Moderation

Album: Single release only (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Florence Welch has often sung of being an all-or-nothing kind of person when it comes to matters of the heart. She once declared that "Too Much Is Never Enough" and on "What Kind Of Man" she dissed a wishy-washy lover. Welch, you see, is only interested in a relationship that exposes the full spectrum of feelings. Here, she responds to a lover who wants to tone down her passion.

    Want me to love you in moderation
    Do I look moderate to you?
    Sip it slowly and pay attention


    Welch is telling her romantic partner that loving in moderation is not in her nature and is cross that he can't give her what she wants.
  • The chorus came from Welch's childhood memory of being told off in church.

    Then bow your head in the house of God
    And 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


    Welch is being scorned for thinking that romantic love will make her happy.
  • Welch penned "'Moderation' during the time she was writing her 2018 High As Hope album. She didn't include it on the set as "it was one of those instant songs but didn't fit with the theme of the record cos I knew I wasn't writing a relationship record."
  • The aggressive guitar anthem was produced by frequent Arctic Monkeys collaborator James Ford.
  • The song was first played by Florence Welch and her band during their Australian show at Perth's RAC Arena on January 12, 2019. It was released as a single 12 days later.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.