Letting Go of the Past
A powerful song about facing your regrets and choosing to move forward.
"Regrets collect like old friends / Here to relive your darkest moments / I can see no way, I can see no way"
— Florence & The Machine, Shake It Out
Summary
These opening lines set the tone for a personal reckoning — a confrontation with the past, and a desperate desire to break free from its grip.
Explanation
The song begins with a poignant metaphor: “Regrets collect like old friends.” In just a few words, Florence & The Machine evoke the way regrets accumulate over time — not as fleeting thoughts, but as familiar presences that return to haunt us. These “old friends” aren’t comforting; they’re there to “relive your darkest moments,” dragging past pain back into the present.
The repeated phrase “I can see no way” captures a sense of emotional entrapment, signalling a point of crisis or exhaustion. It’s the feeling of being weighed down by your own history — unable to move forward, unable to see a path out.
But Shake It Out is more than a reflection on pain. It’s a battle cry for emotional release. As the lyrics progress, the song becomes a journey through darkness towards self-liberation. Florence & The Machine don't shy away from the grotesque imagery of inner demons and personal burdens — the “devil on your back” and the “mournful sound” of unresolved questions — but rather confront them directly. The repeated refrain “Shake it out” becomes both a command and an act of defiance, a way of reclaiming control from the past.
The beauty of the song lies in this tension: a gothic kind of hope, in which “letting go” comes not through denial, but through acceptance and transformation. The line “It’s always darkest before the dawn” underscores this — suggesting that the path to light must pass through shadow. In choosing to dance despite the weight, the song becomes an anthem for those determined to move forward, even when healing is incomplete.
Live Performance Detail
This amazing live performance — Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out (Live on SNL) — aired on Saturday Night Live on 19 November 2011, during Season 37. Florence Welch takes centre stage in a striking black and silver mini dress, detailed with bold, symmetrical patterns that evoke an Art Deco or gothic aesthetic. The outfit, with its deep neckline and sheer sleeves, mirrors the song’s emotional drama — elegant, intense, and spiritually charged. Backed by live drums, gospel-inspired vocals, harp, and rich instrumentation, the performance amplifies the song’s sense of ritual, release, and raw emotional power.
About Florence & The Machine
Florence & The Machine is the stage name of the English indie rock band fronted by Florence Welch, known for its sweeping orchestral sound, poetic lyricism, and emotionally charged performances. The group emerged in the late 2000s, blending elements of baroque pop, soul, and gothic imagery. Shake It Out, released in 2011 as part of their acclaimed second album Ceremonials, was written during a turbulent time in Welch’s life. It channels that darkness into a moment of clarity and catharsis, offering a stirring reflection on regret and the resilience required to let go and begin again.