[7][8] Essayist Chuck Klosterman interpreted the lyrics as Laura "is slowly killing the narrator by refusing to end a relationship that is clearly over.
[6] Klosterman interpreted the song as being sung by a narrator who is not intended to be Billy Joel himself who has a life that seems to be perfect even though he harbors a dark secret in his emotionally "exhausting" relationship with Laura, who may be an ex-wife.
[6] Joel later stated that he "must have been pretty fed up with some of [his] own mother's manipulation by the time [he] wrote the song, as evidenced by the F-word in the lyrics.
"[10] Klosterman views "Laura" as a song that is as good as much of what is on the Beatles' White Album and that "warrant[s] a complete reinvention of how hipsters should look at Joel as a spokesman for the disaffection of success.
"[11] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Dave Lifton rated "Laura" as Joel's 8th best love song, saying that it "perfectly captures the erotic torment that comes with being involved with a woman who you know is no good for you.
"[12] But Rolling Stone Magazine critic Stephen Holden regarded the "venomous" "Laura" as the "only clinker" on The Nylon Curtain, based on its presumed misogyny.