What Kind Of Man
Florence The Machine Lyrics


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I was on a heavy tip
Try'na cross a canyon with a broken limb
You were on the other side, like always
Wondering what to do with life

I'd already had a sip
So I'd reasoned I was drunk enough to deal with it
You were on the other side, like always
You could never make you mine

And with one kiss
You inspired a fire of devotion that lasts for twenty years
What kind of man loves like this?

To let me dangle at a cruel angle
Oh, my feet don't touch the floor
Sometimes you're half in and then you're half out
But you never close the door

What kind of man loves like this?
What kind of man?
What kind of man loves like this?
What kind of man?

You're a holy fool, all coloured blue
Red feet upon the floor
You do such damage, how do you manage?
Trying to crawl in back for more

And with one kiss
You inspired a fire of devotion that lasts for twenty years
What kind of man loves like this?

What kind of man loves like this?
What kind of man?
What kind of man loves like this?
What kind of man?

But I can't beat ya, cause I'm still with ya
"Oh mercy," I implore ("Oh mercy," I implore)
How do you do it? I think I'm through it
Then I'm back against the wall





What kind of man loves like this? What kind of man?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Florence + the Machine's song "What Kind of Man" convey a sense of struggle and vulnerability in the face of a powerful, all-consuming love. The singer is on a difficult journey, trying to cross a canyon with a broken limb, while the object of their affection is on the other side, seemingly unattainable. Despite this distance, they share a connection that ignites with a single kiss, sparking a "fire of devotion" that lasts for twenty years.


The chorus repeatedly asks the question, "What kind of man loves like this?" - a nod to the intensity and complexity of the love being described. The singer is both drawn to and frustrated by their partner's unpredictable nature, noting that they are "half in and then...half out" but never fully closing the door. The song reflects on the ways in which this type of love can be both exhilarating and exhausting, leaving the singer feeling like they are "dangling at a cruel angle" and struggling to keep their feet on the ground.


Overall, "What Kind of Man" is a powerful exploration of the highs and lows of love, capturing both the thrill and the turmoil of intense emotion.


Line by Line Meaning

I was on a heavy tip
I was in a bad place emotionally and mentally


Try'na cross a canyon with a broken limb
Attempting to overcome an obstacle without the tools necessary to do so


You were on the other side, like always
Your position in my life has not changed


Wondering what to do with life
Uncertainty about your direction in life


I'd already had a sip
I had already begun drinking


So I'd reasoned I was drunk enough to deal with it
Excused my behavior because I had been drinking


You could never make you mine
I could never fully have you


And with one kiss
Your action had a profound impact on me


You inspired a fire of devotion that lasts for twenty years
Your impact on me continued for a long time


What kind of man loves like this?
What kind of person has such a powerful impact on someone


To let me dangle at a cruel angle
To keep me in suspense and uncertainty


Oh, my feet don't touch the floor
I'm left feeling unsure and vulnerable


Sometimes you're half in and then you're half out
You're inconsistent in your feelings and actions


But you never close the door
You never fully push me away


You're a holy fool, all coloured blue
You're unorthodox and your emotions are intense


Red feet upon the floor
You have left your mark on me


You do such damage, how do you manage?
You have an ability to leave a lasting impact, both positive and negative


Trying to crawl in back for more
I still have a desire for you, despite the damage you have caused


But I can't beat ya, cause I'm still with ya
I can't escape your hold on me


"Oh mercy," I implore ("Oh mercy," I implore)
I beg for relief from my feelings for you


How do you do it?
How do you have such power over me


I think I'm through it
I think I'm over you


Then I'm back against the wall
But then I find myself feeling trapped and helpless again


What kind of man loves like this?
What kind of person can have such a hold on someone


What kind of man?
What kind of person is capable of inspiring such intense feelings


What kind of man loves like this?
What kind of person has the power to leave such a lasting impact




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN HILL, THOMAS HULL, FLORENCE WELCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

wtfarockfish

Ok, I've watched this video three times and read the lyric sheet over, I think I'm ready to offer my analysis: 

The main theme this song deals with is being trapped in an abusive relationship with someone who constantly pulls you in and then pushes you away. They never cut the cord and set you free, but also are never truly there for you. You know something isn't right, but every time you try to escape, they seduce you anew.

Knowing this, the video slowly starts to make sense. It begins by introducing the idea of a partner that would prefer to let Florence suffer alone than wake her up and free her. The storm is a metaphor for their relationship. Trouble is lurking on the horizon, but when Florence is with her partner she is in the eye of the storm; she can't feel it, but she knows something is wrong. 

The dance with the group of men represents the different states of her partner's personality and emotions. They repeatedly try to seduce her and then they push her away and ignore her. When she tries to break free and escape, the man she loves appears again and reels her back in. This pattern repeats itself several times.

The car crash is also a metaphor for their love. Everything appears to be fine, but she can sense something is wrong. Only when it finally crashes can she drag herself free of the wreck (her relationship).

As for the water scene, I'm not completely sure. Perhaps a rebirth? 



Demetrius T.

I was on a heavy tip
Tryna cross a canyon with a broken limb
You were on the other side
Like always, wondering what to do with life
I already had a sip
So I'd reasoned I was drunk enough
To deal with it
You were on the other side
Like always, you could never make your mind

And with one kiss
You inspired a fire of devotion
That lasted 20 years
What kind of man loves like this

To let me dangle at a cruel angle
Oh my feet don't touch the floor
Sometimes you're half in and then you're half out
But you never close the door

What kind of man loves like this
What kind of man
What kind of man loves like this
What kind of man

You're a holy fool all coloured blue
Red feet upon the floor
You do such damage, how do you manage?
Tryna crawl in back for more

And with one kiss
You inspired a fire of devotion
That lasted 20 years
What kind of man loves like this

What kind of man loves like this
What kind of man
What kind of man loves like this
What kind of man

But I can't beat you
Cause I'm still with you
Oh mercy I implore ("Oh mercy, " I implore)
How do you do it
I think I'm through it
Then I'm back against the wall

What kind of man loves like this
What kind of man
What kind of man loves like this
What kind of man

What kind of man loves like this
What kind of man
What kind of man loves like this
What kind of man



manu_miles85

**LIKE** LIKE*** LIKE**

I was on a heavy tip
Tryna cross a canyon with a broken limb
You were on the other side
Like always, wondering what to do with life
I already had a sip
So I'd reasoned I was drunk enough to deal with it
You were on the other side
Like always, you could never make your mind

And with one kiss
You inspired a fire of devotion
That lasted 20 years
What kind of man loves like this

To let me dangle at a cruel angle
Oh my feet don't touch the floor
Sometimes you're half in and then you're half out
But you never close the door

What kind on man loves like this
What kind of man (2)

You are a holy fool all coloured blue
Red feet upon the floor
You do such damage, how do you manage?
Tryna clawl in back for me

And with one kiss
You inspired a fire of devotion
That lasted 20 years
What kind of man loves like this

What kind on man loves like this
What kind of man (2)

But I can't beat you
Cause I'm still with you
Oh mercy I implore
How do you do it
I think I'm trough it
Then I'm back against the wall

What kind on man loves like this
What kind of man (4)

**LIKE** LIKE*** LIKE**



All comments from YouTube:

Nikolaika77

This is her best album! Those 11 songs are truly a masterpiece.

Zegathé Lecter

wait til u listen to deluxe and b sides an ureleased. she gave her whole heart on this one ngl

newman

​@Zegathé Lecter can you tell me the names of the songs?

Zegathé Lecter

@newman As Far as I Could Get, Hiding, Make Up Your Mind, Which Witch" (Demo), Third Eye" (Demo), How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Demo), Pure Feeling and Conductor.
Those are the songs that are released on different versions of the album, but the same era.
My fav my far is As Far As I Could Get. :D

TheVelvetOct

@Zegathé Lecter I agree entirely - Pure Feeling is my favourite Florence song and I've been listening to her since I was 15 when Lungs came out. It is like everything I adore about her music condensed into three minutes of a pure masterpiece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKMuwfC4lDE

okapi

Completely agree! I love love love this album, all the songs are so strong and left a huge mark on me. I hope to see her live one day and sing at least one of them!

Mustafa Kulle

Florence needs to be in a movie of her own.

Cathe Rina

+Mustafa Kulle i agree with you!

Maymun Hüsnü

+Mustafa Kulle sen TÜRK MÜSÜN ?

Mustafa Kulle

Burak güngör
 Kibris'liyim (I'm a Cypriot)

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