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Florence + The Machine — What the Water Gave Me (unplugged)
Album: MTV Unplugged
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2470








Released: 2012
Length: 4:49
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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Time it took us
To where the water was
That's what the water gave me
And time goes quicker
Between the two of us
Oh, my love, don't forsake me
Take what the water gave me

Lay me down
Let the only sound
Be the overflow
Pockets full of stones

Lay me down
Let the only sound
Be the overflow

And oh, poor Atlas
The world's a beast of a burden
You've been holding on a long time
And all this longing
And the ships are left to rust
That's what the water gave us

So lay me down
Let the only sound
Be the overflow
Pockets full of stones
Lay me down
Let the only sound
Be the overflow

'Cause they took your loved ones
But returned them in exchange for you
But would you have it any other way?
Would you have it any other way?
You could have it any other way

'Cause she's a cruel mistress
And the bargain must be made
But oh, my love, don't forget me
When I let the water take me

So, lay me down
Let the only sound
Be the over flow
Pockets full of stones

Lay me down
Let the only sound
Be the overflow

Lay me down
Let the only sound
Be the overflow
Pockets full of stones

Lay me down
Let the only sound
Be the overflow
Comments (151)add comment
 joko63808 wrote:

She still can't sing.


Oh she can sing alright.  For some people the problem is that she does sing.
Posted 2 months ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
She still can't sing.
Posted 2 months ago by joko63808    [ Reply ]
Gorgeous Florence and she wears the most fabulous clothes!!
Posted 3 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
The Voice! For us all.
Posted 5 months ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
 CHuLoYo wrote:

Don't worry, I agree with you completely. Her last album has delicious songs 
Until hearing this version, I am already enamored with the lovely Ms Welch but, didn't realize that a song can actually be "infused" with more soul than she already sings with! Oh, to see her live....Yum!😁


Posted 8 months ago by Signwrtr61    [ Reply ]
this is not my favorite Florence song, however I love everything she does as I feel like it all comes from the soul. There's always some guys in the comments talking down on her voice, but that's mostly just insecure boys who think women should always sound weak and dainty.
Posted 9 months ago by silasroy1    [ Reply ]
What a terrible song. And voice. 
Posted 10 months ago by joko63808    [ Reply ]
 Ghiaap wrote:

A voice like an ice pick stabbed through my eardrum.




HaHa - And the comments suggest that Flo is being melodramatic...
Posted 1 year ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
Her "Yeah, yeah, yeahs" at the end of the song elevated me and my score from a 7 to an 8.
Posted 1 year ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
You hate it, or you love it,
I hate it, but you may love it.
I love it that I can skip it,
So you may love it a little bit longer.
Posted 1 year ago by Blij    [ Reply ]
 erwinphoto wrote:

It starts OK, but then it gets hysterical, as so often with many female singers.



Thanks for the input Mr. Misogynist
Posted 1 year ago by TC1    [ Reply ]
Beautiful song!  I have to say I am very impressed that this is a live performance and every member of that audience was able to contain themselves and restrain whooping, hollering, and clapping until the very last note had finished sustaining.  I didn't think that was possible anymore.
Posted 1 year ago by E_Ray    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:


Hail Queen Flossy! Big sound, big heart, big songs. 9 from the besotted Nottingham jury 😍


Agreed............nice to see you around, Fred.
Posted 1 year ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
A lassy cut from the tradition Irish cloth ain't she?  And boy can she bellow when she taps into her inner Celtic priestess.   A sonic berserker.  

Highlow~
Posted 1 year ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
It starts OK, but then it gets hysterical, as so often with many female singers.
Posted 1 year ago by erwinphoto    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:

Clearly in a minority here but I think Florence is awesome in this performance.

I love her strong voice. 



Hail Queen Flossy! Big sound, big heart, big songs. 9 from the besotted Nottingham jury 😍
Posted 1 year ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I've never really got into Florence, but for some reason, this song really does it for me. 
Posted 2 years ago by libertinesupreme    [ Reply ]
 vluvlu wrote:

I usually like these guys.  Song was nice up to the end then I found myself thinking I'd like her to shut it.  Too much noise.....if I never hear this song again, it would be OK with me.



I know what you mean, but to give her credit, I think that this piece is really difficult to perform, and taking this challenge into account she's really doing a brilliant job. Tell me a singer that would handle this performance effortlessly... 
Posted 2 years ago by longliverp    [ Reply ]
This is otherwise a great performance but the recording is not technically too great. It doesn't help either that the vocals are out of tune at places. But they do display that they are capable of performing it excellently, this take and setup just wasn't perfect.
Posted 2 years ago by gentlegiantfinn    [ Reply ]
I've always wondered why she doesn't just keep the bath running. Sorted.
Posted 2 years ago by funkyalfonso    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:

Sorry folks, I skip, can't stand this singalong anymore.


Anymore than 2 years ago when you posted essentially the same thing?
Posted 2 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by bluotis    [ Reply ]
When these guys broke onto the popular music scene...I was like cool...interesting sound.  But the coolness has left the room.  I'll chock it up to habituation...
a decrease in an elicited behavior resulting from the repeated presentation of an eliciting stimulus (a simple form of learning).

The more she yells, the less I hear it...
Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
For me, it was insufficiently unplugged.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Sorry folks, I skip, can't stand this singalong anymore.
Posted 3 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
I wish she would enunciate, I like her songs but want to hear the words. 
Posted 3 years ago by cvandoren    [ Reply ]
 bseib wrote:

Well shucks.  2 -> 1


Reminds me of cats making in the dead of night. Or foxes. 
Posted 3 years ago by malamucha    [ Reply ]
Florence Leontine Mary Welch

Such pipes! Wow.
Posted 4 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
 hightail wrote:
This voice makes me cross. So weak and wobbly and....just........GAAAAAHRRRRR!!
 
I know right? Isn't she awesome? 
Posted 4 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
She doesn't get compared with Kate Bush anyways.....
Posted 5 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
This is an incredible song and performance. If you like her, see her live, that's where her talents shine brightest.
Yes, there is a passionate (and very small) commenting minority that loves to bash her. Yes, she's a bit polarizing. 
That's okay. Everybody gets to like what they like, and I like this, a lot.
A powerful woman succeeding on her own terms.
Posted 5 years ago by easmann    [ Reply ]
 bseib wrote:
they forgot to unplug one of the machines.
 
Well shucks.  2 -> 1
Posted 5 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
-1
Posted 5 years ago by pvcnote    [ Reply ]
Can't stand her voice and the singalong chorus, sorry.
Posted 5 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by Noni163    [ Reply ]
Yes, her voice is more controlled and melodic and she doesn't bellow like in the album version.


KalleB wrote:
So much better than the studio version.
 

Posted 6 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
So much better than the studio version.
Posted 6 years ago by KalleB    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

As a Deadhead and Jerry Garcia fan I suppose Florence does sound good to your ears.

Many RP listeners think Florence needs to "wind her neck in" as we say in Northern Ireland.
 
Not sure what being "a Deadhead and Jerry Garcia fan" has to do with anything, unless you were just being snide.

Given the rating, "Many" is clearly not "most".  No matter how shrill that "Many" may be.
Posted 6 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 newbolddrive wrote:
I think this woman has one of the best voices in music today.

 
As a Deadhead and Jerry Garcia fan I suppose Florence does sound good to your ears.

Many RP listeners think Florence needs to "wind her neck in" as we say in Northern Ireland.
Posted 6 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
 me too.

hightail wrote:

That's the word I was looking for. HORRID. Totally agree.

 


Posted 6 years ago by stevenangie    [ Reply ]
I think this woman has one of the best voices in music today.
Posted 6 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
 chyk5 wrote:
Two days in a row. Just as horrid the 2nd time around. 

 
That's the word I was looking for. HORRID. Totally agree.
Posted 7 years ago by hightail    [ Reply ]
The raw power to irritate.

Time to see what's on SOMA this morning.
Posted 7 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
This voice makes me cross. So weak and wobbly and....just........GAAAAAHRRRRR!!
Posted 7 years ago by hightail    [ Reply ]
 sheetsy wrote:
her voice really bothers me

 
Sometimes she's not bad but overall, for me, it's not so much that she sings as she bellows.

Highlow
American Net'Zen. 
Posted 7 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
 easmann wrote:

That sparked my curiosity so I looked it up and yes, Virginia Woolf (pockets full of stones...), and Frida Kahlo, and more:

Wikipedia: What the Water Gave Me (song), Background

Thanks.

 
Thank you!  : )
I love Flo
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 Neil66 wrote:
I just wish every song wasn't a bloody anthem...

 
Couldn't have been more precise myself.
Posted 7 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
 Otomi wrote:

Lo que el agua me dio

Frida Kahlo

Oil on canvas

1938

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:What_the_Water_Gave_Me_by_Frida_Kahlo.jpg



 
Interesting - thanks. Do you think that the song might be a tribute to Frida Kahlo, or inspired by the painting?


Posted 7 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I usually like these guys.  Song was nice up to the end then I found myself thinking I'd like her to shut it.  Too much noise.....if I never hear this song again, it would be OK with me.
Posted 7 years ago by vluvlu    [ Reply ]
 sheetsy wrote:
her voice really bothers me

 
10 - Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone
Posted 7 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Great song until the end.
Posted 7 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
Two days in a row. Just as horrid the 2nd time around. 
Posted 7 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
her voice really bothers me
Posted 7 years ago by sheetsy    [ Reply ]

Lo que el agua me dio

Frida Kahlo

Oil on canvas

1938

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:What_the_Water_Gave_Me_by_Frida_Kahlo.jpg


Posted 8 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
 CHuLoYo wrote:

Don't worry, I agree with you completely. Her last album has delicious songs 

 
I don't like a lot of Florence's songs, but this is one her best.
Posted 8 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:
Clearly in a minority here but I think Florence is awesome in this performance.

I love her strong voice. 

 
Don't worry, I agree with you completely. Her last album has delicious songs 
Posted 8 years ago by CHuLoYo    [ Reply ]
I think this is about Virginia Woolf.
Posted 8 years ago by Chi_Editrix    [ Reply ]
Utterly dreadful wailing woman.....Make it stop! 
Posted 8 years ago by scottygirl    [ Reply ]
Clearly in a minority here but I think Florence is awesome in this performance.

I love her strong voice. 
Posted 8 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Can't be dealing with the desperately bad vocals here.  Bit less volume and more effort put into accuracy, please.  Thanks Flo.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 garyalex wrote:
Sometimes volume is not a good replacement for substance.

 
agreed
Posted 9 years ago by kanga311    [ Reply ]
Overflow of what?  Maybe it's obvious but I don't get the "only sound".
Posted 9 years ago by walchenbach    [ Reply ]
Sometimes volume is not a good replacement for substance.
Posted 10 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]
Was super cool to watch this.  If you get a chance, check it out.  Unique performer, to say the very least.  They rock with a harp, an actually harp in the band.  Go figure. 
Posted 10 years ago by pomalley    [ Reply ]
TERRIBLE
Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
{#Eek} ........ this is not very good for my ears
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
I don't quite understand the lyrics yet - but with that voice who needs to!
Posted 10 years ago by RandomousJam    [ Reply ]
Baaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!
Posted 10 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
A really boring hit.
Posted 10 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
 GarageDragon wrote:
I grow weary of her overly dramatic belting.  It was refreshing at first, but it has become decidedly old. 
 
Don't know from dramatic or old, but she can certainly bellow, eh?  {#Cheesygrin}
Posted 10 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
BLEHARGH!!!! {#Foot-in-mouth} From 3 --> 1
Posted 11 years ago by Nenelena    [ Reply ]
Over done, ear numbing, boring, please no more.
Posted 11 years ago by Sturff    [ Reply ]
Stop Yelling!!!!!!
Posted 11 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Unplugged anything is absolute American B.S.

 
Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 
...bad version ... do not play it more, please!! {#Rolleyes}

Posted 11 years ago by Nenelena    [ Reply ]
wow - the attempt at singing is dismal at best. 
Posted 11 years ago by cafortier    [ Reply ]
A voice like an ice pick stabbed through my eardrum.
Posted 11 years ago by Ghiaap    [ Reply ]
Make it stop {#Frustrated}
Posted 11 years ago by OHMish    [ Reply ]
I quite like this. It has all the belt of the big machine but still feels quite live. Good show. Shame on her for getting popular. Bad Flo...bad machine...way too likable to be likable.
 
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
i wish they had unplugged her mic.
Posted 11 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
I grow weary of her overly dramatic belting.  It was refreshing at first, but it has become decidedly old. 
Posted 11 years ago by GarageDragon    [ Reply ]
 zoopmama wrote:
Which would be lovely if she would only do it on pitch consistently. Too often I've heard her forsake hitting the note for pushing out the power. 'Shake it Off' was a breath of fresh air but overall, I'm tiring of hearing Florence on RP.

hayduke2 wrote:
Flo's cool, she has a beautiful, powerful voice and like Grace Slick she lets that tiger loose when she fuckin feels like it!

 



 
Although I'm not a big fan of Florence, I will say I respect her a lot for not using autotune.
I would much rather hear a slightly flawed heartfelt presentation than a false performance that's akin to lip-syncing.
IMHO 
Posted 11 years ago by oldman    [ Reply ]
I prefer the un-unplugged version (the plugged version?) and I think it's damn fantastic. I think her music is thrilling. 
Posted 11 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
Which would be lovely if she would only do it on pitch consistently. Too often I've heard her forsake hitting the note for pushing out the power. 'Shake it Off' was a breath of fresh air but overall, I'm tiring of hearing Florence on RP.

hayduke2 wrote:
Flo's cool, she has a beautiful, powerful voice and like Grace Slick she lets that tiger loose when she fuckin feels like it!

 


Posted 11 years ago by zoopmama    [ Reply ]
Too much screaming for my taste: 3.
Posted 11 years ago by Orodrigues    [ Reply ]
Liked it until the warble at the end.  Yikes!
Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
Think I'll leave it "unplugged".
Posted 11 years ago by marty88210    [ Reply ]
She has ugly vibrato, but that's not the main reason why I don't like her music.  {#Rolleyes}
Posted 11 years ago by MikeszCZ    [ Reply ]
I quite like them but just wish every song wasn't a bloody anthem...
Posted 11 years ago by Neil66    [ Reply ]
Flo's cool, she has a beautiful, powerful voice and like Grace Slick she lets that tiger loose when she fuckin feels like it!
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]

EVERYBODY IN MY CHURCHES LOVES THIS SONG!!!!
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
If loving this song is wrong (as so many posters seem to believe) then i don't want to be right. 
Posted 11 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
Please make her go away
Posted 11 years ago by mjcunningham59    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:
I like her better when she was Tori Amos.

 
Tori Amos was much better.  She never tried to prove could sing by just getting louder and warbling endlessly. 
Posted 11 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
Ugh. As someone who spends a significant part of their lives in the ocean, this song has less than no appeal.
Posted 11 years ago by stargazer1    [ Reply ]
 daedalus wrote:
She certainly has lungs.
So does a rhinoceros - they're not known for their dulcet tone either ...
I do fondly hope that the nays carry the vote on this one. 
 
I'll add my nay to this one. Flo is just not my cup of tea.
Posted 11 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
I like her better when she was Tori Amos.
Posted 11 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
I like the plugged version better.  The Machine rocks as hard as Flo.
Posted 11 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
I'm not down with all of Florence's work, but this one I like. 9
Posted 11 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
they forgot to unplug one of the machines.
Posted 11 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
She certainly has lungs.
So does a rhinoceros - they're not known for their dulcet tone either ...
I do fondly hope that the nays carry the vote on this one. 
Posted 11 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]
I've always been okay with Flo. With this one, I see why some people are not. I gave it a 5 but I don't know why... I really don't want to hear it again.
Posted 11 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Lots of negative comments against Flo, which is a shame. 

I'll raise my voice in support for this unique talent and her fine pair of lungs. Go Flo! 
Posted 11 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Maybe crooning isn't as popular as it used to be.  I wouldn't mind hearing some old stuff, though.  
 
Interesting observation. Makes me want to hear some k.d. lang here now...
Posted 12 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
There are times when I find myself asking, 'what the hell is she doing?' But, for the most part, her music is pretty f'n good.
Posted 12 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
The aural equivalent of waterboarding.
Posted 12 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
The first part I find not that bad, but at the end she really ruins it, it seems like Florence does want to over rule all other band members or instruments, and the harp at the end,reminds me of minstrels and knights, not an instrument for popmusic imho
Posted 12 years ago by chris_the_man    [ Reply ]
Flo, I haven't had any coffee yet this morning.  I happy though to report that your warbling has given me the lift in my step necessary to mark this song down from a 5 to a 1.  Cheers.
Posted 12 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
Ever notice that there are many divas played here at RP, but no crooners? 
 
Maybe crooning isn't as popular as it used to be.  I wouldn't mind hearing some old stuff, though.  
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Ouch, so that's what damaged eardrums feel like...
2  
Posted 12 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
Second Florence tune I have heard in a couple days were she is not bellowing.  She real does have a nice rich voice.  If only she does not scream, which she likes to do given most of the other versions The Machine's catalog.
Posted 12 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
yep, still hate this. 0 —-> 0
Posted 12 years ago by clwguy    [ Reply ]
Awful. Terrible voice. Sonic torture.
Posted 12 years ago by rotekz    [ Reply ]
 hightail wrote:
With all the respect this is an awful song and she sounds dreadful. I have to turn the station when I hear this track. 
 
"With all the respect..." meaning the opposite :)
Posted 12 years ago by stevendejong    [ Reply ]
 hightail wrote:
With all the respect this is an awful song and she sounds dreadful. I have to turn the station when I hear this track. 
 

Exactly!
Posted 12 years ago by DearDM    [ Reply ]
With all the respect this is an awful song and she sounds dreadful. I have to turn the station when I hear this track. 
Posted 12 years ago by hightail    [ Reply ]
 leafmold wrote:
I'll take her voice over the baby doll voices any day.
 
Good god, YES! I'm so damn over wimpy baby doll girl voices. Irritating.
I'm not a big FATM fan, but I'm liking this unplugged session.
Posted 12 years ago by chelsiaann    [ Reply ]
 Sasha2001 wrote:
... I think Florence is an original and I give her and her Machine a lot of credit for that.
 
                {#Yes} {#Arrowu} {#Yes}
Posted 12 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Is this song about suicide, or some other expression of dying? Is it about vampires? What? I think Florence is an original and I give her and her Machine a lot of credit for that.
Posted 12 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
great voice—but all FATM songs sound the same!!!
Posted 12 years ago by Hogtownmike    [ Reply ]