"Moderation" is a song by Florence and the Machine released as a single on February 24, 2019. The digital release includes the B-side "Haunted House".
Background[]
The song was premiered live on January 12, 2019 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.[1] It appeared on the setlist as “MD?”, and was featured in later setlists as “Meditation”, “Train Station”, “Jubilation”, “Mashed Potation” and “Commiseration”.
Florence states that the track is “a song that demands to be played live”. It came about as a childhood memory of her being told off in church; one that has stuck with her for many years.
The track was officially premiered on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 radio show on January 24, 2019, and released on the same day along with the B-side “Haunted House”.
“Moderation” was recorded during the sessions for the band’s fourth studio album High as Hope, but, according to Florence Welch, was never included in the final cut because it didn’t fit the context of the album, which is not mainly about her relationships.
Lyrics[]
Want me to love you in moderation
Do I look moderate to you?
Sip it slowly and pay attention
I just have to see it through
You got me looking for validation
Pastures new
Want me to love you in moderation
Well, who do you think you're talking to?
Then bow your head in the house of God
Little girl, who do you think you are?
You think you need it, you think you want love
You wouldn't want it if you knew what it was
Moderation
Moderation
Moderation
I've never made it with moderation
No, I've never understood
All the feeling was all or nothing
And I took everything I could
Can't hold it back, I can't take the tension
Oh, I'm trying to be good
Want me to love you in moderation
Well don't you know, I wish I could
Then bow your head in the house of God
Little girl, who do you think you are?
You think you need it, you think you want love
You wouldn't want it if you knew what it was
Moderation
Moderation
Moderation
Girl, you better learn (I just can't win)
Can't hold it in (can't hold it in)
And girl, you better learn (I just can't win)
And I just can't win (can't hold it in)
'Cause I don't see the worth (I just can't win)
I don't see the worth
And I'm still trying to figure out if it
Always, always, always has to hurt
You want love
Moderation
Moderation
Moderation
Moderation
Critical reception[]
"Moderation" was called a "huge, cinematic stomper with gospel handclaps and a gigantic Florence Welch vocal performance at its center" by Stereogum, while "Haunted House" was described as "restrained" in contrast to "Moderation", as well as "softer and more tender".[2] Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone called the songs "brazen", further writing that "Moderation" is a rumbling piano-driven tune" about Welch confronting a "tepid lover", and "Haunted House" is about Welch "tackling the voices that keep her up late at night over a sparse arrangement that swells into a jittery blend of piano, drums and backing vocals".[3] Consequence of Sound called "Moderation" a "rousing number", while "Haunted House" was labelled "spooky and sad".[4] Billboard said "Moderation" "starts with a bang, a rousing intro", and that "Haunted House" "reveals Welch's somber side, with a tender piano accompanying Welch's lilting voice".[5]
Track listing[]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Moderation" | Florence Welch, James Ford, Thomas Bartlett | Ford | 3:08 | |
| 2. | "Haunted House" | Welch | Matthew Daniel Siskin | 1:53 |
Refrences[]
- ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H5sRRmzA4ZY
- ↑ https://www.stereogum.com/2029723/florence-the-machine-moderation-haunted-house/music/
- ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/florence-and-the-machine-new-songs-moderation-haunted-house-783987/
- ↑ https://consequence.net/2019/01/florence-machine-haunted-house-moderation-song-stream/
- ↑ https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8494836/florence-the-machine-moderation-haunted-house
[]
 | |
|---|---|
| Tour • Merch • Photoshoot • Producers | |
| Discography | |
| Releases | High As Hope |
| Tracklist | June • Hunger • South London Forever • Big God • Sky Full of Song • Grace • Patricia • 100 Years • The End of Love • No Choir |
| Non-Album | Moderation • Haunted House • Light of Love • Jenny of Oldstones • Cornflake Girl • Call me Cruella |
| Unreleased | Covered In Blood (WTF) |
| Other Eras | |
| Lungs • Ceremonials • How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful • High As Hope • Dance Fever | |