Howl
Florence + the Machine Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

If you could only see the beast you've made of me
I held it in but now it seems you've set it running free
Screaming in the dark, I howl when we're apart
Drag my teeth across your chest to taste your beating heart

My fingers claw your skin, try to tear my way in
You are the moon that breaks the night for which I have to howl
My fingers claw your skin, try to tear my way in


You are the moon that breaks the night for which I have to

Howl, howl
Howl, howl

Now there's no holding back, I'm making to attack
My blood is singing with your voice, I want to pour it out
The saints can't help me now, the ropes have been unbound
I hunt for you with bloody feet across the hallowed ground

Like some child possessed, the beast howls in my veins
I want to find you, tear out all of your tenderness

And howl, howl
Howl, howl

Be careful of the curse that falls on young lovers
Starts so soft and sweet and turns them to hunters
(Hunter, hunter, hunter, hunter)
(Hunter, hunter, hunter, hunter)

The fabric of your flesh, pure as a wedding dress
Until I wrap myself inside your arms I cannot rest
The saints can't help me now, the ropes have been unbound
I hunt for you with bloody feet across the hallowed ground

And howl

Be careful of the curse that falls on young lovers
Starts so soft and sweet and turns them to hunters

A man who's pure of heart and says his prayers by night
May still become a wolf when the autumn moon is bright

If you could only see the beast you've made of me
I held it in but now it seems you've set it running free

The saints can't help me now, the ropes have been unbound
I hunt for you with bloody feet across the hallowed ground

Overall Meaning

The Florence + the Machine song "Howl" is a haunting and intense ballad that explores the ferocity of love and passion. The lyrics speak to the singer's internal battle against a beast that has been unleashed within themselves, a beast that is driven by an overpowering need for their lover. They sing about how this beast has taken over their mind and body, causing them to howl in anguish when separated from their love.


The imagery in the lyrics is strikingly violent and animalistic, with the singer describing their desire to tear their way into their lover's body and taste their beating heart. This raw, primal energy is contrasted with the delicate, pure imagery of the lover's flesh being compared to a wedding dress. The song warns of the dangers that can befall young lovers who fall prey to this curse of passion, which can turn them into hunters.


Overall, "Howl" is a very evocative and intense song that delves deep into the darker aspects of love and desire. The lyrics are raw and visceral, and they paint a vivid picture of the singer's inner turmoil.


Line by Line Meaning

If you could only see the beast you've made of me
You may not know it, but your actions have caused a monstrous change in me


I held it in but now it seems you've set it running free
I tried to suppress this beastly side of me, but now it's out of control


Screaming in the dark, I howl when we're apart
When we're not together, I feel a primal need to let out a cry that echoes in the darkness


Drag my teeth across your chest to taste your beating heart
I crave your life force to the point where I want to sink my teeth into your chest and feel your heart beat against my tongue


My fingers claw your skin, try to tear my way in
I'm desperate to get closer to you and my desire is so strong that my fingers are like claws breaking into your skin


You are the moon that breaks the night for which I have to howl
You are the only one who can satisfy my needs and desires, so much so that I am compelled to howl for you like a wolf howls at the moon


Now there's no holding back, I'm making to attack
I'm done trying to hold back my predatory instincts and am now ready to pounce


My blood is singing with your voice, I want to pour it out
I am so completely consumed by you that even my own blood sings with your voice, and I want to give all of myself to you


The saints can't help me now, the ropes have been unbound
Even divine intervention cannot save me from the consequences of unleashing this beast within me


I hunt for you with bloody feet across the hallowed ground
I will stop at nothing to find you, even if it means running across sacred ground with blood on my feet


Like some child possessed, the beast howls in my veins
This animalistic part of me feels like a demon child howling within my very being


I want to find you, tear out all of your tenderness
I have an insatiable desire to possess and destroy everything that makes you soft and vulnerable


Be careful of the curse that falls on young lovers
Love may start off pure and innocent, but it can also consume and transform people in dangerous ways


Starts so soft and sweet and turns them to hunters
Love can quickly become an obsession and turn lovers into predatory hunters


The fabric of your flesh, pure as a wedding dress
Your physical body is so pure and innocent, like a white wedding gown


Until I wrap myself inside your arms I cannot rest
Only by being physically close to you can my restless, predatory tendencies be calmed


A man who's pure of heart and says his prayers by night
Even someone who is outwardly virtuous can have a hidden, dangerous side


May still become a wolf when the autumn moon is bright
Under certain conditions, even the most innocent-seeming person can transform into a ferocious beast




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Paul Epworth, Florence Welch

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

TorcidaAachen

Wenn du nur das Biest sehen könntest, das du aus mir gemacht hast
If you could only see the beast you've made of me

Ich habe es festgehalten, aber jetzt scheint es, als hättest du es freigelassen
I held it in but now it seems you've set it running free

Schreiend im Dunkeln, heule ich, wenn wir getrennt sind
Screaming in the dark, I howl when we're apart

Ziehe meine Zähne über deine Brust, um dein schlagendes Herz zu schmecken
Drag my teeth across your chest to taste your beating heart
Meine Finger krallen deine Haut, versuche mich einzureißen
My fingers claw your skin, try to tear my way in

Du bist der Mond, der die Nacht durchbricht, für die ich heulen muss
You are the moon that breaks the night for which I have to howl

Meine Finger krallen deine Haut, versuche mich einzureißen
My fingers claw your skin, try to tear my way in

Du bist der Mond, der die Nacht durchbricht, für die ich muss
You are the moon that breaks the night for which I have to
Heul, heul
Howl, howl

Heul, heul
Howl, howl
Jetzt gibt es kein Halten mehr, ich versuche anzugreifen
Now there's no holding back, I'm making to attack

Mein Blut singt mit deiner Stimme, ich will es vergießen
My blood is singing with your voice, I want to pour it out

Die Heiligen können mir jetzt nicht helfen, die Seile wurden gelöst
The saints can't help me now, the ropes have been unbound

Ich jage nach dir mit blutigen Füßen über den heiligen Boden
I hunt for you with bloodied feet across the hallowed ground
Wie ein besessenes Kind heult das Biest in meinen Adern
Like some child possessed, the beast howls in my veins

Ich will dich finden, all deine Zärtlichkeit herausreißen
I want to find you, tear out all of your tenderness
Und heul, heul
And howl, howl

Heul, heul
Howl, howl
Passen Sie auf den Fluch auf, der auf junge Liebende fällt
Be careful of the curse that falls on young lovers

Fängt so weich und süß an und macht sie zu Jägern
Starts so soft and sweet and turns them to hunters
Der Stoff deines Fleisches, rein wie ein Hochzeitskleid
The fabric of your flesh, pure as a wedding dress

Bis ich mich in deine Arme schließe, kann ich nicht ruhen
Until I wrap myself inside your arms, I cannot rest

Die Heiligen können mir jetzt nicht helfen, die Seile wurden gelöst
The saints can't help me now, the ropes have been unbound

Ich jage nach dir mit blutigen Füßen über den heiligen Boden
I hunt for you with bloodied feet across the hallowed ground

Und heulen
And howl
Passen Sie auf den Fluch auf, der auf junge Liebende fällt
Be careful of the curse that falls on young lovers

Fängt so weich und süß an und macht sie zu Jägern
Starts so soft and sweet and turns them to hunters

Ein Mann, der im Herzen rein ist und nachts seine Gebete spricht
A man who is pure at heart and says his prayers by night

Kann noch ein Wolf werden, wenn der Herbstmond hell ist
May still become a wolf when the autumn moon is bright
Wenn du nur das Biest sehen könntest, das du aus mir gemacht hast
If you could only see the beast you've made of me

Ich habe es festgehalten, aber jetzt scheint es, als hättest du es freigelassen
I held it in but now it seems you've set it running free

Die Heiligen können mir jetzt nicht helfen, die Seile wurden gelöst
The saints can't help me now, the ropes have been unbound

Ich jage nach dir mit blutigen Füßen über den heiligen Boden
I hunt for you with bloodied feet across the hallowed ground

Quelle: Musixmatch
Songwriter: Florence Welch / Paul Richard Epworth
Songtext von Howl © Florence And The Machine Ltd., Emi Music Publishing Ltd



All comments from YouTube:

nep

no one really talks about this so i’ll say it; i feel like the violins in the background of the chorus really give the song a dramatic effect, that make you feel in the moment when you’re listening.

Ashley Smith

I just love it mate xx

Astolfo sobre la luna.

They are awesome here ❤️

wiiz

yees

Pikachu

One of her most underrated songs

Pikachu

@Joystick Versus Machine I too miss the vibes from the first album. She needs to bring those harp sounds back. It made the album truly stand out

Kimberly Anne

Totally agree. This is by far has always been my favourite Florence song of all time. Singing it is so empowering!

Joystick Versus Machine

@wotang I still think this is easily her best song. Unfortunately, I don't think she's surpassed her first album, either.

Pikachu

@Wayne Shingler Cosmic Love and Bird Song (also the intro of it) are seriously overlooked to me. Cosmic Love was a single and had a video though

aporue 589

one of my favourites!so powerful!

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