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
Head Underwater
Flyleaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't think I have the strength tonight
They push me any further
I will find the words to fight
'Cause what they say about me
Cuts deeper than the sharpest knife
And in my head a replay
I'll drown in the water
If I listen to the sound
Of cruel laughter
I let the stones fall to the ground
They don't know a thing about me
And still the wolves are crying out
And I hear you say, "I'll take you away"
So will you stand for something
And give them back the ammunition
Or will you let them tell you who you are
My love is deeper than the stars
And you are bigger than the scars that you feel at night
When you're holding your pillow tight
And you're wishing someone would call you Home
It's you and I alone
It's you and I alone
You and I alone
It's you and I alone
You and I alone
Head underwater
Don't think I have the strength tonight
The song “Head Underwater” by Flyleaf is about the struggles of dealing with criticism and negative words from others. The singer feels overwhelmed by the harsh words thrown at them and admits that they feel like they might not be able to cope with it. The lyrics, “Head underwater, don’t think I have the strength tonight. They push me any further, I will find the words to fight,” suggest that the singer is at their breaking point and they need help.
The lyrics, “And in my head a replay, I’m looking at that red light,” reveal that the negative words have been playing on repeat in the singer's head, making it hard for them to move on from it. They feel like they are drowning in the negative words and it's hard for them to escape. The relief the singer is looking for is conveyed in the line “And I hear you say, ‘I'll take you away’,” indicating that someone is there for them and it’s their love that will help them escape the negativity surrounding them.
The song ends with the lines “It’s you and I alone, It’s you and I alone”. The singer suggests that at the end of the day, all that matters is their relationship with this person who supports and loves them.
Line by Line Meaning
Head underwater
Feeling overwhelmed and suffocated by personal struggles and external pressures.
Don't think I have the strength tonight
Feeling weak and drained, lacking the emotional and mental energy to deal with the challenges of the moment.
They push me any further
Feeling pressured and provoked by external forces and people who want to see one fail.
I will find the words to fight
Determined to stand up for oneself and use words to respond to criticism and negativity.
'Cause what they say about me
Referring to the negative things that people say and spread about oneself.
Cuts deeper than the sharpest knife
The words and judgments of others hurt deeply and cause emotional pain.
And in my head a replay
Can't help but replay, recall and obsess over the hurtful things people say, leading to self-doubt and anxiety.
I'm looking at that red light
Feeling stuck and uncertain, like being at a stoplight, waiting for direction and guidance.
I'll drown in the water
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless, like drowning in the depths of the water, where there's no escape.
If I listen to the sound
Acknowledging the power of negative voices and the danger of internalizing them.
Of cruel laughter
Referring to the mocking and ridiculing laughter of others, which can be hurtful and damaging.
I let the stones fall to the ground
Choosing to let go of the negative words and not internalize them, freeing oneself from the burden of their weight.
They don't know a thing about me
Reminding oneself that the negative people don't truly know who one is, and that their opinions are not the ultimate truth.
And still the wolves are crying out
Despite the effort to ignore the negative influences, they are still present and trying to bring one down.
And I hear you say, "I'll take you away"
Taking comfort and finding strength in a person who is supportive and understanding, who offers to help and protect one's emotions.
So will you stand for something
Asking oneself if one will have the courage to stand up for oneself and what one believes in, despite the negative voices.
And give them back the ammunition
Refusing to let the negative forces have the power, and instead using their negativity as motivation to prove them wrong.
Or will you let them tell you who you are
Acknowledging the danger and harm of letting the negative voices and people define and shape one's identity and worth.
My love is deeper than the stars
Reassuring oneself that there is love, affection and appreciation within oneself, which is more profound and lasting than any negative words.
And you are bigger than the scars that you feel at night
Finding pride and self-esteem in one's past struggles and emotional scars, recognizing that they don't define the whole person.
When you're holding your pillow tight
Describing the loneliness and anxiety of isolating oneself in bed at night and seeking comfort from an inanimate object.
And you're wishing someone would call you Home
Expressing the longing for emotional security, comfort and guidance by someone who can call one 'home'.
It's you and I alone
Emphasizing the idea that everyone has the power and responsibility to determine their own identity and choices, without being swayed by others.
It's you and I alone
Repeating and reinforcing the idea of individual strength, resilience and self-reliance.
You and I alone
Concluding with the powerful message of standing up for oneself and making one's own destiny, no matter how hard and challenging life can be.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: JAMES CULPEPPER, JARED CHRISTOPHER HARTMANN, KIRKPATRICK SEALS, KRISTEN LYNN MAY, SAMEER BHATTACHARYA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind