"Ship to Wreck" was met with critical acclaim, with critics praising frontwoman Florence Welch's vocals, as well as the song's production. The song received nominations for Best Rock Video at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
Ship to Wreck
Florence the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dredging the Great White Sharks, swimming in the bed
And here comes a Killer Whale, to sing me to sleep
Thrashing the covers off, it has me by it's teeth
And oh my love remind me, what was it that I said?
I can't help but pull the earth around me, to make my bed
And oh my love remind me, what was it that I did?
Am I losing touch?
Did I build this ship to wreck?
To wreck, to wreck, to wreck
Did I build this ship to wreck?
What's with the long face, do you want more?
Thousands of red-eyed mice, scratching at the door
Don't let the curtain catch you, cause you've been here before
The chair is an island darling, you can't touch the floor
And oh my love remind me, what was it that I said?
I can't help but pull the earth around me, to make my bed
And oh my love remind me, what was it that I did?
Did I drink too much?
Am I losing touch?
Did I build this ship to wreck?
To wreck, to wreck, to wreck
Did I build this ship to wreck?
And good God, under starry skies we are lost
And into the breach we got tossed
And the water's coming in fast
And oh my love remind me, what was it that I said?
I can't help but pull the earth around me, to make my bed
And oh my love remind me, what was it that I did?
Did I drink too much?
Am I losing touch?
Did I build this ship to wreck?
To wreck, to wreck, to wreck
Did I build this ship to wreck?
To wreck, to wreck, to wreck
Did I build this ship to wreck?
The lyrics for Florence + The Machine’s “Ship To Wreck” portray a sense of self-awareness and introspection. The singer is questioning whether they have become their own worst enemy, turning their life into a ‘ship to wreck.’ The song begins by referring to sleeping pills that “mess with my head,” suggesting the singer is struggling with something they can’t control. When the “Killer Whale” comes to “sing me to sleep,” this metaphorical imagery creates a sense of danger and desperation, as if the singer is being consumed by something beyond their control.
The lyrics continue to describe a feeling of being lost and out of control, with the line “Did I build this ship to wreck?” providing the song’s main metaphor. The “ship” could be a metaphor for the singer's life and choices they’ve made, leading them down a destructive path. The chorus repeats this question, emphasizing the anxiety and uncertainty of the singer’s emotional state. Overall, the lyrics of “Ship To Wreck” suggest that the singer is grappling with inner demons, acknowledging their own role in their struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't touch the sleeping pills, they mess with my head
I avoid sleeping pills because they have negative effects on my mental state
Dredging the Great White Sharks, swimming in the bed
I feel like I'm in danger, even in my own bed
And here comes a Killer Whale, to sing me to sleep
Even though I fear for my safety, I am still trying to fall asleep
Thrashing the covers off, it has me by it's teeth
My fears and anxieties are overwhelming me and taking control
And oh my love remind me, what was it that I said?
I am asking my loved one to help me recall something important
I can't help but pull the earth around me, to make my bed
I feel like I am burying myself in my problems and it's difficult to escape
And oh my love remind me, what was it that I did?
I am asking my loved one to help me recall something important
Did I drink too much?
I am questioning whether I have a problem with alcohol
Am I losing touch?
I am questioning my own sanity and whether or not I am in control of my life
Did I build this ship to wreck?
I am questioning whether the problems in my life are caused by my own actions
What's with the long face, do you want more?
I am asking someone why they look sad and if there is anything I can do to help
Thousands of red-eyed mice, scratching at the door
I feel like I am being overwhelmed by small, insignificant problems
Don't let the curtain catch you, cause you've been here before
I am warning myself not to get caught up in my own problems and fears
The chair is an island darling, you can't touch the floor
I feel isolated and disconnected from the world around me
And good God, under starry skies we are lost
I feel lost and alone in the universe
And into the breach we got tossed
I feel like I have been thrown into a difficult situation that I am not prepared to handle
And the water's coming in fast
I am overwhelmed by my problems and feel like I am drowning
To wreck, to wreck, to wreck
I am acknowledging that my life is falling apart
Did I build this ship to wreck?
I am questioning whether my own actions are causing my life to fall apart
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FLORENCE LEONTINE MARY WELCH, THOMAS EDWARD PERCY HULL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephaniapino240
Lyrics 💙
Don't touch the sleeping pills, they mess with my head
Dredging of great white sharks, swimming in the bed
And here comes a killer whale, to sing me to sleep
Thrashing the covers off, has me by its teeth
And, ah, my love remind me, what was it that I said?
I can't help but pull the earth around me to make my bed
And, ah, my love remind me, what was it that I did?
Did I drink too much? Am I losing touch?
Did I build a ship to wreck?
To wreck, to wreck, to wreck
Did I build this ship to wreck?
What's with the long face? Do you want more?
Thousands of red-eyed mice, scratching at the door
And don't let the curtain catch you, cause you've been here before
The chair is an island, darling, you can't touch the floor
And, ah, my love remind me, what was it that I said?
I can't help but pull the earth around me to make my bed
And, ah, my love remind me, what was it that I did?
Did I drink too much? Am I losing touch?
Did I build a ship to wreck?
To wreck, to wreck, to wreck
Did I build this ship to wreck?
Good God, under starless skies
We are lost, and into the breach, we got tossed
And the water is coming in fast
And, ah, my love remind me, what was it that I said?
I can't help but pull the earth around me to make my bed
And, ah, my love remind me, what was it that I did?
Did I drink too much? Am I losing touch?
Did I build a ship to wreck?
To wreck, to wreck, to wreck
Did I build this ship to wreck?
To wreck, to wreck, to wreck
Did I build this ship to wreck?
@sergiovargott
This is indeed her house she said it in the coachella interview right before the video premiere. She said that the reason why she used her house in this videoclip was because this album is really personal and she thought the best platform to show it would be the house where she wrote most of her songs for this album.. the house that saw her fight with all of her demons during the creation of this record. the house that saw her wrecked & destroyed therefore the title of the song and the wanted to portrait that in this video. The purpose of this was to let her fans in and get to know her for who she really is and we could get to see the place where all the magic & inspiration happened for "how big, how blue, how beautiful" and in case you wonder why the name of the title she also mentioned that it's a reference for the sky.This album is about the elements. being connected with nature.
@cait8573
It was also inspired by the night she did her "get lucky" cover. There's an Ellen interview which she talks about how she imitated her house party from that night into the video.
@cait8573
https://youtu.be/6FzlJiowIOg here is the interview. She is just adorable
@crystallitchfield5576
The elements are the key.
@nuneztutunyipaola8716
Reaccione a la voz de florence
@jasminebarratt1809
I like it
@TheLadyKoo
This song was on an album by husband ordered online right before he died of cancer. I received it via mail, addressed to my name. I didn't know he had ordered it. When he died I got this through the post and listened. It was his love letter to me. of all the hardship we went throught . Of all the love we had. It took me a while to realise it was him who had ordered this album, for me to be received after he had passed away. There is no purer love than the one that hurts you but you have no choice but to love. He loved me and He was the love of life.
@funsizedi88
He was an amazing man to have his swan song be a love letter of music to you. I'm so very sorry for your loss, but thsbkbyou for sharing your story.
@eddiecole30
Then he died and you realised after the album was received ..that yer mental
@jonnyweiss6083
My Condolences. YouTube - Jonny Weiss “Love.” Song. 🔔 🎶 🍷