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.
Various Storms & Saints
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of various storms and saints
Parading in the streets
As the banks began to break
And I'm in the throes of it
Somewhere in the belly of the beast
But you took your toll on me
So I gave myself over willingly
I don't know how I don't just stand outside and scream
I am teaching myself how to be free
The monument of a memory
You tear it down in your head
Don't make the mountain your enemy
Get out, get up there instead
You saw the stars out in front of you
Too tempting not to touch
But even though it shocked you
Something's electric in your blood
Can people just untie themselves?
Uncurling like flowers
If you could just forgive yourself
But still you stumble, your feet give way
Outside the world seems a violent place
But you had to have him, and so you did
Some things you let go in order to live
While all around you the buildings sway
Sing it out loud "Who made us this way?"
I know you're bleeding, but you'll be okay
Hold on to your heart, you'll keep it safe
Hold on to your heart, don't give it away
Now find a rooftop to sing from
Now find a hallway to dance
You don't need no edge to cling from
Your heart is there, it's in your hands
I know it seems like forever
I know it seems like an age
But one day this will be over
I swear it's not so far away
Can people just untie themselves?
Uncurling like flowers
If you could just forgive yourself
But still you stumble, your feet give way
Outside the world seems a violent place
But you had to have him, and so you did
Some things you let go in order to live
While all around you the buildings sway
Sing it out loud "Who made us this way?"
I know you're bleeding, but you'll be okay
Hold on to your heart, you'll keep it safe
Hold on to your heart
The song "Various Storms & Saints" by Florence + the Machine speaks to the sense of chaos and uncertainty that can come with life's storms and how one navigates them. The air is full of both storms and saints, representing both the destructive and the hopeful aspects of life. The singer finds herself in the midst of it all, in the belly of the beast, but still holding on to her sense of self. Florence references the banks breaking, implying that the world around her is falling apart, but she's determined to hold on.
The second verse speaks to the idea of overcoming doubt and fear by pushing oneself to new heights. The "monument of a memory" represents a past that no longer serves, and the advice to "get out, get up there instead" speaks to the idea that one must move beyond the past and focus on what's ahead. The line "something's electric in your blood" is a nod to the idea that transformation can be unsettling, but also exhilarating.
The final stanza speaks to the idea of finding one's inner strength and holding on to it, despite the chaos surrounding. The repeated refrain of "hold on to your heart" speaks to the idea of staying grounded in oneself and not giving up, even when things seem impossible.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to hold on to hope, even in the midst of uncertainty and adversity. It's a reminder that even though life can be tumultuous and confusing, we have the power to stay strong and navigate our way through.
Line by Line Meaning
And the air was full
The atmosphere was filled with chaos and conflict
Of various storms and saints
A mix of turmoil and perseverance
Praying in the street
Hopeful expression through faith
As the banks began to break
As the foundation of society began to crumble
And I'm in the throes of it
Deeply involved in the chaos
Somewhere in the belly of the beast
Caught in the middle of a difficult situation
But you took your toll on me
The emotional impact of a destructive relationship
So I gave myself over willingly
Surrendering oneself despite the consequences
Oh, you got a hold on me
Unable to escape the hold of the relationship
I don't know how I don't just stand outside and scream
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to cope
I am teaching myself how to be free
Learning to break free from toxic patterns
The monument of a memory
A significant memory or experience
You tear it down in your head
Dwelling on past experiences and regret
Don't make the mountain your enemy
Overcoming obstacles rather than letting them define you
Get out, get up there instead
Rising above challenges and negativity
You saw the stars out in front of you
Seeing the possibilities and potential for a better future
Too tempting not to touch
Intrigued and drawn to the unknown
But even though it shocked you
Despite the risks and uncertainty
Something's electric in your blood
Feeling energized and alive
And people just untie themselves
Breaking free from negative patterns or relationships
Uncurling lifelines
Releasing oneself from expectations or obligations
If you could just forgive yourself
Letting go of guilt and self-blame
But still you stumble, feet give way
Despite progress, setbacks still occur
Outside the world seems a violent place
Overwhelmed by the magnitude of negative events in the world
But you had to have him, and so you did
Making choices despite the risks or consequences
Some things you let go in order to live
Sacrifices must be made for one's own well-being and safety
While all around you the buildings sway
Instability and uncertainty surrounds
You sing it out loud, who made us this way
Asking questions about the root causes of difficulties in life
I know you're bleeding, but you'll be okay
Acknowledging pain but offering reassurance
Hold on to your heart, you'll keep it safe
Protecting oneself from damaging relationships or experiences
Hold on to your heart, don't give it away
Guarding one's emotional vulnerability
You'll find a rooftop to sing from
Finding joy and creativity in unexpected places
Or find a hallway to dance
Celebrating life's simple pleasures and moments
You don't need no edge to cling from
Finding stability and balance within oneself
Your heart is there, it's in your hands
Taking control of one's own emotional well-being and future
I know it seems like forever
Feeling stuck or overwhelmed by a difficult situation
I know it seems like an age
Feeling like there is no end to the struggle
But one day this will be over
Holding onto hope for a better future
I swear it's not so far away
Believing that change and resolution is possible
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Markus Dravs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind