Florence explained the song's meaning on her Myspace:
"Kiss with a Fist" is NOT a song about domestic violence. It is about two people pushing each other to psychological extremes because they are fighting but they still love each other. The song is not about one person being attacked, or any actual physical violence, there are no victims in this song. Sometimes the love two people have for each other is a destructive force. But they can't have it any other way, because it's what holds them together, they enjoy the drama and pushing each other's buttons. The only way to express these extreme emotions is with extreme imagery, all of which is fantasism and nothing in the song is based on reality. Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love" isn't actually about her bleeding and this song isn't actually about punching someone in the mouth.
The song was first recorded as "Happy Slap" by Florence's earlier band, Ashok.
Kiss With a Fist
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You gave a kick, I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
You hit me once, I hit you back
You gave a kick, I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
My black eye casts no shadow
Your red eye sees nothing
Your slaps don't stick, your kicks don't hit
So we remain the same
Love sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick to the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Oh, a kiss with a fist is better than none
I broke your jaw once before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
You broke my leg in return
So sit back and watch the bed burn
Love sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Oh, kiss with a fist is better than none
You hit me once, I hit you back
You gave a kick, I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed, oh
Oh, you hit me once, I hit you back
You gave a kick, I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
The lyrics of "Kiss With a Fist" by Florence + The Machine depict a tumultuous and violent relationship between two lovers who frequently engage in physical altercations. Despite the violence and chaos, their love seems to remain intact, as they both continue to retaliate and inflict harm on each other. The striking imagery of the lyrics - from the smashing of plates to setting fire to the bed - paints a vivid picture of a passionate but destructive romance.
The chorus of the song, "A kiss with a fist is better than none," appears to convey a message of acceptance and resignation towards the volatile nature of the relationship. The lyrics suggest that even though the physical violence is harmful, it's better than not being in the relationship at all. The lyrics also reinforce the idea that love is intense, messy and sometimes violent, and it can be difficult to separate oneself from an unhealthy situation.
In many ways, the song can be interpreted as a metaphor for the downsides of passion and the idea that sometimes things that are bad for you can feel good. The repetitive and almost chant-like melody of the song adds to the hypnotic and addictive feel of the lyrics, emphasizing the idea that the vicious cycle of violence in the relationship can be difficult to break.
Overall, "Kiss With a Fist" is a powerful song that provides a dark and honest portrayal of the complexity of relationships and the thin line between love and violence.
Line by Line Meaning
You hit me once, I hit you back
We both resort to violence when we disagree
You gave a kick, I gave a slap
Our arguments escalate quickly and become physical
You smashed a plate over my head
You crossed a line and put my safety at risk
Then I set fire to our bed, oh
I retaliated in a destructive and dangerous way
My black eye casts no shadow
My physical injuries do not define me
Your red eye sees nothing
Your actions are clouded by anger and violence
Your slaps don't stick, your kicks don't hit
I am resilient and refuse to be harmed by you
So we remain the same
Our relationship is stagnant and unhealthy
Love sticks, sweat drips
Passionate arguments lead to passionate sex
Break the lock if it don't fit
We are trying to force something that is not meant to be
A kick to the teeth is good for some
Some people enjoy inflicting pain on others
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Even violent love is better than no love at all
I broke your jaw once before
I have hurt you in the past
I spilled your blood upon the floor
Our fights have resulted in serious injuries
You broke my leg in return
You have hurt me just as badly
So sit back and watch the bed burn
Our relationship is doomed to fail and end in destruction
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Matthew David Allchin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tinalovell7989
Quote from Florence and the Machine's myspace page:
"Kiss with a fist is NOT a song about domestic violence.
it is about two people pushing each other to phsycological extremes because they love each other.
the song is not about one person being attacked, or any actual physical violence, there are no victims in this song.
sometimes the love two people have for each other is a destructive force. but they cant have it any other way,
because its what holds them together, they enjoy the drama and pushing each others buttons.
the only way to express these extreme emotions is with extreme imagery, all of which is fantasism and nothing in the song is based on reality.
leona lewis's bleeding love isn't actually about her bleeding.
this isnt really about punching someone in the face. thank you and goodnight."
@yasemineger713
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
My black eye casts no shadow
Your red eye sees nothing
Your slaps don't stick
Your kicks don't hit
So we remain the same
love sticks
sweat drips
break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
A kiss with a fist is better than none
I broke your jaw once before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
You broke my leg in return
so let's sit back and watch the bed burn
love sticks
sweat drips
break the lock if it don't fit
@brunotruta23
KISS WITH A FIST LYRICS
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Verse 1]
My black eye casts no shadow
Your red eye sees no blame
Your slaps don't stick
Your kicks don't hit
So we remain the same
[Chorus 2]
Blood sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Whoa, a kiss with a fist is better than none
[Verse 2]
Broke your jaw once before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
You broke my leg in return
So let's sit back and watch the bed burn
[Chorus 2]
Blood sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Whoa, a kiss with a fist is better than none
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Guitar solo]
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
@Nicholas-kt4ul
"Kiss With A Fist"
Florence + The Machine #Lungs
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Verse 1]
My black eye casts no shadow
Your red eye sees no blame
Your slaps don't stick
Your kicks don't hit
So we remain the same
[Chorus 2]
Blood sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Whoa, a kiss with a fist is better than none
[Verse 2]
Broke your jaw once before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
You broke my leg in return
So let's sit back and watch the bed burn
[Chorus 2]
Blood sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Whoa, a kiss with a fist is better than none
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
@aliteralcrouton4876
This song is forever a Christmas song to me, thanks to Community
@hoid5250
Its December 10th!
@Nan.C
WWBJD?
@yanionthestreet
Ikr? Jeff winger
@outlawrip-offartist4161
SwagMonster 101 Pierce punches you in the face.
@user-xk1gp4fo4c
IT’S DECEMBER 10th! (Literally!)
@SaoirseK
If 2009 could only be represented by a single music video this would be it. ❤
@nameface6934
if you like Florence and the machine you should check out Lonely Gimmick - All Along the Watchtower, it gives me Florence vibes and it's a great take on a classic song
@LifeOfJimbo
this was 2008 tho 👀
@SaoirseK
@@LifeOfJimbo correct Kiss With A Fist the song itself was released in 2008. However the music video was released later. Not only because of the success of the song within the South London music scene but to help showcase F+TM to a wider auidence. The music video was released on the 25th November 2009 to be exact hence the strong 2009 aesthetic.