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.
Third Eye
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Original lifeline
That original lifeline
Hey, look up
Don't make a shadow of yourself
Always shutting out the light
Caught in your own creation
It tore you open
And oh, how much?
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies
And I can see it with my third eye
And though my touch, it magnifies
You pull away, you don't know why
That original lifeline
Original lifeline
That original lifeline
Hey, look up
You don't have to be a ghost
Here amongst the living
You are flesh and blood
And you deserve to be loved
And you deserve what you are given
And oh, how much?
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies
And I can see it with my third eye
And though my touch, it magnifies
You pull away, you don't know why
That original lifeline
Original lifeline
That original lifeline
Original lifeline
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies
And I can see it with my third eye
And though my touch, it magnifies
You pull away, you don't know why
That original lifeline
Original lifeline
That original lifeline
That original lifeline
'Cause your pain is a tribute
The only thing you let hold you
Wear it now like a mantle
Always there to remind you
That your pain is a tribute
The only thing you let hold you
Wear it now like a mantle
Always there to remind you
I'm the same, I'm the same
I'm trying to change
I am the same, I'm the same
I'm trying to change
I am the same, I'm the same
I'm trying to change
I am the same, I'm the same
I'm trying to change
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies
And I can see it with my third eye
And though my touch, it magnifies
You pull away, you don't know why
(I'm the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change)
That original lifeline
(I am the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change)
Original lifeline
(I'm the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change)
That original lifeline
(I am the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change)
Original lifeline
(I'm the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change)
That original lifeline
(I am the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change)
That original lifeline
(I am the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change)
That original lifeline
(I am the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change)
That original lifeline
The song "Third Eye" by Florence + the Machine is a powerful meditation on the pain of being shut off from oneself and the world. The lyrics urge the listener to "look up" and engage with the light and love around them, rather than retreating into the shadows of their own creation. The repeated phrase "That original lifeline" is a reminder of the vital connection to our own true selves that we must strive to maintain, despite the wounds and scars we may accumulate along the way.
The singer speaks of a "hole where your heart lies" that she can see with her "third eye," a reference to the mystical concept of inner vision beyond our physical senses. She urges the listener to wear their pain like a mantle, not as a burden to be hidden away but as a reminder of their strength and resilience. The final refrain of "I am the same, I'm the same, I'm trying to change" suggests both self-acceptance and a commitment to growth and transformation.
Overall, "Third Eye" is a powerful call to wake up from the numbness and disconnection that can plague us all at times, and to embrace the beauty and complexity of our own souls.
Line by Line Meaning
That original lifeline
Referring to the source of one's life and the foundation of their identity and purpose.
Hey, look up
A call to stop being consumed by one's own internal struggles and to instead focus on the world around them.
Don't make a shadow of yourself
Advice to confront one's own issues and not hide in the shadows of their own pain.
Always shutting out the light
One's pain and negative emotions can become blinding and oppressive and one should strive to let in more positivity and light.
Caught in your own creation
Being trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts and emotions that one has created for themselves.
Look up, look up
A repeated plea to see beyond one's struggles and take a broader perspective.
It tore you open
The pain and struggles of life can often feel gut-wrenching and overwhelming.
And oh, how much?
A suggestion that the pain one feels is deep and severe.
'Cause there's a hole where your heart lies
A metaphor for the emptiness and pain that one feels in the core of their being.
And I can see it with my third eye
A metaphor for intuitive insight or understanding that sees beyond what is immediately apparent.
And though my touch, it magnifies
Imagery suggesting that one's pain can be amplified or made worse through the insight of others.
You pull away, you don't know why
Suggesting that individuals may avoid the help or love of others due to an inability to confront their pain.
You don't have to be a ghost
A plea to not let one's own struggles consume them to the point of losing oneself and becoming a shell of oneself.
Here amongst the living
A reminder of the importance of being present and engaged in the world, rather than consumed by one's own struggles.
You are flesh and blood
A reminder of one's own humanity and vulnerability, a plea to be kind to oneself rather than shutting down or becoming numb.
And you deserve to be loved
Affirming that everyone deserves love and affection, even in their darkest moments.
And you deserve what you are given
Suggesting that good things can happen to people, even those who are struggling, and that every moment of grace should be appreciated.
Your pain is a tribute
A suggestion that the struggles and pain one experiences are a sign of their depth and strength, and that they can be used as a testament or tribute to one's character.
The only thing you let hold you
A reminder that individuals must confront and take control of their own pain and emotions in order to move forward.
Wear it now like a mantle
Suggesting that one can wear their struggles with pride and strength as they move forward in life.
Always there to remind you
The pains and struggles of life may never truly go away, but they can serve as a reminder of what you've overcome, and the strength it takes to overcome it.
I'm the same, I'm the same
Acknowledging that struggles and pain are universal experiences, and that no one is immune to them.
I'm trying to change
A reminder that individuals can take steps to improve themselves and the world around them, even amid struggles.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Bafael_Reyna
For those who wonder where's chapter 7, they renamed the videos as follow:
What kind of man - Chapter 1
How big how blue how beautiful - Chapter 2
St. Jude - Chapter 3
Ship to wreck - Chapter 4
Queen of peace & Long and Lost - Chapters 5 &6
Delilah - Chapter 8
Third eye - Chapter 9
The videos are numbered as in the film. Which rises the questions, are we getting a Mother video (chapter 7)? Are we getting a Various storms & saints (this is less likely, but personal favorite so one can only dream).
Florence, I love you. You are the best. You are inspirational in your way to each of the people who are fond of you. Greetings from Mexico
@Hachidiego
She's one of the greatest musicians of our generation.
Such a talented, unique and authentic soul.
@gip156
true
@Chaziltasm
+Aleex Les Folies bit of an over statement lol. On what proof is that? because you like the music a lot she's one of the greats? Maybe one of the greatest singers but you'll have a hard time finding any respectable critics saying shes one of the greatest musicians of a generation.
@Lundy.Fastnet.Irish_Sea
just because you like something doesn't mean it's good. just because you dislike something doesn't mean it's bad. there can never be an objectively "greatest" singer.
@annettehasnas7002
+Hejira#2854 maybe, hear me out here, he was expressing his opinion, and not really claiming to have objective reasoning behind it (because, you know, it's an opinion, which is still valid without it). Unheard of, I know.
@Lundy.Fastnet.Irish_Sea
Sooner or later there's gling to be these music elitists bashing recent music, saying fatm is the only real music, blablabla, in this comment chain.
Annette Hasnas opinions are valid if backed with claims that make sense. "Authentic, unique, and talented" is something lots of singers have, so it's probably not specific enough. Specify something in her uniqueness that you like, then it's valid.
@faithperry6307
I listened to this song constantly last Summer whilst suffering and recovering from a severe case of Anorexia. I was an inpatient case trying to stay out of hospital. This song helped me so much to the point where if I ever met Florence Welch I would not be able to speak to her because the potency of her music is beyond words to me. Thank you so much. Your music was my food when I couldn't face another spoonful.
@sammykx0x0
I know this comment is from 2 years ago but i still had to comment because it is so relatable.
I was diagnosed with an eating disorder when i was 12(im 22 now) and March of 2017 i was transferred from an acute inpatient psych unit to the medical hospital where i spent 21 days with an nj tube. Florence's music helped me get through so much and gave me not only strength, but something i could relate to both while in the hospital and while trying to recover on my own.
I hope you are still doing well with recovery♡
@wyrdmagyk4969
she really is a wonderful gal...one of the nicest I have ever met...I sorta suspect she wrote this one for me...along with No Light, No Light...lol
@dydb3
wow. you are amazing to have survived such a thing, I hope you are doing well!