It's no secret that Florence Welch (of "And The Machine" fame) gives off some serious witch vibes, what with her entrancing hand movements, Stevie Nicks-esque twirling and ethereal dress. The tendency towards flower crowns, barefoot dancing, and all things mystical and bohemian (plus those fiery red locks) certainly add to her enchanting and captivating allure. I've compiled a list of her 10 most spellbindingly magical lyrics, and they are, in no particular order:
1. Breath of Life
"And I needed one more touch, another taste of divine rush, and I believe, I believe it's so oh, oh, oh. Whose side am I on? Whose side am I? Whose side am I on? Whose side am I?" This battle cry-reminiscent anthem was written for the "Snowhite and The Hunstman" film, and perfectly accompanies the Queen's unquenchable and passionate desire for both power, and a 'breath of life'. (Also, we need to appreciate Welch as Joan of Arc in this photo.)2. What The Water Gave Me
"‘Cause she’s a cruel mistress, and a 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 overflow, pockets full of stones."3. Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
"And in the spring I shed my skin and it blows away with the changing winds. The waters turn from blue to red, as towards the sky I offer it. This is a gift, it comes with a price--who is the lamb, and who is the knife? Midas is king and he holds me so tight, and turns me to gold in the sunlight." You should probably also revisit this video to experience again how exquisitely stunning it is. It's major Alice-in-Wonderland-meets-The-Crucible vibes.
4. Third Eye
"Cause there's a hole where your heart lies, and I see can it with my third eye. And though my touch, it magnifies, you pull away- you don't know why."
5. Heartlines
"And I’ve seen it in the flights of birds, I’ve seen it in you, the entrails of the animals, the blood running through...just keep following the heartlines on your hand! Still I follow heartlines on your hand. And there’s fantasy, there’s fallacy, there’s tumbling stone,echoes of a city that’s long overgrown. Your heart is the only place that I call home, I cannot be returned."
6. Seven Devils
"Holy water cannot help you now. Thousand armies couldn't keep me out. I don't want your money. I don't want your crown. See, I've come to burn your kingdom down." Basically this entire song, actually...
7. Blinding
"Felt it in my fist, in my feet, in the hollows of my eyelids, shaking through my skull, through my spine and down through my ribs...and I could hear the thunder and see the lightning crack. All around the world was waking, I never could go back. 'Cause all the walls of dreaming, they were torn wide open, and finally it seemed that the spell was broken." Even the music in this one sounds like some enchantment is being cast.
8. Cosmic Love
I took the stars from my 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." Just something about the sound of harps that sounds like glitter and wind and floating petals and flowing dresses, ya know?9. Lover to Lover
There's no salvation for me now, no space among the clouds. And I feel I'm heading down, but that's alright. That's alright!" I've always gotten a badass, vengeful, serial heart-breaker feel from this underrated hymn.10. Spectrum
"When we first came here, we were cold and we were clear, with no colors in our skin, 'till we let the spectrum in...say my name as every color illuminates. We are shining, and we will never be afraid again...And when we come for you, we'll be dressed up all in blue, with the ocean in our arms. Kiss your eyes and kiss your palms." Again, this entire song high-key sounds like an invigorating incantation.
The final verdict: Florence Welch can cast a spell on me any day. (Although, let's be real: with the amount of times I've had "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" on repeat since its release, she kind of already has, and I am 100 percent okay and accepting of that.) What songs would you add to the list?