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.
Shake It Out
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play
And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
And I've been a fool and I've been blind (I've been blind)
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always dragging that horse around
All of his questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
But it's always darkest before the dawn
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
And I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
And it's hard to dance with the devil on your back (shake him off)
And given half the chance would I take any of it back? (shake him off)
It's a fine romance, but it's left me so undone (shake him off)
It's always darkest before the dawn (shake him off)
(Oh whoa, oh whoa)
And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't
So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road
And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope
It's a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat
'Cause looking for heaven, found the devil in me (oh whoa)
Looking for heaven, for the devil in me (oh whoa)
But what the hell, I'm gonna let it happen to me, yeah
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh (what the hell)
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh (what the hell)
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
The song “Shake it Out” by Florence + The Machine is a powerful anthem about facing the pain of the past and letting go of regrets. The opening lyrics “Regrets collect like old friends, Here to relive your darkest moments” signify how our regrets linger in our minds and influence our actions. The singer acknowledges that the demons of the past haunt her, and “all of the ghouls come out to play”. She feels the weight of the past and the pain it has caused her, yet she also acknowledges that every demon wants his pound of flesh. Despite all of this, she chooses to keep her issues to herself and move forward, as it’s always darkest before the dawn.
In the chorus, she urges the listener to shake off their past like a bad dream, as it’s hard to dance when the devil is on your back. She resolves to cut out her graceless heart and restart, hoping to find heaven instead of the devil she has been searching for. The song ends on a note of hope, as she embraces the unknown and knows that sometimes the best thing we can do is let things happen to us.
Overall, the song “Shake it Out” is about facing your demons and regrets head-on and moving forward with newfound hope and strength. It encourages the listener to shake off the negativity and embrace the unknown, even if it’s scary.
Line by Line Meaning
Regrets collect like old friends
Memories of past disappointments weigh heavily on me, reappearing as my constant companions.
Here to relive your darkest moments
These regrets are haunting, bringing back negative events from my past, perpetuating an endless cycle of pain and regret.
I can see no way, I can see no way
Despite my desire to move forward, my negative emotions and memories feel omnipresent, leaving me feeling trapped and hopeless.
And all of the ghouls come out to play
My regrets are accompanied by negative thoughts and attitudes, feeding off of my pain and perpetuating my suffering.
And every demon wants his pound of flesh
My internal struggles manifest as inner demons, relentlessly pursuing their desires at my expense.
But I like to keep some things to myself
Despite my struggles, I am selective in what I choose to share with others, preferring to keep many of my issues private.
I like to keep my issues drawn
I prefer to keep my problems at bay by keeping them in check and under control, not letting them consume me entirely.
It's always darkest before the dawn
Despite my struggles, I know that there is hope for a better future, but I must persevere through the darkness to reach it.
And I've been a fool and I've been blind (I've been blind)
I have made mistakes in the past and missed important details, leading to my current struggles.
I can never leave the past behind
My past continues to haunt me, making it difficult for me to move on.
I'm always dragging that horse around
My past struggles are a heavy burden that I must carry with me wherever I go, not letting me forget the pain and hurt I've experienced.
All of his questions, such a mournful sound
The pain of my past can be overwhelming, leading me to question the choices I've made and the direction of my life.
Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
I am finally ready to let go of my past pain and leave it behind me, allowing me to move forward with a new perspective.
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
It is difficult to move forward and find happiness when weighed down by negative thoughts and emotions.
So shake him off, oh whoa
I am determined to shake off my negative emotions and move forward with a sense of hope and positivity.
And I am done with my graceless heart
I am ready to leave behind my flaws and negative tendencies, moving towards a more positive future.
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
I am willing to make drastic changes and start fresh, shedding my old negative ways and beginning anew.
And given half the chance would I take any of it back?
Despite my struggles, I still value the lessons I've learned and the person I've become, making me hesitant to change anything.
It's a fine romance, but it's left me so undone
The relationship between my past struggles and myself is complex and intricate, leaving me feeling broken and scarred.
Looking for heaven, found the devil in me (oh whoa)
In my search for happiness and fulfillment, I've discovered my own negative tendencies and flaws, making it difficult to find the happiness I seek.
But what the hell, I'm gonna let it happen to me, yeah
Despite the difficulties I will undoubtedly face, I am optimistic and determined, ready to take on whatever challenges come my way.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Epworth, Tom Hull, Florence Welch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@denizkacan8007
How I Met Your Mother Season 7 Episode 17 "No Pressure"
Ted: Just tell me. Do you love me?
Robin:No.
Future Ted: Here's the funny thing: In my own crazy way, I was kind of happy.
For the first time in years, there was no little part of me clinging to
the dream of being with Robin. Which meant, for the first time in years,
the world was wide open. Because, kids when a door closes, well you
know the rest.
Thanks HIMYM :) You will stay in our lifes forever..
@cinchonaelyse7273
Because I feel in 2024 this is still needed to be felt and sung🙌🏾✨
Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play
And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn
And I've been a fool and I've been blind (I've been blind)
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always dragging that horse around
All of his questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
But it's always darkest before the dawn
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
And I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
And it's hard to dance with the devil on your back (shake him off)
And given half the chance would I take any of it back? (shake him off)
It's a fine romance, but it's left me so undone (shake him off)
It's always darkest before the dawn (shake him off)
(Oh whoa, oh whoa)
And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't
So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road
And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope
It's a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat
'Cause looking for heaven, found the devil in me (oh whoa)
Looking for heaven, for the devil in me (oh whoa)
But what the hell, I'm gonna let it happen to me, yeah
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh (what the hell)
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh (what the hell)
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
@carysatheconnie1382
This song feels like a hug after you’ve cried yourself sick.
@lindsay556
Couldn't have said this any better
@mymon2829
that is very accurate
@oliviasmith9974
You said it ♡
@nplace-nailsbyn9146
I went to hear it because of that...right now, in this moment!
Like i always do, after i cried my eyes out. Since what? 10 years? How old is this song? It still fits me like a glove...
@P-Bass_Pete
One of the greatest songs ever written. I can't tell you how many times this song has brought me back from the edge of darkness.
@onilaja8
2024 anyone?
@Ahnelix_Mask
right here
@MrNathanIL
hell yea
@metamaus5701
Always.