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.
How Big How Blue How Beautiful
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
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Now there's a few things we have to burn
Set our hearts ablaze, and every city was a gift
And every skyline was like a kiss upon the lips
And I was making you a wish
In every skyline
How big, how blue, how beautiful
And meanwhile a man was falling from space
And every day I wore your face
Like an atmosphere around me
The satellite beside me
And meanwhile a man was falling from space
As he hit the earth I left this place
Let the atmosphere surround me
The satellite beside me
What are we gonna do?
We've opened the door, now it's all coming through
Tell me you see it too
We opened our eyes and it's changing the view
Oh, what are we gonna do?
We opened the door now, it's all coming through
How big, how blue, how (beautiful)
How big, how blue, how (beautiful)
And every city was a gift
And every skyline was like a kiss upon the lips
And I was making you a wish
In every skyline
And meanwhile a man was falling from space
And every day I wore your face
Like an atmosphere around me
I'm happy you're beside me
What are we gonna do?
We've opened the door, now it's all coming through
Tell me you see it too
We opened our eyes and it's changing the view
Oh, what are we gonna do?
We opened the door now, it's all coming through
How big, how blue, how (beautiful)
How big, how blue, how (beautiful)
How big, how blue, how
So much time on the other side
Waiting for you to wake up
So much time on the other side
Waiting for you to wake up
Maybe I'll see you in another life
If this one wasn't enough
So much time on the other side
How big, how blue, how (beautiful)
How big, how blue, how
The song "How Big How Blue How Beautiful" by Florence + The Machine is poetic and rich in imagery. The opening line "Between a crucifix and the Hollywood sign, we decided to get hurt" sets a dramatic and intense tone for the rest of the song. The song is about taking risks, burning bridges, and embracing change. It's about letting go of the past and opening up to the unknown future.
The lines "And every city was a gift, and every skyline was like a kiss upon the lips" suggest that the singer is traveling and exploring new places. Each city is a gift, and each skyline is a beautiful moment to be treasured. The line "And meanwhile a man was falling from space" adds another layer of complexity to the song. It's a reference to Felix Baumgartner's famous Red Bull Stratos space jump, which took place in 2012. While all of this is happening, the singer is making a wish in every skyline. The wishes could be anything from personal desires to global aspirations.
The chorus "How big, how blue, how beautiful" is sung with such force that it's hard not to get swept up in the emotion. The words capture the magic and majesty of life, as well as the vulnerability and fragility of the human experience. The line "We've opened the door, now it's all coming through" suggests that the singer is ready to face whatever comes their way. They are open to new experiences and opportunities, even if they are terrifying or unknown.
Overall, "How Big How Blue How Beautiful" is a song about taking risks, embracing change, and living life to the fullest. It's about finding beauty in everything, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Isabella Janet Florentina Summers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind