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Spectrum
Florence + the Machine Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When we first came here
We were cold and we were clear
With no colors on our skin
We were light and paper-thin
And when we first came here
We were cold and we were clear
With no colors on our skin
'Til you let the spectrum in

Say my name
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again
Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again

And when we come for you
We dressed up all in blue
With the ocean in our arms
Kiss your eyes and kiss your palms
And when it's time to pray (better pray to God)
We'll be dressed up all in gray
With metal on our tongues
And silver in our lungs

Say my name
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again
Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again

And when we come back we'll be dressed in black
And you'll scream our names aloud
And we won't eat and we won't sleep
We'll drag bodies from the ground

So say my name
And every color illuminates
And we are shining
And we'll never be afraid again
Say my name
As every color illuminates

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again
Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again

Say my name
We are shining
Say my name
Say my name
And we'll never be afraid again

Overall Meaning

The song Spectrum by Florence + the Machine seems to be about self-discovery and empowerment. The opening lines of the song suggest that initially, the singer and the others were uncolored or colorless with no identity of their own. However, this changes when they come across someone who "lets the spectrum in." The 'spectrum' here could be a reference to a new understanding of themselves that they gained, or it is possible that this outside source is finally seeing them for who they are and allowing them to be themselves. They then declare that they are shining and will never be afraid again.


The verse that follows seems to be a continuation of the same idea, but the imagery is different. This time, they talk about dressing up in blue with the ocean in their arms, as they come for someone. The next line then says that when it's time to pray, they dress up in gray with metal on their tongues and silver in their lungs. These images are slightly disturbing but give the impression that the singers have a new sense of power and confidence.


The chorus repeats the idea that the singer is shining, and every color illuminates when their name is spoken. This seems to be a metaphor for the idea that they have come into their own and are now shining their unique light into the world. The final verse is quite ominous, talking about being dressed in black as they come back, screaming their names aloud, and dragging bodies from the ground. However, despite these darker images, they end the song with the same message of empowerment and pride.


Line by Line Meaning

When we first came here
When we arrived at this place


We were cold and we were clear
We were aloof and hard-hearted


With no colors on our skin
Our skin was devoid of colors


We were light and paper-thin
We were weightless and fragile


Till you let the spectrum in
Until you showed us the spectrum of colors


Say my name
Call out my name


And every color illuminates
All colors become vibrant and visible


We are shining
We shine radiantly


And we will never be afraid again
And we will not experience fear again


And when we come for you
And when we arrive to take you


We dressed up all in blue
We wear blue attire


With the ocean in our arms
Holding the sea in our arms


Kiss your eyes and kiss your palms
We kiss your eyes and your palms


And when it's time to pray (better pray to god)
When it's time to pray (it's better to pray to God)


We dressed up all in gray
We wear gray clothing


With metal on our tongues
With metal on our tongues


And silver in our lungs
And silver in our lungs


And when we come back we'll be dressed in black
And when we return we will be donning black


And you'll scream our names aloud
And you will scream our names loudly


And we won't eat and we won't sleep
We won't eat or sleep


We'll drag bodies from the ground
We will remove bodies from the ground


We are shining
We shine radiantly


Say my name, as every color illuminates
Call out my name, as all colors become vibrant and visible


Say my name
Call out my name


And we will never be afraid again
And we will not experience fear again


We are shining
We shine radiantly




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Paul Richard Epworth

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@azizous

Spectrum"

When we first came here
We were cold and we were clear
With no colors in our skin
We were light and paper thin

And when we first came here
we were cold and we were clear
With no colors in our skin
'Til we let the spectrum in

Say my name
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

And when we come for you
We'll be dressed up all in blue
With the ocean in our arms
Kiss your eyes and kiss your palms

And when it's time to pray
We'll be dressed up all in grey
With metal on our tongues
And silver in our lungs

Say my name
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

And when we come back we'll be dressed in black
And you'll scream my name aloud
And we won't eat and we won't sleep
We'll drag bodies from a ground

So say my name
And every color illuminates
And we are shining
And we'll never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
We are shining
Say my name
Say my name
And we will never be afraid again



@jef6080

SPECTRUM

When we first came here
We were cold and we were clear
With no colours in our skin
We were light and paper's thin
And when we first came here
We were cold and we were clear
With no colours in our skin
Until we let the spectrum in
Say my name
And every colour illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
Say my name
As every colour illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
Say my name
As every colour illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
And when we come for you
We'll be dressed up all in blue
With the ocean in our arms
Kiss your eyes and kiss your palms
And when it's time to pray
We'll be dressed up all in grey
With metal on our tongues
And silver in our lungs
Say my name
And every colour illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
Say my name
As every colour illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
Say my name
As every colour illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
And when we come back we'll be dressed in black
And you'll scream my name aloud
And we won't eat and we won't sleep
We'll drag bodies from the ground
So say my name
And every colour illuminates
And we are shining
And we'll never be afraid again
Say my name
As every colour illuminates
Say my name
As every colour illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
Say my name
As every colour illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
Say my name
We are shining
Say my name
Say my name
And we will never be afraid again



@patriciabaiza1456

When we first came here
We were cold and we were clear
With no colors on our skin
We were light and paper thin

And when we first came here
We were cold and we were clear
With no colors on our skin
'Til we let the spectrum in

Say my name
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

And when we come for you
We'll be dressed up all in blue
With the ocean in our arms
Kiss your eyes and kiss your palms

And when it's time to pray
We'll be dressed up all in grey
With metal on our tongues
And silver in our lungs

Say my name
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

And when we come back we'll be dressed in black
And you'll scream our names aloud
And we won't eat and we won't sleep
We'll drag bodies from the ground

So say my name
And every color illuminates
And we are shining
And we'll never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
As every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again

Say my name
We are shining
Say my name
Say my name
And we will never be afraid again



All comments from YouTube:

@yeastyboyx

I've never felt more like a strong independent woman despite being a 23 year old Male.

@merkurii3877

N1

@hishamsmo4770

same lol

@DiggaUndaHipHop

omfg lol

@User-fy6js

HAHAHAHAHAHA TOP

@karen614

This is my favourite comment

194 More Replies...

@michelmacena3292

Florence is not just a singer: she's a force of the nature.

@hoopthornseaweed

Lmao

@smartchip

Elaborate,

@krishna-dp1hd

smartchip her voice is simply so powerful and her lyrics extremely profound hence she’s a force of the nature

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