Florence + the Machine Say 'Breath of Life' is About Beauty and Death

Florence + the Machine Say ‘Breath of Life’ is About Beauty and Death

2012-04-03

Story by Cat Badra

Florence Welch says new song was inspired by ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ character

Calling all Florence + the Machine fans: New music is almost here. The popular Welsh band have taped a new song called “Breath of Life,” which will be offered on the soundtrack for the new film, “Snow White and the Huntsman,” in theaters June 1. Speaking with MTV, singer Florence Welch explained that her creative inspiration for penning the track came from peeking at a few scenes of actress Charlize Theron depicting the evil Queen Ravenna in “Snow White.”

“The Queen is just this incredible character; so hungry for life but so dead inside,” Welch said. “She’s sort of eternal, but inside there’s nothing. [There are] these amazing scenes where she’s kind of picking out birds’ hearts and eating them.

“[She has] this thirst for youth and for life, but for what kind of life? This darkness, but she’s so beautiful, so it’s this kind of juxtaposition between beauty and, ultimately, death.”

Welch added that the recording process for “Breath of Life” was an intense, one-of-a-kind experience. “We went in and demoed the track, these big, clattering drums, huge bass sounds and everything was very intense… and then we sent that to the guys in LA who composed it,” Welch said. “And it was amazing to see the music we played being turned into this amazing orchestral thing. I love choirs and I love choral music, and there was a 60-piece choir singing the vocal parts that I had written. When the baritones came in, I nearly wept, it was so emotional.”

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.