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
Traitor
Flyleaf Lyrics
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Tinted glass is hiding your eyes
It's your favorite disguise
You don't make a sound
While you're taking me for a ride
Holding secrets inside
Traitor, this is my life
Traitor, every time
I'll no longer keep you a friend of mine
Tell me once again
How'd you build a kingdom of trust?
It's beginning to rust
And where have you been?
Promises were never enough
They collect in the dust
Traitor, this is my life
I'm too strong to lie down next to a mastermind
Traitor, every time
I'll no longer keep you a friend of mine
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Traitor, this is my life
I'm too strong to lie down next to a mastermind
Traitor, every time
I'll no longer keep you a friend of mine
Traitor traitor traitor
I'll no longer keep you a friend of mine
Traitor traitor traitor
I'll no longer keep you a friend of mine
The lyrics of Flyleaf's song "Traitor" are about a person who is being deceived and manipulated by someone they thought was a close friend. The person being deceived is slowly realizing that the friendship is built on lies and that their friend may be a master manipulator. The first verse is about the person being taken on a ride by their friend, and not being able to see through the disguise of tinted glass. The friend is holding secrets that the person being deceived cannot see, yet they are becoming increasingly aware that something is not right.
The second verse is where the person begins to question their friend's trustworthiness. They ask how they built a kingdom of trust, and their friend's promises are starting to collect dust. The person realizes that they have been living in a false reality built by their friend's lies. The chorus is the person taking a stand and declaring that they will no longer keep their friend as a friend. They call them a traitor and say that they are too strong to lie down next to a mastermind.
Overall, the song is a powerful anthem about standing up to those who deceive and manipulate, and taking control of one's own life. It is a reminder that we should always be aware of the people we allow into our lives, and that true friendship should be built on honesty and trust.
Line by Line Meaning
Pull your window down
Lower your car window
Tinted glass is hiding your eyes
The dark car window is preventing me from seeing your eyes
It's your favorite disguise
You often hide behind this tinted glass
You don't make a sound
You're not saying anything
While you're taking me for a ride
You're manipulating me and leading me astray
Holding secrets inside
You're keeping important information from me
Tell me once again
Remind me one more time
How'd you build a kingdom of trust?
How did you establish a relationship based on trust?
It's beginning to rust
But that relationship is deteriorating
And where have you been?
What have you been up to?
Promises were never enough
You've made promises that you haven't kept
They collect in the dust
Those broken promises are piling up and being forgotten
Traitor, this is my life
You're a traitor and your actions are affecting my life
I'm too strong to lie down next to a mastermind
I won't let you manipulate me like a puppet
Traitor, every time
You've betrayed me repeatedly
I'll no longer keep you a friend of mine
I won't consider you my friend anymore
Traitor traitor traitor
You are a traitor
I'll no longer keep you a friend of mine
I won't continue to associate with you
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: JAMES CULPEPPER, JARED CHRISTOPHER HARTMANN, KIRKPATRICK SEALS, KRISTEN LYNN MAY, SAMEER BHATTACHARYA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind