For those wondering: (/ˈmaɪdəs/; Greek: Μίδας) is the name of one of at least three members of the royal house of Phrygia. The most famous is popularly remembered in Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. This came to be called the golden touch, or the touch.
It's funny, but I always thought of this song as a metaphor for growing up. You gain the gift of independence but must also take the responsibilities that come with it. At first it seems very appealing, like the looking-glass, but the appeal fades as you begin to comprehend the challenges. You "look around" for your parents, for some assurance that you're not alone, and wish you could be brave. Then "in the spring", you shed your childhood for adulthood. The final sacrifice is your innocence, the red waters are the pain of loss, and being turned into gold is other people trying to turn you into someone you're not until you figure out how to be your own person. When I turned eighteen, I took this as my theme song, and thought of it in terms of growing into womanhood, but it could be a song for anyone who's growing up.
I wish I knew what it were like to grieve for a lost childhood. Mine was absolute horror and I was glad for the instant I turned 18 when I ran away to never live anywhere near my family ever again. Then I stopped talking to them completely 3 years ago and it has been the happiest years of my life---I'm 41.
This song kept playing in my head on loop during the c section I had few days ago. I couldn’t remember all the lyrics and I’m listening now and my mind is blown. Amazing how this song can be interpreted in so many different ways.
There are no words for how much I love Florence. Every album she makes she some how manages to make it better than the last. The Odyssey is a magnificent work of art and I cants stop listening to it. She completely captured the human experience with that piece of work. How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful completely blew my soul to pieces in the best way. Love her and she should absolutely have a Grammy by now.
It also references Midas, who, in greek mythology, was bestowed with the gift to turn everything he touched into gold. Unfortunately that also applied to people, like his daughter.
The matrix borrowed lots of metaphors from Alice in Wonderland. So I don’t think there’s an actual link to the Matrix in this song. The lyrics are made up of a lot of old literary themes. From CS Lewis to the bible to Greek mythology.
Her lyrics are filled with secretive personality. They are the type which you have to study, and while you're desperate to read between the lines you have to listen with a dreamy haze in order to feel the full potential of the song and understand.
I love music like this because the singer has a magical voice, the music itself is ethereal, and the lyrics are like incantations that provide something so powerful and unique to each listener and even make the same listener feel different emotions each time they listen to a song.
I relate to this song too well, I identify with the lines, "here I am, the rabbit-hearted girl" and "I wish I could just be brave. I must become the lion-hearted girl".
she's werid she's out of the ordinary, she's not like any other artist I've heard or seen She's 100% unqiue and I absoulty love her. Thank You Florence+The Machine but going against all of mainstream today and being yourself :)
I love this song, Florence & The Machine is epic and I love all of their songs. Florence's song is amazing, it's like all of nature wrapped up in a voice
i wasnt sure whether i liked this artist untill i heard this song , ipod through loud, feeling every beat, the tones, and most importantly the words.. wow it took me by suprize considering this genre does not usually get my head turning!
Hello! Well, she often makes them so that the songs are open to a bunch of different interpretations.. Listen to her song "Never Let Me Go", tons of people have different interpretations of it... But, I love her voice, and the way her songs make me feel.
Thanks for making this video, this is one of my absolute favorite FatM songs! I actually wrote an paper on it for my AP English class last year, explaining how it related to Quentin Compson from The Sound and the Fury.
@MastersDoll a rabbit hearted girl is referring to a girl who is shy, weak, and easily used (like as a prey), but later on in the song, she turns into the lion hearted girl so she eventaully gains power or rather works her way up the food chain.
Yes, when I was listening to this song I thought it wasn't the song I was thinking of. I really love the uncut version. It really misses the cut out lyrics.
I'm the only one in my class who knows(and loves) Florence + The Machine. Which makes meh 'weird' for not liking today's kind of music. But I keep my head held high and ignore them. Quite proud of myself for discovering her. :D
This song isn't like anything I usually listen to. Yet I love it. Is it just me, or do you get a very "Alice in wonderland" feel from it, only a lot brighter? It's inspired the concept for a novel that I now can't wait to start writing...
I found this song when I saw my best friend cheat on her husband and I had to choose on who to betray. Her, for telling Him by pretending it didnt happen Or even myself by not saying anything
@VikkyBot awesome reply to a awesome track !!!! ive loved this track for sooo long (even though the wife dont lol ) the girl is well in my opinion gods gift lol awesome voice great track just one of many !!!!!and lyrically ?? yes up there with the best !!!!!
I just taught this song to 3 sections of high schoolers. The meanings they assigned to the lyrics were pretty insightful. Of course, the ones that insisted on it being a pregnancy song.....
She sounds so... scared, in this song. I love it. I love how she can admit that she could sell out & change everything, but she'll keep singing anyway. That takes guts.
i sing along, but it just sounds lame and i end up staring, mesmerised at the screen, listening to her voice soaring like a pheonix, while mine splats like mud....
@wedidentstartthefire The chords hit u like a tidal wave. I'm not a musician but the chords are kind of unexpected, but they fit like pieces in a puzzle, plus her voice is gorgeous
@TheEllinida97 its about how she had to sacrifice eveything she made herself to be for her music career. she's explaining the change she went thru and how hard it was
Midas is an old greek Myth about a King who Loved Gold. The only thing he loved more was his Daughter. He had such greed that when granted one wish - he asked everything he touched turned to Gold. But then all his food and water (etc) does. Then to end it off he sit and tells his daughter about his day of sadness. They hug which accidently turns her to Gold. - thats what the lyrics about midas is saying
i don't understand how no one sees the obvious references to substance abuse and codependency this song has. like: "Was that the wrong pill to take?" "Who is the lamb and who is the knife?" Midas is supplying her with these pills and that's why she always has to make sacrifices for him so that he can "turn her to gold", and she's extremely dependent on him doing this. "i must become a lionhearted girl before i make the final sacrifice" she knows she needs to stop this before this relationship with Midas ends her, and she's gonna have to be brave to accomplish this.
I have a question for people whom from UK or USA do you really understund all the words in her songs because i speak english but i don't really understund her songs and what they really talk about however i'm in love with her voice.greetings from morocco !!
@fulham389 5 hiya. not all english speaking people understand her music either as she's referencing something or being symbolic. there's a lot of explanations/interpretations in the comments so you can read those! :)
For those wondering:
(/ˈmaɪdəs/; Greek: Μίδας) is the name of one of at least three members of the royal house of Phrygia. The most famous is popularly remembered in Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. This came to be called the golden touch, or the touch.
I love how her songs are confusing poetry wrapped in tunes that I can't recognize so I turn to gold like she did.....
It's funny, but I always thought of this song as a metaphor for growing up. You gain the gift of independence but must also take the responsibilities that come with it. At first it seems very appealing, like the looking-glass, but the appeal fades as you begin to comprehend the challenges. You "look around" for your parents, for some assurance that you're not alone, and wish you could be brave. Then "in the spring", you shed your childhood for adulthood. The final sacrifice is your innocence, the red waters are the pain of loss, and being turned into gold is other people trying to turn you into someone you're not until you figure out how to be your own person. When I turned eighteen, I took this as my theme song, and thought of it in terms of growing into womanhood, but it could be a song for anyone who's growing up.
You're brilliant.
I thought it was sex and trying to find a partner. That might be why we both thought "womanhood" and "growing up," but it sounds more carnal to me.
I think I first heard this when I was 17. I'm 19 now, and I think your interpretation is just how I feel about it
It's about witchcraft
I wish I knew what it were like to grieve for a lost childhood. Mine was absolute horror and I was glad for the instant I turned 18 when I ran away to never live anywhere near my family ever again. Then I stopped talking to them completely 3 years ago and it has been the happiest years of my life---I'm 41.
This song kept playing in my head on loop during the c section I had few days ago. I couldn’t remember all the lyrics and I’m listening now and my mind is blown. Amazing how this song can be interpreted in so many different ways.
There are no words for how much I love Florence. Every album she makes she some how manages to make it better than the last. The Odyssey is a magnificent work of art and I cants stop listening to it. She completely captured the human experience with that piece of work. How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful completely blew my soul to pieces in the best way. Love her and she should absolutely have a Grammy by now.
this song just leaves you feelin energised and relaxed at the same time. Love her lyrics and smokin voice
So many references... (Alice ad Wonderlnd, Matrix etc. just in the first verse)
It also references Midas, who, in greek mythology, was bestowed with the gift to turn everything he touched into gold. Unfortunately that also applied to people, like his daughter.
slightlyinsaneFTW peepee
The matrix borrowed lots of metaphors from Alice in Wonderland. So I don’t think there’s an actual link to the Matrix in this song. The lyrics are made up of a lot of old literary themes. From CS Lewis to the bible to Greek mythology.
Her lyrics are filled with secretive personality. They are the type which you have to study, and while you're desperate to read between the lines you have to listen with a dreamy haze in order to feel the full potential of the song and understand.
I love music like this because the singer has a magical voice, the music itself is ethereal, and the lyrics are like incantations that provide something so powerful and unique to each listener and even make the same listener feel different emotions each time they listen to a song.
I relate to this song too well, I identify with the lines, "here I am, the rabbit-hearted girl" and "I wish I could just be brave. I must become the lion-hearted girl".
same
I first heard this when I was reading the Hunger Games books, so it will always remind me of Katniss.
I relate this song to Katniss Everdeen as well.
she's werid she's out of the ordinary, she's not like any other artist I've heard or seen
She's 100% unqiue and I absoulty love her. Thank You Florence+The Machine but
going against all of mainstream today and being yourself :)
I can't get enough of this song. So catchy!!! I've played it like 12 times in a row.
MY FRIEND IS GETTING ME ADDICTED TO FLORENCE HELP ME
You don't need help :)
Marthepixeloffandoms73 just accept it. Let the water take you
nice!!! enjoy
Keep calm and love Florence
no
Her voice is incredibly strong and beautiful!
A lovely song. I always feel stronger when listening to this.
I love this song, Florence & The Machine is epic and I love all of their songs. Florence's song is amazing, it's like all of nature wrapped up in a voice
i wasnt sure whether i liked this artist untill i heard this song , ipod through loud, feeling every beat, the tones, and most importantly the words.. wow it took me by suprize considering this genre does not usually get my head turning!
Florence songs is the best she my fave artist now, she talks about all the things in life that can bring you down hard but there is always hope :)
Thanks for uploading this!! Epic tune!
Cant get enough
+Hayden Hall The harmony vocals on this are fucking superb. layered and layered and beautiful. one of top f+tm tracks
Hello!
Well, she often makes them so that the songs are open to a bunch of different interpretations.. Listen to her song "Never Let Me Go", tons of people have different interpretations of it... But, I love her voice, and the way her songs make me feel.
robots dont have feelings ;P ;D
this is what i call real music, this is a gift
So jealous of her voice, this woman is amazing!
OMG why I had not heard this before? She is just amazing:) Shes a true artist!
Thanks for posting the uncut version! Most of the videos of this song are shortened. :-(
I thought i had never heard this song at the start, then i got bored but then the chorus came and I was like... OMG i know this song... I LOVE IT!!
Thanks for making this video, this is one of my absolute favorite FatM songs! I actually wrote an paper on it for my AP English class last year, explaining how it related to Quentin Compson from The Sound and the Fury.
probably my most favorite song of all time!!
This is giving me infinity war depression, it just remind me of some character
Oh no... I can see this going with the movie :'(
It Endgame Depression now boi
@MastersDoll a rabbit hearted girl is referring to a girl who is shy, weak, and easily used (like as a prey), but later on in the song, she turns into the lion hearted girl so she eventaully gains power or rather works her way up the food chain.
F + tM has such powerful music. They're truly amazing, and I hope to see more of their artistry in the future.
I love the references to ancient British history in this.
I love her voice! And the lyrics! ;) AMAZING!
thankyou, i'm just glad this song hasn't gotten old for me yet! :)
when you listen to her songs, dont look at one sentence,listen to the rhythym, the tune, how she uses her voice and from that, you get a meaning.
She really has a strong and nice voice. Can't stop hearing this.
i lov florence and the machine and this made my day x
I LOVE her music.
Yes, when I was listening to this song I thought it wasn't the song I was thinking of. I really love the uncut version. It really misses the cut out lyrics.
I'm the only one in my class who knows(and loves) Florence + The Machine. Which makes meh 'weird' for not liking today's kind of music. But I keep my head held high and ignore them. Quite proud of myself for discovering her. :D
thanks! i just really love this song so i'm glad ppl like it! :)
and in the spring i shed my skin, the waters turn from blue to red as towards the sky i offer it... my fave lyric
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SONG!
I've got the Florence and the Machine bug, I'm afraid :-) Great having the lyrics posted. Wonderfullllllllllllllllllllllll :-)
she is a time traveller from when music was god-like obviously...
affadosman bill and Ted's future? 😀😀😀
This song isn't like anything I usually listen to. Yet I love it. Is it just me, or do you get a very "Alice in wonderland" feel from it, only a lot brighter? It's inspired the concept for a novel that I now can't wait to start writing...
their songs are so deep and true that is why i listen to them
I found this song when I saw my best friend cheat on her husband and I had to choose on who to betray.
Her, for telling
Him by pretending it didnt happen
Or even myself by not saying anything
i love her sooooooooo much how does someone be so amazing?
amazing i loove the pre-chourus and chourus
and bridge
favourite song it is soooo amzing u keep singing !! luv ya x
I adore this song!
Florence u kick ass :)
@VikkyBot awesome reply to a awesome track !!!! ive loved this track for sooo long (even though the wife dont lol ) the girl is well in my opinion gods gift lol awesome voice great track just one of many !!!!!and lyrically ?? yes up there with the best !!!!!
I love her! Flornce and the machine is so quirky and cool!
I just taught this song to 3 sections of high schoolers. The meanings they assigned to the lyrics were pretty insightful. Of course, the ones that insisted on it being a pregnancy song.....
Great job and brilliant track! 5/5
Asolutely love this
She sounds so... scared, in this song. I love it. I love how she can admit that she could sell out & change everything, but she'll keep singing anyway. That takes guts.
ily this song
I agree it is funny but also very powerful and beautiful, with her smooth and wonderful voice.😀😃
thanks for this, amazing.
So many of their songs remind me of Cassie from Animorphs
I LOVE IT!
I LOVE FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!
i sing along, but it just sounds lame and i end up staring, mesmerised at the screen, listening to her voice soaring like a pheonix, while mine splats like mud....
Fiona B same
Sad, but a beautiful metaphor
That was a solid burn. Well done.
This reminds me of Alice and Wonderful mixed with the Brother's Grimm Fairytales
i cant stop listening to it...:S i'm addicted....
amazing i loove the pre-chourus and chourus
@wedidentstartthefire The chords hit u like a tidal wave. I'm not a musician but the chords are kind of unexpected, but they fit like pieces in a puzzle, plus her voice is gorgeous
i really like this song. i sit in my house every day and sing it.
@TheEllinida97 its about how she had to sacrifice eveything she made herself to be for her music career. she's explaining the change she went thru and how hard it was
her songs are like a really long sigh or a long inhale of fresh air
OH GREAT pure awesomeness!♥
Midas is an old greek Myth about a King who Loved Gold. The only thing he loved more was his Daughter. He had such greed that when granted one wish - he asked everything he touched turned to Gold. But then all his food and water (etc) does. Then to end it off he sit and tells his daughter about his day of sadness. They hug which accidently turns her to Gold. - thats what the lyrics about midas is saying
this song is amazing she's fab
Idgaf if a million of you like the dubstep version, the original will ALWAYS BE THE BEST. (IMO)
This song makes me want to walk down the aisle on my wedding day in a long gold dress during golden hour
i don't understand how no one sees the obvious references to substance abuse and codependency this song has. like:
"Was that the wrong pill to take?"
"Who is the lamb and who is the knife?"
Midas is supplying her with these pills and that's why she always has to make sacrifices for him so that he can "turn her to gold", and she's extremely dependent on him doing this.
"i must become a lionhearted girl before i make the final sacrifice"
she knows she needs to stop this before this relationship with Midas ends her, and she's gonna have to be brave to accomplish this.
it's an interpretation ;)
Such an amazing song. :D
I have a question for people whom from UK or USA do you really understund all the words in her songs because i speak english but i don't really understund her songs and what they really talk about however i'm in love with her voice.greetings from morocco !!
Love this song 💘
Your so cool. Calling people you don't know names. You will go far in life
good work!
Wow... this song is GREAT! :D
i love this friggin' song
0:01 od razu robi się przyjemnie
@fulham389 5 hiya. not all english speaking people understand her music either as she's referencing something or being symbolic. there's a lot of explanations/interpretations in the comments so you can read those! :)
This song reminds me sooo much of The Hunger Games series (:
It's different from the 'official video' version!
Such a beautiful song :)
great job!
I always get the chills when she sings @ 0:54 and 1:59!
muy buena cancionn
lol i listened to this song from germany to jfk 7 hours strait, great song
GREAT LYRICS!
1:00 goosebumps 😍
loooooooooooooooooooooovw this song it's sooooooooo good
great lyrics :)
Good for you for standing up, and sharing the word of Jesus!