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
Red Sam
Flyleaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Empty hands
Wishing my wrists were bleeding
To stop the pain from the beatings
There you stood
Holding me
Waiting for me to notice you
But who are you
You are the truth (you are the truth)
Out screaming these lies
You are the truth (you are the truth)
Saving my life
The warmth of your embrace
Melts my frostbitten spirit
You speak the truth and I hear it
The words are I love you
And I have to believe in you
But who are you
You are the truth (you are the truth)
Out screaming these lies
You are the truth (you are the truth)
Saving my life
My hands are open
And you are filling them
Hands in the air
In the air, in the air, in the air
And I worship
And I worship
And I worship
And I worship
You are the truth (you are the truth)
Out screaming these lies
You are the truth (you are the truth)
Saving my life
"Red Sam" is a song that deals with the heavy and difficult topics of pain, abuse and insecurity, while seeking a sense of truth, hope and salvation. The opening lines express an intense suffering, where the singer is so desperate that she wishes her wrists were bleeding, indicating a desire to self-harm as a way to cope with the pain from the beatings, which could be either physical or emotional. However, she is met by someone who had been there all along, waiting for her to notice them. This someone is the truth, which is personified as a saving force that offers warmth, love, and hope. The truth is the antidote to the lies and the deceit that have been inflicted on the singer, and it offers her a way out of the suffering.
As the song progresses, the warmth of the truth's embrace melts the singer's frostbitten spirit. This encounter with the truth is both emotional and spiritual, and its transformative power is reflected in the line "My hands are open, and you are filling them", which suggests a sense of surrender to a higher power. The truth is worshipped, indicating an act of acknowledgement and gratitude for saving the singer's life.
Overall, "Red Sam" is a powerful song that speaks to the human experience of pain and abuse, while offering a sense of hope and redemption through the discovery of the truth. The song's dark themes are ultimately illuminated by the transformative power of love and faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I stand
I am currently in a situation where I feel lost and confused.
Empty hands
I have nothing to hold onto, no physical or emotional support.
Wishing my wrists were bleeding
I am so overwhelmed by the pain I feel that I am considering self-harm as a way to cope.
To stop the pain from the beatings
I want to escape the emotional or physical abuse I might be experiencing.
There you stood
Despite feeling alone, someone is there for me but I am not aware of their presence.
Holding me
This person wants to give me comfort, reassurance, and love.
Waiting for me to notice you
This person is waiting for me to realize that they are here for me and that they genuinely care.
But who are you
I don't know who this person is, but I am curious to find out more.
You are the truth (you are the truth)
This person represents honesty, genuineness, and authenticity.
Out screaming these lies
This person is shouting the truth because they want me to hear it and believe it.
Saving my life
This person is helping me in a way that is truly valuable and meaningful – they are saving me.
The warmth of your embrace
This person's love and affection make me feel validated, appreciated, and accepted.
Melts my frostbitten spirit
This person is helping me feel better and more hopeful after feeling emotionally numb and cold.
You speak the truth and I hear it
I am starting to hear and internalize the genuine and positive things this person is telling me.
The words are I love you
This person expresses their deep love and affection for me in a way that I feel and understand.
And I have to believe in you
I feel compelled to trust and believe in this person because they make me feel good and help me overcome my struggles.
My hands are open
I am ready and willing to receive the gifts and blessings this person has to offer.
And you are filling them
This person is giving me the support, encouragement, and validation that I need to thrive.
Hands in the air
I feel free, liberated, and inspired by this person's love and care.
In the air, in the air, in the air
This person's love and care is something that fills every inch of my being and affects me positively everywhere I go.
And I worship
I recognize and admire the amazing qualities that this person has and feel grateful for their love and care.
You are the truth (you are the truth)
This person's honesty, genuine care, and positive qualities are the most important things that I need in my life.
Out screaming these lies
This person is helping me reject and overcome the negative, destructive thoughts and beliefs that have been plaguing me.
Saving my life
This person is truly making a difference in my life, helping me overcome my struggles and hardships.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HOWARD BENSON, SAMEER BHATTACHARYA, JAMES CULPEPPER, JARED HARTMANN, WILL HOFFMAN, LACEY NICOLE MOSLEY, PAT SEALS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind