Lead singer, Florence Welch, was an art-college drop-out, from Camberwell (London), who was discovered singing Motown covers in a nightclub toilet, drunk. ”The Machine” name originated with an in-joke between Welch and Summers. Musically, Florence + The Machine's sound is sometimes referred to as soul-inspired indie rock. Welch grew up listening to The White Stripes and Kate Bush and says she writes metaphorical songs that are "stories with consequences and weird morality issues."
2008
Florence + The Machine's music has received praise across the British music media, especially from the BBC, who played a large part in their rise to prominence, by bringing them into the spotlight as part of "BBC Introducing" (a program to support unsigned artists) - firstly at South By South West (SXSW) in Austin, Texas in March 2008 and later that year (Sept 2008) the band recorded a full session for the BBC at their Maida Vale studios.
2009 - 2010 - first awards and first studio album - "Lungs"
At the Brit Awards 2009, Florence + The Machine received the Critics' Choice Award at the Brits in the UK. The award was introduced in 2008 (when it was awarded to Adele) and focuses on new and emerging British talent, voted for by a panel of music industry experts.
The band's début album was "Lungs" (Jul 2009, Universal), preceded by third single Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) (Jun 2009, Moshi Moshi). "Lungs" went on to become number one in the UK album charts in January 2010, and won the MasterCard British Album award at the 2010 Brits, where they performed a hugely popular collaboration, You've Got the Dirtee Love (live at The Brit Awards 2010) with Dizzee Rascal - a mix of You've Got the Love, the Candi Staton cover from "Dog Days Are Over" (Nov 2008, IAmSound), and Dizzee’s Dirtee Cash (Sept 2009, Dirtee Stank).
2011 - second studio album - "Ceremonials"
The second album "Ceremonials" (31 Oct 2011, Island) - with which Welch was inspired for the title and some themes from a '70s Super 8 film of an art installation, she recalls: "... this big procession of kind of coquette-style hippies and all these different coloured robes and masks, and it was all to do with colour, really saturated, brightly coloured pastas and balloons. I saw it a couple years ago, and it was called 'Ceremonials' and then, like, Roman numerals after it. And the word sort of stuck with me, and I think the whole idea of performance ...". The album is also influenced by hymns, poems and church bells.
2012 - MTV Unplugged album - "MTV Unplugged"
In 2012, the band released a live album - "MTV Unplugged" (Apr 2012, Universal) - as part of the MTV Unplugged series. It was filmed in December 2011 in New York’s oldest synagogue building, Angel Orensanz Center, with the band being backed by a ten-person choir.
2015 - third studio album - "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful"
The band's long awaited third studio album is called "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful". It was released on May 29, 2015 on Island Records.
2018 - fourth studio album - "High As Hope"
The band's fourth studio album is called "High As Hope". It was released on June 29, 2018 on Republic Records.
Hiding
Florence %2B the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When all the world's asleep and tired,
You cry a little,
So do I, so do I.
I think you hide,
And You don’t have to tell me why,
You cry a little,
Tell me I will be released,
Not sure I can deal with this,
Up all night again this week,
Breaking things that I should keep.
I know that you’re hiding,
I know there’s a part of you,
That I just cannot reach,
You don’t have to let me in.
Just know that I’m still here,
I’m ready for you whenever,
Whenever you need,
Whenever you want to begin.
I know you’ve tried,
Something stops you every time,
You cry a little,
So do I, so do I.
And it’s your pride,
That’s keeping us still so far apart,
But if you give a little,
So will I, so will I.
Tell me I will be released,
Not sure I can deal with this,
Up all night again this week,
Breaking things that I should keep.
I know that you’re hiding,
I know there’s a part of you,
That I just cannot reach,
You don’t have to let me in.
Just know that I’m still here,
I’m ready for you whenever,
Whenever you need,
Whenever you want to begin.
I know I seem shaky,
These hands not fit for holding,
But if you let me, oh,
I will see you right.
Tell me I will be released,
Not sure I can deal with this,
Up all night again this week,
Breaking things that I should keep.
Tell me I will be released,
Not sure I can deal with this,
(I should keep),
Up all night again this week,
(I should),
Breaking things that I should keep.
(Tell me I will be released),
I know that you’re hiding,
(Not sure I can deal with this),
(I should keep),
I know that there’s a part of you,
That I just cannot reach,
(Up all night again this week),
You don’t have to let me in.
(Breaking things that I should keep).
I’m still here,
I’m still here.
The song "Hiding" by Florence + The Machine is a song about finding the courage to confront one's emotions and allow others to help. The lyrics suggest that the subject of the song is someone who hides their feelings and struggles from the rest of the world, but Florence is aware that they cry a little bit when they think nobody is watching. Florence recognizes that the person is hiding a part of themselves that nobody else can reach, but she remains steadfast in her willingness to help.
The chorus states that Florence knows that the person is hiding, but they don't have to let her in. She acknowledges that she understands that it's hard to open up and show vulnerability, but she wants the person to know that she's ready to help whenever they're ready to begin. The song portrays a sense of empathy and understanding towards those who find it difficult to share their emotions with others.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling with their own demons as well, as they mention being up all night and breaking things that they should keep. They are looking for release from their own struggles and want to help others who are struggling as well. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer reminding the person that she is still here for them.
Line by Line Meaning
I think you hide,
I believe that you conceal your emotions
When all the world's asleep and tired,
You keep your feelings to yourself when everyone else is asleep and exhausted
You cry a little,
You shed some tears
So do I, so do I.
I also cry sometimes.
And You don’t have to tell me why,
You don't have to explain your reasons to me
Tell me I will be released,
Let me know that things will get better for me
Not sure I can deal with this,
I'm not confident that I can handle this situation
Up all night again this week,
I have been awake all night again this week
Breaking things that I should keep.
I am damaging things that I should hold onto.
I know that you’re hiding,
I am aware that you are keeping your emotions inside.
I know there’s a part of you,
I understand that there is a part of you
That I just cannot reach,
That I am unable to access
You don’t have to let me in.
You don't have to open up to me.
Just know that I’m still here,
Just know that I'm still around
I’m ready for you whenever,
I am prepared to support you at any time
Whenever you need,
Whenever you require it
Whenever you want to begin.
Whenever you are ready to start.
I know you’ve tried,
I am aware that you have attempted to change things
Something stops you every time,
Something prevents you from achieving your goal every time
And it’s your pride,
Your pride is what keeps us apart.
That’s keeping us still so far apart,
It is the reason we are still separated.
But if you give a little,
However, if you make a minor effort
So will I, so will I.
I will too
I know I seem shaky,
I understand that I may seem unsteady.
These hands not fit for holding,
My hands may not be suitable for gripping
But if you let me, oh,
But if you allow me,
I will see you right.
I will help you through this difficult time.
I’m still here,
I am still present.
I’m still here.
I am still here for you.
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.