shake it out

Florence + The Machine · 2011

Listen carefully and fill in the missing words.

    

Verse 1
Regrets (1) like old friends
Here to relive your darkest (2)
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play
And every (3) wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn

Verse 2
And I've been a (4) and I've been (5) (I've been blind)
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always (6) that horse around
All of his questions, such a (7) sound
Tonight I'm gonna (8) that horse in the ground
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
But it's always darkest before the dawn

Chorus
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
Shake it out, shake it out
Shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to (9) with a (10) on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa

Verse 3
And I am done with my (11) heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then (12)
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn

[Chorus]

Bridge
And it's hard to dance with the devil on your back (shake him off)
And given half the chance would I take any of it back? (shake him off)
It's a fine romance, but it's left me so undone (shake him off)
It's always darkest before the dawn (shake him off)
(Oh whoa, oh whoa)

Verse 4
And I'm (13) if I do and I'm damned if I don't
So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road
And I'm ready to (14) and I'm ready to hope
It's a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat
'Cause looking for (15), found the devil in me (oh whoa)
Looking for heaven, for the devil in me (oh whoa)
But what the hell, I'm gonna let it happen to me, yeah

[Final Chorus × 2]
  

Shake It Out

Florence + The Machine · 2011

ClassPlan.ai

Song Worksheets

Add the Adjective

Add a suitable adjective to describe each noun from the song. Choose adjectives that fit the song's mood and meaning.

1. regrets →

2. moments →

3. heart →

4. horse →

5. sound →

6. romance →

Finish the Lyric

Complete these unfinished lines from the song in your own creative way. Try to match the song's style and emotional tone.

1. Regrets collect like old friends, here to relive your...

2. And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back, so shake him...

3. I'm always dragging that horse around, all of his questions such a...

4. Looking for heaven, found the devil in me, but what the hell I'm gonna...

5. It's always darkest before the dawn, so tonight I'm gonna shake it...

Did you know?

Read these facts about the song. Which one surprises you most?

🎵Florence Welch wrote this song about overcoming self-destructive patterns and negative thoughts that hold you back.
⭐The phrase 'dead horse' refers to beating a dead horse - continuing to discuss something that's already settled or finished.
🎸The song reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and became one of Florence + The Machine's biggest hits.
📀Florence has said the song represents a turning point where she decided to stop dwelling on past mistakes and regrets.
🎤The music video features Florence in a dramatic ballroom setting, symbolically shaking off her demons through dance.

Discussion & analysis

Discuss each question with your partner.

1What does 'shaking it out' mean to you personally? How do you deal with negative thoughts?
2Why do you think Florence uses the metaphor of 'a devil on your back'?

3Have you ever felt stuck in the past like the singer describes? How did you move forward?
4Is it always possible to 'shake out' our problems, or are some things permanent parts of who we are?

🎨 Play It! — Draw It!

Student comes to the board and draws — no letters, words, or numbers. They must draw the song title or artist name. Class guesses. Set a 60-second timer for each turn.