Florence explained the song's meaning on her Myspace:
"Kiss with a Fist" is NOT a song about domestic violence. It is about two people pushing each other to psychological extremes because they are fighting but they still love each other. The song is not about one person being attacked, or any actual physical violence, there are no victims in this song. Sometimes the love two people have for each other is a destructive force. But they can't have it any other way, because it's what holds them together, they enjoy the drama and pushing each other's buttons. The only way to express these extreme emotions is with extreme imagery, all of which is fantasism and nothing in the song is based on reality. Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love" isn't actually about her bleeding and this song isn't actually about punching someone in the mouth.
The song was first recorded as "Happy Slap" by Florence's earlier band, Ashok.
Kiss With a Fist
Florence the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
You hit me once
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed, oh
My black eye casts no shadow
Your red eye sees nothing
Your slap don't stick
Your kicks don't hit
So we remain the same
Love sticks
Sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick to the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better then none
A kiss with a fist is better then none
I broke your jaw once before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
You broke my leg in return
So sit back and watch the bed burn
Love sticks
Sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better then none, oh
A kiss with a fist is better then none
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed, oh
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
The lyrics of Florence and the Machine's song "Kiss With a Fist" describe a toxic and violent relationship. The song tells the story of a couple who are constantly engaged in physical altercations. The lyrics illustrate a destructive cycle of violence in which the singer and her partner engage in a never-ending cycle of abuse, each retaliating against the other with escalating violence.
The line "Love sticks // Sweat drips" perhaps alludes to the idea that despite the violence, there is still a strong connection between the two. However, the line "Break the lock if it don't fit" can be interpreted as a plea for freedom from the cycle of violence. The line "A kiss with a fist is better than none" is particularly noteworthy as it suggests that the singer would rather be involved in a violent relationship than be alone. Overall, the song is a commentary on the often dysfunctional nature of relationships and how patterns of behavior can become normalized even if they are harmful.
Line by Line Meaning
You hit me once
You physically assaulted me on one occasion
I hit you back
I retaliated with physical force when you hit me
You gave a kick
You kicked me while I was down
I gave a slap
I hit you back with my hand
You smashed a plate over my head
You threw a plate at me, injuring me
Then I set fire to our bed, oh
In response, I lit our bed on fire, destroying our shared space
My black eye casts no shadow
My pain is not visible to others who don't know us
Your red eye sees nothing
Your pain is also not visible to outside observers
Your slap don't stick
Your physical abuse doesn't affect me anymore
Your kicks don't hit
Your physical violence doesn't harm me anymore
So we remain the same
Our abusive cycle continues unperturbed
Love sticks
Despite the toxic nature of our relationship, we still feel attached
Sweat drips
Our fighting is intense and physically draining
Break the lock if it don't fit
We need to break free from our unhealthy relationship
A kick to the teeth is good for some
Violence can be empowering for some individuals
A kiss with a fist is better then none
We would rather have any kind of physical interaction, even if it's violent, than have no physical intimacy at all
I broke your jaw once before
I caused serious physical harm to you before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
I caused you to bleed in a fight
You broke my leg in return
You retaliated against me and caused me physical injury
So sit back and watch the bed burn
Our relationship is in flames and there's nothing we can do to stop it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FLORENCE LEONTINE MARY WELCH, MATTHEW DAVID ALLCHIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tinalovell7989
Quote from Florence and the Machine's myspace page:
"Kiss with a fist is NOT a song about domestic violence.
it is about two people pushing each other to phsycological extremes because they love each other.
the song is not about one person being attacked, or any actual physical violence, there are no victims in this song.
sometimes the love two people have for each other is a destructive force. but they cant have it any other way,
because its what holds them together, they enjoy the drama and pushing each others buttons.
the only way to express these extreme emotions is with extreme imagery, all of which is fantasism and nothing in the song is based on reality.
leona lewis's bleeding love isn't actually about her bleeding.
this isnt really about punching someone in the face. thank you and goodnight."
@yasemineger713
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
My black eye casts no shadow
Your red eye sees nothing
Your slaps don't stick
Your kicks don't hit
So we remain the same
love sticks
sweat drips
break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
A kiss with a fist is better than none
I broke your jaw once before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
You broke my leg in return
so let's sit back and watch the bed burn
love sticks
sweat drips
break the lock if it don't fit
@brunotruta23
KISS WITH A FIST LYRICS
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Verse 1]
My black eye casts no shadow
Your red eye sees no blame
Your slaps don't stick
Your kicks don't hit
So we remain the same
[Chorus 2]
Blood sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Whoa, a kiss with a fist is better than none
[Verse 2]
Broke your jaw once before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
You broke my leg in return
So let's sit back and watch the bed burn
[Chorus 2]
Blood sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Whoa, a kiss with a fist is better than none
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Guitar solo]
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
@Nicholas-kt4ul
"Kiss With A Fist"
Florence + The Machine #Lungs
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Verse 1]
My black eye casts no shadow
Your red eye sees no blame
Your slaps don't stick
Your kicks don't hit
So we remain the same
[Chorus 2]
Blood sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Whoa, a kiss with a fist is better than none
[Verse 2]
Broke your jaw once before
I spilled your blood upon the floor
You broke my leg in return
So let's sit back and watch the bed burn
[Chorus 2]
Blood sticks, sweat drips
Break the lock if it don't fit
A kick in the teeth is good for some
A kiss with a fist is better than none
Whoa, a kiss with a fist is better than none
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
[Chorus 1]
You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate
Over my head
Then I set fire to our bed
@aliteralcrouton4876
This song is forever a Christmas song to me, thanks to Community
@hoid5250
Its December 10th!
@Nan.C
WWBJD?
@yanionthestreet
Ikr? Jeff winger
@outlawrip-offartist4161
SwagMonster 101 Pierce punches you in the face.
@user-xk1gp4fo4c
IT’S DECEMBER 10th! (Literally!)
@SaoirseK
If 2009 could only be represented by a single music video this would be it. ❤
@nameface6934
if you like Florence and the machine you should check out Lonely Gimmick - All Along the Watchtower, it gives me Florence vibes and it's a great take on a classic song
@LifeOfJimbo
this was 2008 tho 👀
@SaoirseK
@@LifeOfJimbo correct Kiss With A Fist the song itself was released in 2008. However the music video was released later. Not only because of the success of the song within the South London music scene but to help showcase F+TM to a wider auidence. The music video was released on the 25th November 2009 to be exact hence the strong 2009 aesthetic.