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.
Ghosts
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
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I'm not calling you a thief, just don't steal from me
I'm not calling you a ghost, just stop haunting me
And I love you so much, I'm gonna let you kill me
There's a ghost in my lungs and it sighs in my sleep
Wraps itself around my tongue as it softly speaks
Then it walks, then it walks with my legs
There but for the grace of God go I
And when you kiss me, I am happy enough to die
I'm not calling you a liar, just don't lie to me
And I love you so much, I'm gonna let you
I'm not calling you a thief, just don't
And I love you so much, I'm gonna let you
I'm not calling you a ghost, just stop
There's a ghost in my mouth and it talks in my sleep
Wraps itself around my tongue as it softly speaks
Then it walks. then it walks, then it walks with my legs
To fall, to fall, to fall, to fall
To fall, to fall
To fall, to fall, to fall, to fall
To fall, to fall, at your feet
There but for the grace of God go I
And when you kiss me, I am happy enough
The song "Ghosts" by Florence + the Machine is about a person who is haunted by memories of a past relationship. The lyrics address the person who they once loved and who left a deep impact on their life, eventually becoming a haunting presence. The singer is not calling the ex-lover a liar, a thief, or a ghost, but is asking them to stop hurting them and to let go of the past. They express their love for this person by saying they would let them kill them if that's what it took for them to move on, despite the pain it causes them.
The singer also references the feeling of having a ghost in their lungs, wrapping around their tongue, and walking with their legs. This metaphorical language portrays the idea that the thoughts and memories are so overwhelming that they are physically manifesting within the singer's body. As the ghost consumes them, they feel compelled to fall at the feet of their past lover.
This song seems to be tapping into the vulnerable and emotional experience of a person struggling to let go of someone who has left a deep impact on their life. By using the metaphor of ghosts and the physical manifestations of haunting, the song captures the desperation to move beyond and the pain of holding on.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not calling you a liar, just don't lie to me
I'm not accusing you of dishonesty, but please be truthful with me
I'm not calling you a thief, just don't steal from me
I'm not suggesting you're a criminal, but please don't take what's mine
I'm not calling you a ghost, just stop haunting me
I'm not saying you're a spirit, but please leave me alone
And I love you so much, I'm gonna let you kill me
I care for you deeply, even if it may lead to my own demise
There's a ghost in my lungs and it sighs in my sleep
There's a lingering presence within me that seeps into my dreams
Wraps itself around my tongue as it softly speaks
It entangles itself in my speech, softly whispering its presence
Then it walks, then it walks with my legs
This presence takes control, moving me as its own
To fall, to fall, to fall at your feet
To submit completely to you, even if it means falling at your feet
There but for the grace of God go I
I recognize that I could be in your position if not for luck or fate
And when you kiss me, I am happy enough to die
Your love is so powerful, it could bring me to the brink of death and I would be content
There's a ghost in my mouth and it talks in my sleep
This presence continues to haunt me, even manifesting in my speech during slumber
Then it walks. then it walks, then it walks with my legs
It still takes control, moving me without my permission
To fall, to fall, to fall, to fall
To surrender myself completely
To fall, to fall
To fall at your feet once again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Isabella Janet Florentina Summers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind