Their music is a mix of hard rock styles. The band cites influences such as Rage Against The Machine, Foo Fighters, Incubus, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Nirvana.
Early on, vocalist Lacey Mosley began playing music with drummer James Culpepper. Later on guitarists Jared Hartmann and Sameer Bhattacharya were recruited. "Sameer and Jared are really experimental with melodies and pedals, and we all had different influences that were all blending together with the same passionate and hopeful heart, and that brought out this beautiful feeling. It was magical," said Mosley. When they were still playing as Listen, they played with bassists Josh C. and Jonathan B.. The bassist was replaced by Kirkpatrick Seals in 2002 after he left his previous band The Grove.
All five members of the band are of the Christian faith. This faith in Jesus influences their music, but lead singer Lacey Mosley doesn't necessarily believe that makes Flyleaf a strictly Christian band. "We all share the same faith. And so when we deal with the whole 'Christian band thing,' we kind of think about something P.O.D. says, like, 'If you're a Christian, it affects everything in your life. So if you're a plumber, does that make you a Christian plumber?'" Mosley said. "I don't know the answer. We're a band, it's part of who we are, so it comes out in our music, and it's the fuel for what we do. And finding Christ saved my life. So I'm not ashamed of it at all. And most of our album reflects that".
Flyleaf released a song "Cassie" that was about the shooting of Cassie Bernall and Rachel Scott. They were shot in the head after admiting they were Christian. This is just one example of how Flyleaf are touched by events and touch others through their music.
Flyleaf released their first full-length studio album, "Flyleaf", in October 2005. The album was re-released in United States in October 2007 along with their latest digital EP, "Much Like Falling", that was released onto the iTunes store. The re-released version of "Flyleaf" contains additional acoustic tracks.
On the 10th of November 2009, Flyleaf released their second album, called "Memento Mori". The album is a little less heavy than their debut album. Two songs that were released before the official release are "Beautiful Bride" and "Again".
Songfacts reports that their third album will be called "New Horizons". The title track premiered on 89X Radio on August 1, 2012, and will be released on iTunes on August 21, 2012.
On October the 22nd 2012, Lacey Sturm/Mosley declared that she was leaving Flyleaf and that the band was splitting up. This was only a week before their new album was due to be released (New Horizons - 30th October 2012).
On November 7, 2022, it was announced by Flyleaf that Sturm had returned to the band, with the band now calling themselves "Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm".
Official site: www.flyleafmusic.com
City Kids
Flyleaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember fighting to believe in truth and how the good will win
When we were young, almost in love
Too scared to reach out for what was
Walking past the house that you grew up in, man, it looks so different now
Remembering the story of your first kiss, the feeling of my heart ripped out
When we were young, almost in love
Too scared to reach out for what was
Looking back, we tried to laugh
City kids, the ghosts of past, woah
When you were just a girl, you wrote a letter, it said that we were dearest friends
I push myself to read a little further, it said we would be 'til we're dead
But we were young, almost in love
Too scared to reach out for what was
Looking back, we tried to laugh
City kids, the ghosts of past, woah, woah
Woah
The song "City Kids" by Flyleaf talks about nostalgia and reflecting on the past through the eyes of two people who grew up in the same city. As they walk through the city which has changed over time, the lyrics highlight their memories of when they were younger and almost in love, but were too scared to reach out for what was. The first verse emphasizes their belief in truth and that good will win, but as they grow older, things change and the city is not the same anymore.
The second verse mentions the house that one of them grew up in, and how it looks so different now. The memory of their first kiss and the feeling of heartbreak when it ended still lingers on. The chorus repeats the line "When we were young, almost in love, too scared to reach out for what was" which summarizes their regret for not taking the chance when they had it.
The bridge brings in a new perspective, with a letter written by the girl to the guy, expressing their friendship that would last until death. The line "But we were young, almost in love, too scared to reach out for what was" is repeated, emphasizing the missed opportunity for a relationship. The song ends on a nostalgic and wistful note, with the chorus repeating the line "City kids, the ghosts of past, woah".
Line by Line Meaning
Walking through the city we grew up in, everything has changed again
As we stroll in our hometown, we notice that changes have happened once again.
I remember fighting to believe in truth and how the good will win
Recalling my struggles to have faith in righteousness and how virtue will triumph.
When we were young, almost in love
Too scared to reach out for what was
During our youth, there was a moment where we almost had romantic feelings for each other, but fear held us back from pursuing it.
Walking past the house that you grew up in, man, it looks so different now
Remembering the story of your first kiss, the feeling of my heart ripped out
As we pass by your childhood home, it appears changed significantly from how it used to be. I also reflect on the memory of when you had your first kiss, and how that caused me emotional pain.
Looking back, we tried to laugh
City kids, the ghosts of past, woah
In hindsight, we attempted to find humor in our memories, but they still haunt us like specters.
When you were just a girl, you wrote a letter, it said that we were dearest friends
I push myself to read a little further, it said we would be 'til we're dead
During your adolescence, you sent me a message, stating that we were inseparable friends. I force myself to read on, and it revealed that we would remain friends until our demise.
But we were young, almost in love
Too scared to reach out for what was
Looking back, we tried to laugh
City kids, the ghosts of past, woah, woah
Woah
Nonetheless, we were still youthful and nearly in love, but still, our hesitations prevented us from pursuing a relationship. As we reflect on our past, we still try to find some humor in it, but it continues to haunt us like phantoms.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: JAMES CULPEPPER, JARED CHRISTOPHER HARTMANN, KIRKPATRICK SEALS, KRISTEN LYNN MAY, SAMEER BHATTACHARYA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind