Florence + The Machine

Released: July 3, 2009

Songwriter: Steve Mackey Alex James Simon Stafford Florence Welch

Producer: Richard Flack Steve Mackey

[Verse 1]
Your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started to sink
Dragged further away from the shore
And deeper into the drink

[Verse 2]
Sat on the bottom of the ocean
A stern and stubborn rock
Your songs remind me of swimming
But somehow I forgot

[Verse 3]
I was sinking, and now I'm sunk
I was drinking, and now I'm drunk
Your songs remind me of swimming
But somehow I forgot

[Verse 4]
I tried to remember the chorus
I can't remember the verse
'Cause that song that sent me a' swimming
Is now the life jacket that burst

[Verse 5]
Rotting like a wreck on the ocean floor
Sinkin' like a siren that can't swim any more
Your songs remind me of swimming
But I can't swim anymore

[Chorus]
Pull me out the water, cold and blue
I open my eyes and see that it's you
So I'll dive straight back in the ocean
Yes I'll dive straight back in the ocean

[Post-Chorus]
Take a deep breath, suck the water in my chest
Take a deep breath, suck the water in my chest
Then cross my fingers
And hope for the best

[Verse 6]
Then all of a sudden, I heard a note
It started in my chest, and ended in my throat, oh
Then I realised
Then I realised
Then I realised

[Bridge]
I was swimming
Yes, I was swimming
And now I'm swimming
Yes, I am swimming

[Outro]
Your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started to sink
Your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started to sink
Oh, your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started
Your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started
To sink

Florence + the Machine is an English alternative band, co-founded by front-woman, Florence Welch, and keyboardist and producer, Isabella Summers. The band is managed by Mairead Nash who also managed the original duo, known at the time as ‘Florence Robot/Isa Machine’, after Florence Welch sang Etta James‘ “Something’s Got A Hold On Me” to her in a club bathroom in December 2006.

The band first found fame in their native UK. Their debut album, Lungs (2009), went Gold within the first week of release, Platinum in less than 6 months and 4x Platinum in just over a year. They broke into the USA market after an elaborate performance of “Dog Days Are Over” at the 2010 VMA’s.

Their sophomore album, Ceremonials (2011), debuted at #1 on the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand charts. The band embarked on their second arena-based tour, the Ceremonials Tour. Most dates completely sold out.

more tracks from the album

Lungs (10th Anniversary Edition)

From the albums

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SwimmingFlorence + The Machine

Florence + The Machine

Lungs (10th Anniversary Edition)