Lyric discussion by HoliHallow 

Cover art for Drumming Song lyrics by Florence + the Machine

There�s a drumming noise inside my head That starts when you�re around

The Drumming noise to me, is her thoughts and feelings, collated into one mass, the drumming noise. It's basically desire, but more than just sexual, it's emotional as well. It's the sickening feeling you get when you see someone you utterly adore.

I ran to a tower where the church bells chime I hoped that they would clear my mind They left a ringing in my ear But that drum�s beating loud and clear

There are references to the church, and religion in this song. To me, that's about repressed emotions and urges, the side of love that's held back, and not allowed free. She goes to the church, to religion, trying to 'clear her mind', in an effort to get rid of the drumming sound, the church bells do leave an impression in her head, but the drumming noise is still there despite that.

Louder than sirens Louder than bells Sweeter than heaven And hotter than hell

This means her desire is far larger and louder than anything else she could ever hear, nothing could match it. 'Sweeter than Heaven, and hotter than hell', ties into religion again, this would be better than heaven, but possibly more sinful than hell?

I run to the river and dive straight in I pray that the water will drown out the din But as the water fills my mouth it couldn�t wash the echoes out

She either tries to cleanse herself in the river, or drown herself, whichever interpretation you prefer. But despite that, the echoes of the desire is still there, no matter what she does.

I swallow the sound and it swallows me whole Till there�s nothing left inside my soul As empty as that beating drum But the sound has just begun

Eventually she gives herself up to the noise, to the desire, till it's eroded everything else away, and she's just shell. The obsession had destroyed her life and herself, but it still continues. Despite everything.

That's my interpretation anyway, I like this song :)

My Interpretation

I completely agree with Holihallow. This song is incredible.

I think the lines "Sweeter than heaven, And hotter than hell" are a reference to the horrific nature and places that love can take us, but, so-to-say, also one of sweetest emotions in life. That it is, at it's best, a difficult burden to carry.

"The obsession had destroyed her life and herself, but it still continues. Despite everything."

it's so.. desperate. so true. she's crushed, she's given up, but it won't go away.