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.
Mother
Florence + The Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leave me on my knees
'Cause I belong to the ground now
And it belongs to me
And oh lord, won't you leave me
Leave me just like this
'Cause I belong to the ground now
How I long for the autumn
The sun keeps burning deep
Every stone in this city keeps reminding me, oh
Can you protect me from what I want?
The love I let in who left me so lost
Mother, make me
Make me a big tall tree
So I can shed my leaves and let it blow through me
Mother, make me
Make me a big grey cloud
So I can rain on you things I can't say out loud
All these couples are kissing
And I can't stand the heat
I lost my shoes and left the party
I wandered in the street
I put my feet into the fountain
The statues all asleep
No use wishing on the water
It grants you no relief
Mother, make me
Make me a bird of prey
So I can rise above this, let it fall away
Mother, make me
Make me a song so sweet
Heaven trembles, fallen at our feet
Oh lord, won't you leave me
Leave me on my knees
'Cause I belong to the ground now
And it belongs to me
And oh lord, won't you leave me
Leave me just like this
'Cause I belong to the ground now
I want no more than this
Oh lord, won't you leave me
Leave me on my knees
'Cause I belong to the ground now
And it belongs to me
Oh lord, won't you leave me
Leave me just like this
'Cause I belong to the ground now
I want no more than this
The song "Mother" by Florence + the Machine is a deep and introspective look at the singer's relationship with the world around her. The lyrics are about feeling disconnected from the people and the city around her and longing for a deeper sense of purpose or connection. The repeated verses of "Oh lord, won't you leave me, leave me on my knees, 'cause I belong to the ground now and it belongs to me" communicate a sense of surrender and acceptance of one's place in the world.
The lines "Can you protect me from what I want? The love I let in who left me so lost" show a vulnerability and a desire for protection and guidance. The chorus, where Florence asks her mother to make her into a different element of nature (a big tall tree, a big grey cloud, a bird of prey or a sweet song), feels like a metaphor for seeking transformation and a new personality or identity.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lost and searching for deeper meaning and connection. The repetition of the chorus and verses create a powerful and emotional effect, making it a standout track in Florence + the Machine's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh lord, won't you leave me
Asking for divine intervention to leave her in a state of despair and hopelessness.
Leave me on my knees
To remain in a humble and defeated position.
'Cause I belong to the ground now
Feeling like life has defeated her and she has accepted her place in the world.
And it belongs to me
Accepting the harsh reality of life and embracing it.
How I long for the autumn
Expressing a desire for change and renewal.
The sun keeps burning deep
The world keeps moving despite her longing for change.
Every stone in this city keeps reminding me, oh
Every aspect of her environment serves as a reminder of her past pain.
Can you protect me from what I want?
Asking for divine intervention to protect her from her own desires and the consequences that come with them.
The love I let in who left me so lost
Reflecting on a lost love that left her feeling lost and alone.
Mother, make me
Calling out to her maternal figure for guidance and protection.
Make me a big tall tree
Hoping to become rooted and stable in life.
So I can shed my leaves and let it blow through me
Wishing to release her past pain and let it go with the wind.
Make me a big grey cloud
Requesting to become a force of nature that can bring change and renewal.
So I can rain on you things I can't say out loud
Wishing to express her deepest emotions in a cathartic way, without fear of judgment or repercussion.
All these couples are kissing
Feeling isolated and out of place in a world of intimacy and connection.
And I can't stand the heat
Feeling overwhelmed and uncomfortable in her current surroundings.
I lost my shoes and left the party
Feeling alienated and disconnected from the festive and carefree nature of the party.
I wandered in the street
Feeling lost and unsure of where to go or belong.
I put my feet into the fountain
Seeking a moment of tranquility and peace in the midst of chaos and confusion.
The statues all asleep
Reflecting on the stillness and quietness of the world around her.
No use wishing on the water
Accepting the futility of hoping for change in a stagnant situation.
It grants you no relief
Realizing that hope and optimism can sometimes lead to disappointment and despair.
Make me a bird of prey
Asking to become a fierce and powerful force that can overcome obstacles and soar above adversity.
So I can rise above this, let it fall away
Desiring to overcome her past pain and suffering and move forward with strength and resilience.
Make me a song so sweet
Asking to become a source of beauty and inspiration for others.
Heaven trembles, fallen at our feet
Describing the immense power and impact of one's art and creativity.
I want no more than this
Accepting that her current state of being is enough and hoping for nothing more or less than what life has to offer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Epworth, Florence Welch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind