The title means to commit suicide, which is also enhanced in the backing vo… Read Full Bio ↴The title means to commit suicide, which is also enhanced in the backing vocals, where Heaven is alluded to. And throughout the verses, there are various references to wanting to end her life. However, there are multiple interpretations of this song - some choose to believe it is about a sexual encounter, mental illness, and religious confusion. Nonetheless, the suicide theme is the confirmed meaning of this song.

Leave My Body
Florence + the Machine Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm gonna be released from behind these lines
And don't care whether I live or die
And I'm losing blood, I'm gonna leave my bones
And I don't want your heart, it leaves me cold

I don't want your future
I don't need your past
One grand moment

Is all I ask

I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me down)
Said I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me, pulling me down)

I don't need a husband, don't need no wife
And I don't need the day, I don't need the night
And I don't need the birds, let them fly away
And I don't want the clouds, they never seem to stay

I don't want no future (want your future)
I don't need no past (need no past)
One grand moment (one grand moment)
Is all I ask (is all I ask)

I don't want no future (want your future)
I don't need no past (need no past)
One grand moment (one grand moment)
Is all I ask, and I

I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me down)
Said I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my, lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me, pulling me down)

(Pulling me down)
Pulling me down (and it's pulling me down)
Pulling me down (and it's pulling me down)
Pulling me down (and it's pulling, pulling me down)
Pulling me, pulling me down

I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me down)
Said I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)
I'm gonna lose my, lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me, pulling me down)

Yeah, said I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)

Gonna lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me down)
(Moving up to higher ground, your history keeps pulling me, pulling me down)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Leave My Body" by Florence + the Machine explore the idea of wanting to escape from one's current situation and the burdens that come with it. The singer is seeking a release from the boundaries that have been placed on them and is willing to abandon everything, even their physical form, to achieve it. They do not want anything from the past or future, only one moment of freedom.

The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is trapped behind lines or boundaries that they want to break free from, even if it means risking their life. The following lines about losing blood and leaving their bones indicate that they are willing to sacrifice everything to achieve freedom. The singer does not want the love or heart of another person because it only brings them coldness, emphasizing their desire to be alone.

The repeated phrase "moving up to higher ground" represents the singer's desire to elevate themselves to a better place or state of being. However, the history or past experiences of the singer keep pulling them down, making it difficult to achieve their goal. The singer rejects everything that ties them to their current situation, including the day, the night, the birds, and the clouds.

Overall, "Leave My Body" is a powerful and haunting song about the desire to break free from one's limitations and the struggles that come with it.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna be released from behind these lines
I am going to break free from my current situation and get a fresh start.

And don't care whether I live or die
I have detached myself from any attachment to life or death.

And I'm losing blood, I'm gonna leave my bones
I am physically and mentally drained and ready to move on from this physical existence.

And I don't want your heart, it leaves me cold
I am not interested in anyone's love or affection because it does not bring me comfort or warmth.

I don't want your future
I do not want to be tied to anyone's plans or goals for the future.

I don't need your past
I do not want to be weighed down by anyone's past experiences or mistakes.

One grand moment
All that I desire is one significant, life-changing experience.

Is all I ask
This one moment is all I am hoping for or asking for in this life.

I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)
I'm going to move on beyond my physical self and elevate my consciousness.

I'm gonna lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me down)
I am breaking free from the mental limitations that my past has had on me.

Said I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)
Once again expressing the desire to transcend to a higher plane of existence.

I'm gonna lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me, pulling me down)
The pain and burden of my past experiences are pulling me down, but I'm determined to rise above it.

I don't need a husband, don't need no wife
I am satisfied with being alone and do not wish to be romantically involved with anyone.

And I don't need the day, I don't need the night
I do not depend on any particular time of the day or night for my happiness.

And I don't need the birds, let them fly away
I do not require the presence of any particular creatures or beings in my life.

And I don't want the clouds, they never seem to stay
I am not interested in anything that is fleeting or temporary, like the clouds in the sky.

Pulling me down (and it's pulling me down)
Continuing the theme of feeling weighed down by past experiences and emotions.

Yeah, said I'm gonna leave my body (moving up to higher ground)
Reinforcing the desire to transcend physical boundaries.

Gonna lose my mind (your history keeps pulling me down)
Once more acknowledging the pain and difficulty of shaking off the past.

(Moving up to higher ground, your history keeps pulling me, pulling me down)
Expressing the conflict between the pull of the past and the desire to transcend it and move forward.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Thomas Edward Percy Hull, Paul Richard Epworth

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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