Meaning of "Bedroom Hymns" by Florence + The Machine

"Bedroom Hymns" delves into the depths of a passionate and all-consuming physical relationship. The lyrics juxtapose religious imagery with themes of desire and submission, creating a sense of worship and reverence for the partner. The line "Make me your Maria, I'm already on my knees" suggests a desire for complete surrender to the other person, akin to a religious devotion. The mention of Jesus in the lyrics portrays a sense of sacrilege, as if the act itself is both forbidden and divine.

The line "Spilling over the idol, the black and the blue" further emphasizes the intense and potentially destructive nature of the relationship. The use of the word "idol" implies that the partner has become an object of worship, worshipped to the point of spilling over, like overflowing emotions. The mention of the colors black and blue could symbolize both pleasure and pain, suggesting that the intensity of the relationship encompasses both extremes.

The repetition of the phrase "This is his body, this is his love" hints at a sense of guilt and shame associated with the physical act, as if the speaker is aware that their desires may be perceived as sinful. The feeling of guilt is juxtaposed with the insatiable need for more, expressed through the line "Such selfish prayers, and I can't get enough." This juxtaposition suggests a conflicting internal struggle between yearning for absolution and giving in to temptation.

In the final repetition of the phrase "I'm not here looking for absolution, because I've found myself an old solution," the speaker seems to have found comfort in this intense relationship, dismissing the need for forgiveness. It implies that the relationship itself is a form of solace or escape from the complexities of life, and the speaker has chosen to embrace it fully, regardless of societal expectations.

Overall, "Bedroom Hymns" portrays the consuming and intense nature of a physical and emotional relationship, using religious imagery to evoke a sense of worship and devotion. It explores the paradoxical feelings of guilt and desire while delving into the complexities of human connection.