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.
Third Eye
Florence %2B the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Original lifeline.
That original lifeline,
Original lifeline.
Hey, look up!
Don't make a shadow of yourself,
Always shutting out the light.
Look up, look up!
It tore you open.
And oh, how much!
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies,
And I can see it with my third eye.
And, though, my touch, it magnifies
You pull away, you don't know why.
That original lifeline,
Original lifeline,
That original lifeline.
Hey, look up!
You don't have to be a ghost,
Here amongst the living.
You are flesh and blood!
And you deserve to be loved,
And you deserve what you are given.
And oh, how much!
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies,
And I can see it with my third eye.
And, though, my touch, it magnifies
You pull away, you don't know why.
That original lifeline,
Original lifeline.
That original lifeline,
Original lifeline.
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies,
And I can see it with my third eye.
And, though, my touch, it backfires,
You pull away, you don't know why.
That original lifeline,
Original lifeline.
That original lifeline,
That original lifeline.
'Cause your pain is a tribute,
The only thing you let hold you,
Wear it now, like a mantle,
Always there to remind you.
But your pain is a tribute,
The only thing you let hold you,
Wear it now, like a mantle,
Always there to remind you.
I'm the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
I am the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
I am the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
I am the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies,
And I can see it with my third eye.
And, though, my touch, it magnifies
You pull away, you don't know why.
I'm the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
(That original lifeline),
I am the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
(Original lifeline),
I am the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
(That original lifeline),
I am the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
(Original lifeline).
I'm the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
(That original lifeline),
I am the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
(Original lifeline),
I am the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
(That original lifeline),
I am the same, I'm the same,
I'm trying to change.
(That original lifeline).
The lyrics of "Third Eye" by Florence + The Machine revolve around the theme of self-discovery and transformation. In the song, Florence urges the listener to look up and embrace their true self instead of hiding behind a shadow of themselves. The repetition of "That original lifeline" emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not losing sight of one's origins.
Florence talks about a hole in the heart of the listener, which she can see with her third eye, symbolizing the need for self-reflection and self-awareness. She acknowledges that the listener is in pain and that they hold onto it as a tribute, but encourages them to wear it like a mantle to remind them of what they've been through and how much they've overcome.
The bridge "I'm the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change" expresses the desire for change and personal growth, acknowledging that transformation is not easy but necessary.
Overall, "Third Eye" is a powerful and introspective song that encourages listeners to embrace their true selves, acknowledge their pain, and seek personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
That original lifeline, Original lifeline. That original lifeline, Original lifeline.
The continuity of life, the beginning and the end, our lifeline that connects us to who we were and who we are yet to be.
Hey, look up! Don't make a shadow of yourself, Always shutting out the light. Caught in your own creation, Look up, look up! It tore you open. And oh, how much!
Don't hide behind your past, let the light shine on you and break free from the chains of your own creation that are holding you back.
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies, And I can see it with my third eye. And, though, my touch, it magnifies You pull away, you don't know why.
There is a void inside of you that you try to ignore, but I can sense it, and when I try to help, you pull away without knowing why.
Hey, look up! You don't have to be a ghost, Here amongst the living. You are flesh and blood! And you deserve to be loved, And you deserve what you are given. And oh, how much!
Be present and alive in the world, you are not a ghost but a living, breathing human being, deserving of love and all the good things life has to offer.
'Cause your pain is a tribute, The only thing you let hold you, Wear it now, like a mantle, Always there to remind you.
Your pain is a reminder of all the things you've been through and how you've survived them, it is a tribute to your strength and resilience.
I'm the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change. I am the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change.
I am still me, but I am constantly growing and evolving, trying to change and better myself.
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies, And I can see it with my third eye. And, though, my touch, it backfires, You pull away, you don't know why.
The void inside of you is still there, and when I try to help, it backfires and you push me away without understanding why.
Contributed by Parker P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.