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
Sober Serenade
Flyleaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let the lights caress and spin you down
Close your eyes and wake inside your head again
Yeah, you've been wasted all day
But you reach for a pipe in a smoke-filled room
Head to the club and wreck your car again
I won't be the one to hold you
This is the sober serenade
I won't be the one who knows you
Let go of my hand
This is the sober serenade
Do you see the spell you're under
When you twist the knife that kills your soul
Or the pain you cause the ones you say you love
Or the people you leave waiting
While you build up to the perfect storm
When your lungs quit breathing will you say, "Enough"
I won't be the one to hold you
Let go of my hand
This is the sober serenade
I won't be the one who knows you
Let go of my hand
This is the sober serenade
Say enough, say enough
Say enough, say enough
Say enough
Let your head fill up with sirens
Let the lights caress and spin you down
Close your eyes and wake inside your head again
I won't be the one to hold you
Let go of my hand
This is the sober serenade
I won't be the one who knows you
Let go of my hand
This is the sober serenade
I won't be the one, won't be the one
Let go of my hand
This is the sober serenade
Serenade
Serenade
Serenade
The lyrics to "Sober Serenade" by Flyleaf convey the feeling of helplessness and frustration towards someone who is struggling with addiction. The first verse speaks of the destructive behavior of the individual, how they are wasting their day away and reaching out for a pipe in a smoke-filled room. The singer seems to be tired of dealing with this person's issues, as they caution the addict to let go of their hand. The chorus repeats the phrase "This is the sober serenade," emphasizing the theme of sobriety and the need to be released from the addiction.
The second verse confronts the addict with their actions and the consequences they are causing. The singer presents a bleak picture of the addict, twisting the knife that kills their soul while hurting loved ones and leaving people waiting. The verse ends with a question, wondering if the addict will finally realize that enough is enough when they cannot breathe anymore. The chorus is repeated once more, with a plea to say "enough" and finally break free from the addiction.
Overall, "Sober Serenade" is a poignant song about addiction and the emotional toll it takes on both the addict and those around them. The lyrics are filled with raw emotion and a sense of desperation, urging the addict to finally let go and seek help.
Line by Line Meaning
Let your head fill up with sirens
Let the chaos of your thoughts consume you
Let the lights caress and spin you down
Let the distractions of the night take hold and pull you under
Close your eyes and wake inside your head again
Escape reality and retreat into your own mind
Yeah, you've been wasted all day
You've been numbing yourself all day long
But you reach for a pipe in a smoke-filled room
You turn to addiction to numb the pain
Head to the club and wreck your car again
You engage in reckless behavior despite the consequences
Do you see the spell you're under
Do you realize the hold addiction has on you?
When you twist the knife that kills your soul
When you engage in self-destructive behavior that harms you spiritually
Or the pain you cause the ones you say you love
You hurt the people closest to you with your addiction
Or the people you leave waiting
You neglect your responsibilities and the people who depend on you
While you build up to the perfect storm
Your addiction is leading towards a catastrophic event
When your lungs quit breathing will you say, "Enough"
Will you only realize the severity of your addiction when it's too late?
Say enough, say enough
Acknowledge that you need to change
Let go of my hand
I can't save you from yourself
This is the sober serenade
This is a warning call to wake up and make a change
Serenade
A musical warning that you need to take your addiction seriously
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: JAMES CULPEPPER, JARED CHRISTOPHER HARTMANN, KIRKPATRICK SEALS, KRISTEN LYNN MAY, SAMEER BHATTACHARYA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind