Florence + The Machine

Released: April 6, 2012

Songwriter: Florence Welch Paul Epworth

[Intro]
Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play
And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn

[Verse 1]
And I’ve been a fool and I've been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always dragging that horse around
All of his questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I’m gonna bury that horse in the ground
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
But it's always darkest bеfore the dawn

[Chorus]
Shake it out, shakе it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh-whoa

[Verse 2]
And I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn

[Chorus]
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa (Shake him off)

[Bridge]
And it’s hard to dance
With a devil on your back (Shake him off)
And given half the chance
Would I take any of it back? (Shake him off)
It’s a fine romance
But it's left me so undone (Shake him off)
(Shake him off) It’s always darkest before the dawn
Oh whoa
Oh whoa

[Breakdown]
And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't
So here’s to drinks in the dark at the end of my rope
And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope
It's a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat
'Cause looking for heaven, found the devil in me (Oh woah)
Looking for heaven, found the devil in me (Oh woah)
But, what the hell, I'm gonna let it happen to me, yeah

[Chorus]
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, oh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa

[Outro]
(What the hell...) Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
(What the hell...)
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-woah-oh
(What the hell...)
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
(What the hell...)
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-woah-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
(What the hell...)
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-woah-oh

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

MTV Unplugged

From the album

MTV Unplugged (2012)

Florence + The Machine popular songs

Shake It Out - MTV Unplugged, 2012Florence + The Machine

Florence + The Machine

MTV Unplugged