Spectrum
Florence & The Machine Lyrics
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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
Say my name
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
Say my name
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
Say my name
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we will never be afraid again
And when we come for you
We dressed up all in blue
With the ocean in our arms
Kissing eyes and kissing palms
When it's time to pray
We 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
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again
Say my name
And 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 their graves
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
And every color illuminates
We are shining
And we'll never be afraid again
Say my name
And 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 will never be afraid again
The lyrics of Florence & The Machine's "Spectrum" explore the idea of transformation and freedom. The first verse sets up the imagery of the singer's former state as being "cold and clear" with "no colors on our skin," indicating a lack of emotional connection and depth. But the second half of the verse introduces the idea that a change is possible with the introduction of "the spectrum," or the range of emotions, possibilities, and experiences available to us. When "you" let the spectrum in, the singer and those they speak for are transformed.
The chorus builds on this idea, emphasizing the power of naming and identification to bring illumination and transformation. The repetition of the phrase "Say my name" echoes the biblical story of God calling out to Moses ("I am who I am"), as well as the need of individual humans to be recognized and validated in their fullness. The repetition of the idea that "every color illuminates" suggests that all experiences and emotions, no matter how dark or painful, can be transformed and celebrated.
The second half of the song takes a darker turn, with a shift in tone and imagery. The singer describes dressing up in blue, then gray, referencing specific rituals or moments in time. The line "With metal on our tongues / And silver in our lungs" suggests a militaristic or violent mindset, or perhaps a sense of being controlled. When the singer talks about "when we come back we'll be dressed in black," the imagery takes on a more supernatural quality, with a suggestion of undead or zombie-like bodies rising from their graves.
Overall, "Spectrum" seems to be a song about finding freedom and empowerment through recognizing the full range of experiences, emotions, and identities that make us who we are. The repetition of "Say my name" and "we will never be afraid again" suggests that through naming and claiming our whole selves, we can find a sense of belonging, confidence, and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
When we first came here
At the start of our journey here
We were cold and we were clear
We were emotionless and transparent
With no colors on our skin
Without any shades or expressions
We were light and paper-thin
We were weightless and delicate
And when we first came here
At the beginning of our journey
We were cold and we were clear
We had no emotions and were transparent
With no colors on our skin
Without depths or expressions
'Till you let the spectrum in
Until you made us feel and see beyond what we were
Say my name
Call me out
And every color illuminates
And all the emotions become vibrant
We are shining
We are glowing with emotions
And we will never be afraid again
And we will not have any fears again
And when we come for you
And when we approach you
We dressed up all in blue
We are dressed in blue shades
With the ocean in our arms
With the immense power in our control
Kissing eyes and kissing palms
Displaying our feelings through touch
When it's time to pray
During our spiritual practices
We dressed up all in gray
We wear neutral shades
With metal on our tongues
With our thoughts and words as strong as metal
And silver in our lungs
With our breaths as pure as silver
And when we come back we'll be dressed in black
When we return, we'll be in mournful clothing
And you'll scream our names aloud
And your voice will echo and remember us
And we won't eat and we won't sleep
And we won't rest until our purpose is completed
We'll drag bodies from their graves
We'll bring change, even if it's unsettling
Say my name
Call me out
And every color illuminates
And every emotion weaves together
We are shining
We glow with purpose and determination
And we'll never be afraid again
And we will not be scared to face anything again
Say my name
Say my name
We are shining
We glow with purpose and determination
Say my name
Say my name
And we will never be afraid again
And we will not be scared to face anything again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL EPWORTH, FLORENCE WELCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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
@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
@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