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
Platonic
Flyleaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh
Oh
Oh
It was cold when I came over
We were young, it was December
Stayed up late and watched a movie
Pretend like we are more than friends
We'll see where the night ends
I wake up on your floor, you wake up in your bed
Still, I like to think you said
"It's not where the story ends"
We say our sweet goodbyes
Platonic jagged knives
Oh
Oh
The pretty girl home from the city
Met that old friend who made her angry
They walked the beach when it was raining
Fell in love, and then got married
Pretend like we are more than friends
We'll see where the night ends
I wake up on your floor, you wake up in your bed
Still, I like to think you said
"It's not where the story ends"
We say our sweet goodbyes
Platonic jagged knives
Knives (platonic jagged knives)
Knives (platonic jagged knives)
Knives (platonic jagged knives)
(Platonic jagged knives)
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
The song "Platonic" by Flyleaf is an introspective piece that explores the complexities of relationships and the blurred lines between friendship and romance. The first verse describes a cold December night spent watching a movie with a friend, insinuating a possible underlying attraction. The chorus repeats the phrase "pretend like we are more than friends", suggesting a desire to take the relationship further but being held back by fear or hesitation. The second verse tells the story of a girl who falls in love with an old friend and gets married, making the theme of missed opportunity and unrequited love even more prevalent.
The bridge of the song has the repeated phrase "platonically jagged knives". This metaphor suggests that while the relationship may be platonic on the surface, it is still painful and difficult to navigate. This complexity is further emphasized in the final line of the song, "We say our sweet goodbyes", indicating a bittersweet ending to the relationship.
Overall, "Platonic" is a powerful examination of the nuances and struggles of relationships. It showcases Flyleaf's ability to weave complex and deeply emotional themes into their music.
Line by Line Meaning
It was cold when I came over
The setting of the story, highlighting the chilly weather
We were young, it was December
The time period emphasized, pointing towards their youth and the holiday season
Stayed up late and watched a movie
The two characters spent quality time together, bonding over a shared activity
About two friends that made each other angry
The movie that they watched was likely a storyline similar to their own relationship
Pretend like we are more than friends
One character expresses a desire for a deeper romantic relationship with the other
We'll see where the night ends
The unknown outcome of the night’s events creates an air of anticipation
I wake up on your floor, you wake up in your bed
The morning after the night spent together, the two characters are in different locations
Still, I like to think you said
One character imagines a positive encounter that may have happened between them
"It's not where the story ends"
The imagined words spoken by the other character, hint at a possible continuation of what has started between them
We say our sweet goodbyes
The two characters are parting on pleasant terms, with no hard feelings
Platonic jagged knives
This contrasting phrase describes their relationship, acknowledging that while it remains friendly, there is a sharp pain that comes with wanting more
The pretty girl home from the city
The introduction of a new character, a woman who is attractive and from the city
Met that old friend who made her angry
The woman reconnects with an old friend with whom she has had a difficult past
They walked the beach when it was raining
The two characters experience an intimate moment on the beach, despite the unpleasant weather
Fell in love, and then got married
The couple's relationship develops into a solid and lasting marriage
Knives (platonic jagged knives)
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the contradictory and painful nature of these unrequited feelings
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: JAMES CULPEPPER, JARED CHRISTOPHER HARTMANN, KIRKPATRICK SEALS, KRISTEN LYNN MAY, SAMEER BHATTACHARYA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind