associated with the character Luke's love for Laura, who had been missing for many months. Cross allowed ABC to use his song in this context.
Cover versions
The song has been covered by American R&B group Boyz II Men, their version entitled "The Aaliyah Song", as a tribute to the late singer Aaliyah.
