Florence + the Machine – Delilah Lyrics

“Delilah” was the 4th song to be released in advance of the 2015 album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. It premiered on BBC Radio 1 at the Hottest Record. It uses the biblical tale of Samson and Delilah as a metaphor for betrayal.

The song is about Florence’s time in Miami (Florida, US), after a rough night drinking and taking pills, and anticipating a phone call from her boyfriend the following morning.

A mock-up of the situation was posted by Isabella Summers, whilst the pair recorded the demo version in Jamaica (below image).

[Verse 1]
Drifting through the halls with the sunrise
(Holding on for your call)
Climbing up the walls for that flashing light
(I can never let go)
‘Cause I’m gonna be free and I’m gonna be fine
(Holding on for your call)
‘Cause I’m gonna be free and I’m gonna be fine
(Maybe not tonight)

Now the sun is up and I’m going blind
(Holding on for your call)
Another drink just to pass the time
(I can never say no)
‘Cause I’m gonna be free and I’m gonna be fine
(Holding on for your call)
‘Cause I’m gonna be free and I’m gonna be fine
(Maybe not tonight)
[Chorus]
It’s a different kind of danger
And the bells are ringing out
And I’m calling for my mother
As I pull the pillars down
It’s a different kind of danger
And my feet are spinning round
Never knew I was a dancer
‘Til Delilah showed me how

[Interlude]
Too fast for freedom
Sometimes it all falls down
These chains never leave me
I keep dragging them around

[Verse 2]
Now I’m dancing with Delilah and her vision is mine
(Holding on for your call)
A different kind of danger in the daylight
(I can never let go)
Took anything to cut you, I can find
(Holding on for your call)
A different kind of a danger in the daylight
(Can’t you let me know?)

Now it’s one more boy and it’s one more line
(Holding on for your call)
Taking the pills just to pass the time
(I can never say no)
‘Cause I’m gonna be free and I’m gonna be fine
(Holding on for your call)
‘Cause I’m gonna be free and I’m gonna be fine
But maybe not tonight

[Chorus]
It’s a different kind of danger
And the bells are ringing out
And I’m calling for my mother
As I pull the pillars down
It’s a different kind of danger
And my feet are spinning round
Never knew I was a dancer
‘Til Delilah showed me how

[Verse 3]
Now I’m dancing with Delilah and her vision is mine
(Holding on for your call)
A different kind of danger in the daylight
(I can never let go)
Took anything to cut you, I can find
(Holding on for your call)
A different kind of a danger in the daylight
(Can’t you let me know?)

[Bridge]
Strung up, strung out for your love
Hanging, hung up, it’s so rough
I’m wrung and wringing out
Why can’t you let me know?
Strung up, strung out for your love
Hanging, hung up, it’s so rough
I’m wrung and wringing out
Why can’t you let me know?

[Chorus]
It’s a different kind of danger
And the bells are ringing out
And I’m calling for my mother
As I pull the pillars down
It’s a different kind of danger
And my feet are spinning round
Never knew I was a dancer
‘Til Delilah showed me how

It’s a different kind of danger
And the bells are ringing out
And I’m calling for my mother
As I pull the pillars down
It’s a different kind of danger
And my feet are spinning around
Never knew I was a dancer
‘Til Delilah showed me how

[Outro]
Too fast for freedom
Sometimes it all falls down
These chains never leave me
I keep dragging them around
Too fast for freedom
Sometimes it all falls down
These chains never leave me
I keep dragging them around