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.
Breaking Down
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And even on my own
It was always standing next to me
I can see it coming from the edge of the room
Creeping in the streetlight
Holding my hand in the pale gloom
Can you see it coming now?
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down again
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down
All alone, even when I was a child
I've always known
There was something to be frightened of
I can see it coming from the edge of the room
Creeping in the streetlight
Holding my hand in the pale gloom
Can you see it coming now?
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down again
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down
All alone, on the edge of sleep
My old familiar friend
Comes and lies down next to me
And I can see it coming from the edge of the room
Smiling in the streetlight
Even with my eyes shut tight
I still see him coming now
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down again
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down again
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down again
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down
"Breaking Down" is a song by Florence + the Machine, and it speaks about the singer's struggle with mental illness, specifically anxiety and depression, which seems to haunt her no matter where she goes. The song starts with the lyrics "All alone, it was always there, you see. And even on my own, it was always standing next to me." These lines suggest that the singer is never truly alone since the anxiety is always present, following her around like a shadow.
The song also hints at the fact that the singer has been dealing with anxiety since she was a child. The lyrics "All alone, even when I was a child, I've always known there was something to be frightened of" suggest that the singer has been haunted by this feeling of dread for her entire life. The second verse further emphasizes this idea, as Florence sings about her "old familiar friend" who comes to lie down next to her on the edge of sleep.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about how she can see the anxiety coming from the edge of the room, creeping in the streetlight, and even smiling in the streetlight. These images create a sense of impending doom that is hard to shake off. The song's chorus "Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down again" is a poignant reminder of the singer's state of mind, and leaves the listener feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair.
Overall, "Breaking Down" is a beautiful and haunting song about mental illness, and Florence + the Machine's raw and emotional vocal delivery perfectly captures the essence of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
All alone, it was always there you see
Despite being alone, there has always been a presence that has accompanied and haunted the singer.
And even on my own
Even in solitude, the presence lingers.
It was always standing next to me
The presence has always been physically close to the singer.
I can see it coming from the edge of the room
The presence can be sensed approaching from afar.
Creeping in the streetlight
The presence arrives subtly, like a shadow in the night.
Holding my hand in the pale gloom
The presence provides comfort but can also be associated with fear.
Can you see it coming now?
The singer questions whether the listener can feel the presence approaching as well.
All alone, even when I was a child
The artist has experienced the presence since childhood and has always felt isolated in its company.
I've always known
The presence has been constant and unchanging throughout the artist's life.
There was something to be frightened of
The presence evokes fear in the artist.
All alone, on the edge of sleep
The singer is alone in a vulnerable state and the presence still persists.
My old familiar friend
The presence is familiar to the artist despite their fear of it.
Comes and lies down next to me
The presence physically joins the singer in bed.
Smiling in the streetlight
The presence takes on a sinister, mocking appearance.
Even with my eyes shut tight
The singer tries to escape but can still sense the presence.
I still see him coming now
The artist can feel the presence approaching despite their attempts to block it out.
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down again
The artist is overwhelmed by the presence and feels on the verge of a mental breakdown.
Oh, oh, I think I'm breaking down
The repeated line emphasizes the singer's distress and feelings of helplessness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Ellis Ford, Florence Leontine Mary Welch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind