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.
Haunted House
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's things in there that scratch about
They make their music in the night
And in the day they give me such a fright
My heart is like a haunted house
There's things in there that scream and shout
They make their music in the night
Do you remember winding your arm around my shoulder
As we wandered 'round the hill?
Now I'm in that fog forever
And full collaboration with the weather 'cause
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
My heart is like a haunted house
There's things in there that scratch about
They make their music in the night
And in the day they give me such a fright
My heart is like a haunted house
My heart is a place where I keep all my fears and insecurities. It's a place where things are hidden away and can emerge unexpectedly.
There's things in there that scratch about
There are thoughts and feelings that are trying to escape, and they are causing me discomfort.
They make their music in the night
These thoughts and feelings become more prominent when I am alone and it's dark. In the silence, their presence is amplified.
And in the day they give me such a fright
Even in the daytime, these thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming and scary to confront.
Wish I could find a way to let them out, oh
I wish I could find a way to release these pent-up emotions and thoughts. It feels like they are trapped and need a way to escape.
Do you remember winding your arm around my shoulder
This is a memory of a specific moment when someone I cared about showed me affection and comfort.
As we wandered 'round the hill?
I recall a moment of happiness and freedom when I was surrounded by nature and good company.
Now I'm in that fog forever
Now I feel stuck in a hazy and unclear mental state because of my fears and insecurities.
And full collaboration with the weather 'cause
Just like the weather can be unpredictable and uncontrollable, my emotions and mental state are also unpredictable and uncontrollable.
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Despite the happy memory and the desire to release these emotions, I feel trapped and restrained by my fears and insecurities.
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I feel like I am a prisoner of my own mind and emotions.
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
My current mental state is preventing me from being truly free and happy.
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I need to find a way to face my fears and insecurities to become free of them.
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
The haunting feelings and emotions are controlling my life and limiting my potential for happiness and fulfillment.
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I am aware of my lack of freedom and need to make changes to become truly free from the haunting negative emotions and thoughts within me.
I'm not free at all (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I am facing the reality that I need to do the difficult work of confronting my fears and insecurities in order to become free.
My heart is like a haunted house
This line repeats, emphasizing that my internal struggles and limitations are constantly present and impacting my life.
There's things in there that scratch about
This is repeated to once again emphasize the discomfort and pain caused by the internal struggles.
They make their music in the night
The repetition of this line highlights the ongoing impact and presence of the negative emotions and thoughts within me.
And in the day they give me such a fright
This repeated line underscores the fact that my internal struggles are always present and always a source of fear and discomfort for me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FLORENCE LEONTINE MARY WELCH, MATTHEW DANIEL SISKIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind