Lyric discussion by Human-beef 

Cover art for Cosmic Love lyrics by Florence + the Machine

Honestly I don't think this song is so much about being in love as it is about being in love unhappily. I heard this the first time on the radio, and the radiowoman said that the singer wrote this song while she was living with her boyfriend. To me, it's more about staying with someone even though you don't really want to, but you can't leave him/her for any number of reasons.

"I took the stars from our eyes, and then I made a map And knew that somehow I could find my way back Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too So I stayed in the darkness with you"

Maybe it means that she stayed with him, but had a backup plan if some day she couldn't take it no more. :) Just my interpretation. Definetely think there's some sort of dark/corrupting vibe to the song. Absolutely beautiful! One of the most touching songs I've ever heard.

I agree with this comment more than the others, the line "so I stayed in the darkness with you", is about remaining in a relationship where she feels unloved because she cannot bear to leave, she would rather stay with this person unhappily and remain "in the shadow of your heart".

Not Valid

@Human-beef I love your interpretation of the song. The only difference is that I feel (in the verses you outlined) that she had a way out but realized that her lover was also suffering in the darkness. Instead of leaving she decided to stay and share the burden/pain.

I think she is in love despite the difficulties in the relationship.

@Human-beef This is the plot of an entire Mountain Goats album btw