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.
Sky Full of Song
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or are you still awake?
A good friend told me
You've been staying out so late
Be careful my darling
Be careful of what it takes
What I've seen so far
I was screaming at my father
And you were screaming at me
I can feel your anger
From way across the sea
I was kissing strangers
I was causing such a scene
Oh the heart it hurts
Such and image of unimaginable things
Grab me by my ankles
I've been flying for too long
I couldn't hide from the thunder
In the sky full of song
And I want you so badly
But you could be anyone
I couldn't hide from the thunder
In the sky full of song
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie
And I can tell that I'm in trouble
When the music starts to play
And the cities without seasons
It keeps raining in LA
I feel like I'm about to fall
The room begins to sway
And I can hear the sirens
But I can't walk away
Grab me by my ankles
I've been flying for too long
I couldn't hide from the thunder
In the sky full of song
And I want you so badly
But you could be anyone
I couldn't hide from the thunder
In the sky full of song
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie
I thought that I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight
I thought that I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight
I thought that I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight
I thought that I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie (fire)
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie (fire)
The lyrics of the song “Sky Full Of Song” by Florence + the Machine describe the exhaustion and vulnerability one can feel in the face of overwhelming emotions. The song starts by asking if the person is sleeping deeply or still awake, hinting at the possibility of insomnia caused by racing thoughts. The singer then warns her lover to be careful of what it takes to stay out late, possibly alluding to the consequences of drinking or other dangerous behavior. The singer reflects on how the love she shares with her partner sometimes causes them to act destructively, leading to conflict with their own loved ones. She meditates on how even the most well-intentioned people often break under pressure, leading to damage and regret.
As the song continues, the singer compares herself to a bird who has been flying for too long, indicating her exhaustion and desire to be grounded. She confesses that despite being in love, she cannot shake the feeling that she does not truly know her partner, who could be anyone. She ultimately begs to be held down and left where she lies, which may symbolize a desire to be free of the intense emotions she is grappling with.
Line by Line Meaning
How deeply are you sleeping
Are you truly resting or still wide awake?
Or are you still awake?
Is your mind racing, preventing you from sleeping?
A good friend told me
Someone close to you confided in me
You've been staying out so late
You've been out and about until the early hours of the morning
Be careful my darling
I worry for your safety
Be careful of what it takes
Be mindful of the risks involved
What I've seen so far
My experiences have shown me
The good ones always seems to break
Those who are good-hearted often suffer the most
I was screaming at my father
I was in a heated argument with my dad
And you were screaming at me
You lashed out at me in frustration
I can feel your anger
Your intense emotions are palpable
From way across the sea
Despite being far apart
I was kissing strangers
I engaged in risky behavior with unfamiliar people
I was causing such a scene
My actions were attracting attention
Oh the heart it hurts
The pain of this situation is intense
Such and image of unimaginable things
A mental picture of unspeakable scenarios
Grab me by my ankles
Take hold of me firmly
I've been flying for too long
I've been soaring through life aimlessly for an extended period
I couldn't hide from the thunder
I couldn't escape the harsh realities of life
In the sky full of song
In this world where beauty and chaos coexist
And I want you so badly
I crave your presence fervently
But you could be anyone
I'm willing to accept anyone who could give me solace
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
I feel so exhausted, hold me to keep me from falling
Aim your arrow at the sky
Shoot for the stars, aim high
Take me down, I'm too tired now
I'm ready to give up, take me down from this height
Leave me where I lie
Allow me to rest where I am
And I can tell that I'm in trouble
I sense that I'm in a dangerous situation
When the music starts to play
When the soundtrack of life begins to unfold
And the cities without seasons
In perpetually sunny places, it feels like time is standing still
It keeps raining in LA
Even in a city that never experiences winter, there is still a persistent feeling of sadness
I feel like I'm about to fall
I feel as though I'm on the brink of failure or collapse
The room begins to sway
The environment around me starts to feel unstable
And I can hear the sirens
The sound of emergency responders is audible
But I can't walk away
I'm trapped and unable to escape
I thought that I was flying
I thought that I was soaring through life with purpose
But maybe I'm dying tonight
Perhaps, I'm actually sinking into despair and sadness
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Emile Haynie, Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Thomas Wayland Bartlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katerinka840
How deeply are you sleeping
Or are you still awake?
A good friend told me
You've been staying out so late
Be careful, oh, my darling
Oh, be careful what it takes
From what I've seen so far
The good ones always seem to break
And I was screaming at my father
And you were screaming at me
And I can feel your anger
From way across the sea
And I was kissing strangers
I was causing such a scene
Oh, the heart, it hides such unimaginable things
Grab me by my ankles, I've been flying for too long
I couldn't hide from the thunder in a sky full of song
And I want you so badly but you could be anyone
I couldn't hide from the thunder in a sky full of song
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie
And I can tell that I'm in trouble
When that music starts to play
In a city without seasons
It keeps raining in L.A.
I feel like I'm about to fall
The room begins to sway
And I can hear the sirens
But I cannot walk away
Grab me by my ankles
I've been flying for too long
I couldn't hide from the
Thunder in a sky full of song
And I want you so badly
But you could be anyone
I couldn't hide from the thunder
In a sky full of song
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie
I thought I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight
I thought I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight
And I thought I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight
And I thought I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky (shoot, shoot, shoot)
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie (fire)
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky (shoot, shoot, shoot)
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie (fire)
@soniasanchezsalazar2623
How deeply are you sleeping or are you still awake?
A good friend told me you've been staying out so late
Be careful, oh, my darling, oh, be careful what it takes
From what I've seen so far, the good ones always seem to break
And I was screaming at my father and you were screaming at me
And I can feel your anger from way across the sea
And I was kissing strangers, I was causing such a scene
Oh, the heart it hides such unimaginable things
Grab me by my ankles, I've been flying for too long
I couldn't hide from the thunder in a sky full of song
And I want you so badly but you could be anyone
I couldn't hide from the thunder in a sky full of song
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie
And I can tell that I'm in trouble when that music starts to play
In a city without seasons, it keeps raining in LA
I feel like I'm about to fall, the room begins to sway
And I can hear the sirens but I cannot walk away
Grab me by my ankles, I've been flying for too long
I couldn't hide from the thunder in a sky full of song
And I want you so badly but you could be anyone
I couldn't hide from the thunder in a sky full of song
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie
I thought I was flying but maybe I'm dying tonight
I thought I was flying but maybe I'm dying tonight
And I thought I was flying but maybe I'm dying tonight
And I thought I was flying but maybe I'm dying tonight
Hold me down, I'm so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky (shoot, shoot, shoot)
Take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie (Fire)
Hold me down, I'm too tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky (shoot, shoot, shoot)
And take me down, I'm too tired now
Leave me where I lie (Fire)
@TonyBittner-Collins
How deeply are you sleeping
Or are you still awake?
A good friend told me
You've been staying out so late.
Be careful my darling
Be careful of what it takes
What I've seen so far
The good ones always seem to break.
I was screaming at my father
And you were screaming at me
I can feel your anger
From way across the sea.
I was kissing strangers
I was causing such a scene
Oh the heart it hurts
Such and image of unimaginable things.
Grab me by my ankles
I've been flying for too long
I couldn't hide from the thunder
In the sky full of song.
And I want you so badly
But you could be anyone
I couldn't hide from the thunder
In the sky full of song.
Hold me down, I’m so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I’m too tired now
Leave me where I lie.
And I can tell that I'm in trouble
When the music starts to play
And the city without seasons
It keeps raining in LA.
I feel like I'm about to fall
The room begins to sway
And I can hear the sirens
But I can't walk away.
Grab me by my ankles
I've been flying for too long
I couldn't hide from the thunder
In the sky full of song.
And I want you so badly
But you could be anyone
I couldn't hide from the thunder
In the sky full of song.
Hold me down, I’m so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I’m too tired now
Leave me where I lie.
I thought that I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight
I thought that I was flying
But maybe I'm dying tonight. (x2)
Hold me down, I’m so tired now
Aim your arrow at the sky
Take me down, I’m too tired now
Leave me where I lie (fire).down (x2)
@majesticcasual
So beautiful!! 🌿✨😍😭
@bootybandit4402
OH HI THERE
@nicshannon21
MAJESTIC!!!!!
@falloutgirl902
“And I was screaming at my father and you were screaming at me” - manifesting childhood trauma into adult relationships with other men (pffffft that one little sentence literally came for me) Florence is a real poet and one of the few modern artists who communicates words like an angel. When I was 13 I heard Dod Days for the first time and it painted my adolescence now 22 this song has me weeping! she’s able to make me feel so much in such a small space of time because her voice takes you away. I have a feeling Florence’s music will probably get me through this lifetime- welcome back fairy queen here’s to another book of songs.🌷
@alarr11
I never related more to a comment
@terrenceholmes2450
Hi falloutgirl902,
Hope you are well.
It gets better...you have more power than you will ever realize.
@falloutgirl902
YouTube never notified me about all these comments and likes- you’re all so sweet! Thank you 😊 x
@lfkdodlzl
I've had a dream exactly like this recently-- I was confronting my father about all the trauma he gave me, but then I BECAME my father and someone was confronting me about the traume I gave them- childhood abuse really ruins future relationships through the fear of taking too much after this person and then becoming that person to someone else
@RainbosAreForever
I feel the exact same way.
@stacey_t
That moment when you realize that you weren't flying at all, but you were actually dying and you can't get your shit together to get through it all, so you just wanna lie there...it's OK. You just need a minute's rest and a helping hand. Healing takes time, don't rush it...