Feel the Flo

No matter how much I would like it if the response I get when I ask, "Do you know Florence + the Machine?" wasn't "Oh yea, they do that song 'Dog Days Are Over,'" I feel like that's what I'll always get. Those who inhabit the United Kingdom just have taken on more of a passion, appreciation, and understanding of Flo than those of us in the United States. Now, I'm not saying that they don't have a following. I mean they recently completed their US tour (which I attended and seemed rather successful), which included an appearance at Bonnaroo. I just wish they gave her more of a chance than her seemingly only catchy song.

I was actually introduced to Florence + the Machine way back in 2009 by a good friend of mine. Yes, I realize this was right when Flo came out with their first CD, Lungs, which was yet again, another year before people caught on to "Dog Days Are Over" (which if you still haven't heard it, take a listen here). The first song I heard from Flo was called "Cosmic Love" (again, I implore you, if you are unfamiliar, listen/view here.

All their material from Lungs is outstanding! But that's not what I'm here to share. I am eagerly anticipating the release of Flo's sophomore album, Ceremonials. So far, Flo has released two singles. The first I heard and was a little disappointed. It was called, "What the Water Gave Me." She actually performed it when I saw her live in Philly. It was such an ethereal experience because we were on a pier and there was water there, and as she explained her reasoning behind the song (a thanks/tribute to what water has done for her), it just fit so perfectly. However, removed from the scene it did not seem as magical. Whenever it came up on shuffle I would skip it. Yet, as a true Flo fan, I gave it a couple more listens and developed my own personal cult following to it. Its creepy tones and atypical sounds (also lack of excessive harp - which had a rather heavy influence on Lungs) grew on me and it even invited me to even reflect on what water had done for me to the point of putting it repeat as opposed to skipping it.

But no, it's not "What the Water Gave Me" that I want to anticipate success for, it's Flo's second single, titled "Shake It Out"



I love almost everything about this song. I can relate to it emotionally, experientially, personally. I can identify with Flo here. I have trouble living in the past and moving on, as I "drag my horse around." But she brings in a spiritual aspect as well. She does this several times when she says, "it's hard to dance with a devil on your back." Now she may be talking about a metaphorical devil and I'm not here to analyze song lyrics (per-say) but another reason I love music so much is because I love to dance. And having anything that hinders that would be downright wrong. So I agree, it's hard when you've got something bothering you to dance, however, she offers a simple means to fix the problem, "Shake him off." She brings up faith again when she says, "I'm done with my graceless heart, so tonight I'm gonna cut it out and restart." I identify with this statement spiritually. I have come to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, but for the longest time I had trouble accepting/understanding His grace. And I myself had a graceless heart for a long time. But since this past November, I've cut out my old heart, and have restarted on a new one.

Sorry for that in depth self-reflection, but it's what made it so catchy for me. It's a great philosophy for something we all experience: when things come at you, when life gets you down, keep pressing on and "shake it out." With her signature slant rhyming, simple chorus, and relate-ability, this song has potential. No, it's not as upbeat as "Dog Days Are Over," but I believe just as catchy - and includes a great thoughtful meditation!

So I'll give it a: this COULD get big.

Happy listening...and dancing! I hope you too will feel the Flo!