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
Guilty
Flyleaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moral standards in humanity
And this all makes perfect sense to me
Except we can't keep them can we
We are all guilty
Not being all we should be
Look at your own self and see
His voice cut through the war in my head
Screaming something I could understand
And somehow we knew me when He said
Is there anyone who's desperate
For anything more than this
I'm the anyone who's desperate
For anything more than this
We are all guilty
Not being all we should be
Look at your own self and see
We are all guilty
I am so guilty
Nobody move
I want that person to hear me
Yes, I'm talking to you
If you don't believe then
Lift up your arms
Open your hands
Receive
I'm free
I'm free
The lyrics of Flyleaf's song Guilty seem to be a reflection of the human condition- what it means to be human, the idea of morality, and the impossibility of meeting these standards of morality. The verses seem to allude to the fact that humans, despite having moral standards, are unable to keep them, and as a result, are inherently guilty. The lyrics specifically highlight that we are all guilty of not being all we should be, and this guilt seems to be a crucial part of the human experience.
In the chorus, lead singer Lacey Sturm reaffirms this sentiment of guilt- 'we are all guilty', she sings, emphasizing in the lyrics that we should 'look at your own self and see' our own shortcomings. The bridge of the song is perhaps the most powerful. The lyrics seem to be an invocation of sorts, a call to anyone who feels desperate for a sense of purpose or meaning in their lives. Lacey sings, 'Is there anyone who's desperate for anything more than this? I'm the anyone who's desperate for anything more than this.' Her pleading tone can perhaps offer some solace to anyone who feels lost or alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Lewis said there plainly seems to be
Lewis asserts that there are obvious moral standards in humanity.
Moral standards in humanity
The general principles or rules that govern human behavior and conduct are present.
And this all makes perfect sense to me
The presence of these moral standards seems logical to Lewis.
Except we can't keep them can we
However, we, as humans, are incapable of keeping or upholding these moral standards perpetually.
We are all guilty
All individuals are culpable or responsible for their wrongdoing, shortcomings, and indiscretions.
Not being all we should be
Failing to live up to the standards that society sets for us, or the standards we set for ourselves.
Look at your own self and see
Take an introspective examination of oneself, and see the culpability in one's actions.
His voice cut through the war in my head
His words were the voice of reason and clarity amidst the chaos and confusion in mind.
Screaming something I could understand
Shouting something that made sense to the listener.
And somehow we knew me when He said
The listener felt understood by the artist upon hearing the words.
Is there anyone who's desperate
Does anyone feel a sense of urgency or a strong desire for something?
For anything more than this
Is anyone unsatisfied with their current state of existence?
I'm the anyone who's desperate
The singer identifies as the person who yearns for something more.
We are all guilty
All individuals are culpable or responsible for their wrongdoing, shortcomings, and indiscretions.
Not being all we should be
Failing to live up to the standards that society sets for us, or the standards we set for ourselves.
Look at your own self and see
Take an introspective examination of oneself, and see the culpability in one's actions.
We are all guilty
All individuals are culpable or responsible for their wrongdoing, shortcomings, and indiscretions.
I am so guilty
The singer expresses feeling exceptionally responsible or culpable.
Nobody move
Don't interact or cause a distraction.
I want that person to hear me
I want to address that individual specifically.
Yes, I'm talking to you
Clarifying the addressed individual that the artist is addressing them directly.
If you don't believe then
If the addressed individual is skeptical,
Lift up your arms
Raise your arms high.
Open your hands
Unclasp your hands, spread your fingers apart.
Receive
Accept or take in the sense of freedom being offered.
I'm free
The singer is denoting that they have a sense of freedom.
I'm free
The singer expressing a second time that they feel free and unburdened.
Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sarah Kilfoil
Guilty
Lewis said there plainly seems to be
Moral standards in humanity
And this all makes perfect sense to me
Except we can't keep them can we
We are all guilty
Not being all we should be
Look at your own self and see
His voice cut through the war in my head
Screaming something I could understand
And somehow we knew me when He said
Is there anyone who's desperate
For anything more than this
I'm the anyone who's desperate
For anything more than this
We are all guilty
Not being all we should be
Look at your own self and see
We are all guilty
I am so guilty
Nobody move
I want that person to hear me
Yes, I'm talking to you
If you don't believe then
Lift up your arms
Open your hands
Receive
I'm free
I'm free
Anonymous Pink
Lewis said there plainly seems to be
Moral standards in humanity
And this all makes perfect sense to me
Except we can't keep them can we
We are all guilty
Not being all we should be
Look at your own self and see
His voice cut through the war in my head
Screaming something I could understand
And somehow we knew me when He said
Is there anyone who's desperate
For anything more than this
I'm the anyone who's desperate
For anything more than this
We are all guilty
Not being all we should be
Look at your own self and see
We are all guilty
I am so guilty
Nobody move
I want that person to hear me
Yes, I'm talking to you
If you don't believe then
Lift up your arms
Open your hands
Receive
I'm free
I'm free
MCR+Flyleaf+EV
This song is Amazing! I love Flyleaf there isn't a song that they have written that I don't LOVE <3333 Keep Rockin Flyleaf! CAN'T WAIT FOR THE THIRD ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!
Londons_legacy
"nobody move" i LOVE this song!! we are all guilty!!! "his voice cut through the war in my head" love it!!!!! flyleaf is amazing!!!!!!
Julia Anglin
God Bless flyleaf<33 They have helped me so much in my life and i hope that they can keep helping others.<33
Brooke
Because songs like these are considered "unreleased"; but some of the songs like Bittersweet or Much Like Falling used to be on iTunes, but are now no longer available on there. I really wish there was a way to buy them through a CD or on iTunes though; I love their older/unreleased songs. Maybe some day they'll be available to buy, I hope.
Sarah Kilfoil
Guilty
Lewis said there plainly seems to be
Moral standards in humanity
And this all makes perfect sense to me
Except we can't keep them can we
We are all guilty
Not being all we should be
Look at your own self and see
His voice cut through the war in my head
Screaming something I could understand
And somehow we knew me when He said
Is there anyone who's desperate
For anything more than this
I'm the anyone who's desperate
For anything more than this
We are all guilty
Not being all we should be
Look at your own self and see
We are all guilty
I am so guilty
Nobody move
I want that person to hear me
Yes, I'm talking to you
If you don't believe then
Lift up your arms
Open your hands
Receive
I'm free
I'm free
Dear Leonard
I need anyone whose desperate
Anna
the beginning is one of my favorite parts, another great song by flyleaf!
Crooked Spoons
This is one of my favorite songs by flyleaf! =D WOOO GO FLYLEAF!
Shern
EVERY SONG SHE SINGS IS BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, AWSOME, ZOMGTASTIC, TRUE, POWERFUL, PERFECT AND ALL OTHER WORLDS USED TO DESCRIBE ANYTHING GOOD!!!
Angel Silk Jones
speechless, my friends don't understand how i'm african american and i listen to flyleaf all day... honestly IDGAF... i loveee flyleaf and EVERY song