An old soul trapped in the body of an indefatigable frontwoman with boundless energy, Florence Welch (born on August 28, 1986), of Florence + The Machine, has made a career out of defying trends, sneering at convention, and always setting the dial to 11. Since forming in 2007 and delivering her band’s landmark debut album, Lungs, just two years later, the torch-haired singer immediately drew comparisons to other UK pop eccentrics like Kate Bush and Annie Lennox, and is on her way to amassing an equally impressive discography. Narrowing down the best Florence + The Machine songs proved to be a challenging task, with four studio albums, remixes, soundtrack work, and countless covers to choose from – but we’ve attempted to do just that.
20: Jenny Of Oldstones
If anyone could carry the spirit of a medieval folk ballad, Welch’s otherworldly soprano is second to none. Continuing their tradition of hing contemporary acts provide cover songs for their end credits, Game Of Thrones showrunners recruited Florence to tackle the haunting ballad “Jenny Of Oldstones” that the character Podrick Payne (played by Daniel Portman) sings in episode two of the final season of the show. As Welch explained in an interview, the creators kept a tight wrap on what visuals the song would accompany. “They just had a simple, stripped-back, lilting melody,” said Welch. “The notes of it sounded like a Celtic folk song to me. I love the idea of dancing with ghosts and never wanting to lee. I feel like I do that every night on stage.”
Florence + the Machine - Jenny of Oldstones (Lyric Video) | Season 8 | Game of Thrones (HBO) Click to load video 19: Spectrum (Say My Name) (Calvin Harris Remix)This bombastic Ceremonials track was a prime candidate for a remix project. Florence recruited the newly famous Calvin Harris in 2012 to rework “Spectrum,” along with a host of other UK dance artists and producers for an EP. Welch chose Harris for his “blend of euphoric and melancholic” styles that match her own. Adding a four-to-the-floor beat and classic house-style piano breaks, the track quickly topped the charts, earning Welch her first No.1 single in the UK and becoming one of the best Florence + The Machine songs.
Alex Chilton: The Original Big Star Of Indie MusicBest Cover Songs: 61 Definitive Cover Versions You Need To HearThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones’s ‘Let’s Face’ It Gets Remastered Vinyl Reissue ADVERTISEMENT Florence + The Machine - Spectrum (Say My Name) (Calvin Harris remix) Click to load video 18: Drumming SongThe entirety of the band’s 2009 debut album, Lungs, is punctuated by various forms of percussion, no more so than the straightforwardly-titled, “Drumming Song.” At times, it sounds like a rehearsal for Stomp, as every surface provides an opportunity for sound. Inspired by hip-hop’s aggressive energy, Welch perfectly captures the electric feeling of attraction and, in this case, running far away from it.
Florence + The Machine - Drumming Song Click to load video 17: ModerationWritten during the same period as High As Hope, this bluesy soul number didn’t fit the kind of slow burn, introspective nature of the album, so Welch sed it for her live sets before dropping the studio version after the album release. Working with longtime producer James Ford, the scorching piano-driven single sees Welch once again staring down a reluctant lover, just as she did on ‘What Kind Of Man’. It’s the kind of witchy tune that would he been right at home on her previous album, Ceremonials.
Florence + The Machine - Moderation (Audio) Click to load video 16: Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)The last in a trilogy of star-making singles that introduced Florence Welch to the world, “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)” was the first to feature a mass choir of Florences, with layers of vocal overdubs that resemble a gospel call and response. In true Florence fashion, she reinterprets the story of King Midas and his golden touch as a parable for young artists who sacrifice too much for fame. “How quickly the glamor fades/Was that the wrong pill to take (raise it up)/You made a deal and now it seems you he to offer up.” The song was a radio smash that just so happened to feature harps, flutes, and choirs, and established her as the soulful eccentric we know and love.
Florence + The Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up) Click to load video 15: Never Let Me GoThe sheer breadth of sound in the best Florence + The Machine songs means the band has something to suit any mood. If you’re looking to commune with higher powers, this hymn will take you there. Co-written by Welch and producer Paul Epworth, “Never Let Me Go” alternates between delicate piano and euphoric gospel, as Welch turns in one of her most impressive vocal performances yet.
Florence + The Machine - Never Let Me Go Click to load video 14: Only If For A NightChurch bells ring out, followed by clamoring drums and a bellowing choir… Welch pulls out all the stops on Ceremonials’ opener. This time around, the supernatural tale is based on personal experience, as Welch sings about being visited by her late grandmother in a dream. After hearing the cathedral bells on an instrumental demo sent by longtime producer Paul Epworth, Welch was suddenly transported back to her grandmother’s house and her funeral.
Only If For A Night Click to load video 13: Sky Full Of SongLike many artists, Welch was of the belief that her art was fueled by hedonism, but High As Hope was proof that her creative spark was always there. Consumed by the adrenaline of touring and performing, Welch yearns to be tethered back to earth. You can hear the world-weariness in her voice. Most singers carefully plan out their breathwork, as if to hide the seams of the songs, but on this raw performance, Welch lets you hear every breath.
Florence + The Machine - Sky Full Of Song Click to load video 12. What Kind Of ManIt had been a while since we’d last heard Welch fully rock out, and “What Kind Of Man” was a swift reminder of her rock’n’roll beginnings, picking up where “Kiss With A Fist” left off. Welch goes all in on the kind of changeable lovers who try your patience with this blazing rock anthem, contributing to the canon of spurned-woman songs, but with a poetic flair that turns a break-up anthem into one of the best Florence + The Machine songs.
Florence + The Machine - What Kind Of Man (Live From Austin City Limits) Click to load video 11: You’ve Got The LoveWith a dynamic vocal range like Florence’s, there is no shortage of excellent covers to choose from, but her cover of Candi Staton’s 1986 LGBTQ anthem turned 90s re staple “You’ve Got The Love” remains a fan forite. The Lungs closer swaps out the synths for strings and harps, and embraces Staton’s soulful delivery to create another towering stadium anthem.
Florence + The Machine - You've Got the Love