Florence Welch, best known as the lead vocalist of the indie rock band Florence + the Machine, has captivated audiences with her powerful voice and captivating performances. However, her connection to magic is not as widely known. Welch has often described herself as being drawn to the esoteric and has incorporated themes of spirituality and magic into her music and persona. Welch's fascination with magic can be traced back to her childhood. Growing up in London, she was exposed to the enchanting world of myths and fairy tales, which deeply influenced her imagination. As she delved deeper into her musical career, her interest in magic only grew stronger, and it became a prominent theme in her music and lyrics.
“Maybe I’ve always been more comfortable in chaos.”
― Florence Welch, Useless Magic: Lyrics and Poetry
Florence Welch could definitely be an amazing poet someday, though she has incredible writing ability, she just needs to hone it a bit when she s writing her poetry. I wish it had included all the lyrics to her own songs, more poetry, or at least more content like lyrics annotations, but despite being a very quick read, it still manages to provide an honest glimpse inside the mind of a passionate artist.
As she delved deeper into her musical career, her interest in magic only grew stronger, and it became a prominent theme in her music and lyrics. One of the ways Welch has explored her interest in magic is through the use of symbolism in her songs. Her lyrics often reference mythical creatures, such as angels, witches, and ghosts, creating a sense of otherworldliness and mystery.
Book Review: “Useless Magic” by Florence Welch
Useless Magic: Lyrics and Poetry, a book published in July 2018, combines two of my favorite things: poetry and Florence Welch, better known as Florence + the Machine. My angsty middle school self instantly fell in love with Florence’s fascinating, eerie aesthetic. As a testament to her musical prowess, in the years since I have been able to return to her music over and over again without finding it cringey or over-the-top like I did with a lot of the media I consumed as a middle schooler. Individual songs—my favorites are “Cosmic Love,” “No Light, No Light,” and “Kiss With a Fist”—are all memorable and unique, but it’s also fun to put her entire discography on shuffle, close your eyes, and let yourself be consumed in images of galaxies and forests and whatever other kinds of magic Florence Welch sings about.
Fair warning, Useless Magic is 70-80% song lyrics, which you could easily look up online yourself. However, I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting, highlighting the lyrics most memorable to me and trying to sing them to myself, because just reading all the lyrics, all at once in one long unbroken stream was such an incredible experience, like entering Welch’s own fantastical universe that she’s weaved, for herself and for you.
A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes
I screamed aloud, as it tore through them, and now it’s left me blind
The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I’m always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart
-Lyrics from “Cosmic Love”
Her various doodles, though occasionally hard to decipher, are a wonderful addition to the book and make it feel unique; and not just all of her lyrics were copy-and-pasted into a document that she decided to call a book. She also includes several works of art, my favorite being Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. I’d never thought of pairing Klimt with Florence’s lyrics, but when I was reading the book, it made sense, because they both have that ethereal, dreamlike style.
Many of Florence’s doodles are where her songs began to form as simple little scribbles of potential lyrics or titles on wrinkled sheets of paper. One that particularly touched me was this piece of paper accompanying the lyrics to her song “Grace,” which is Florence’s apology to her younger sister, Grace, for not being a better older sister as they were growing up, and in particular for ruining more than one of Grace’s birthdays.
In the preface of Useless Magic, Florence admits, “I don’t know what makes a song a song and a poem a poem: they have started to bleed into each other at this stage.” And while I’d happily call her songs poems any day, Useless Magic does actually include a few original poems by Florence. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy them as much. They lack the vivid, unique imagery of her songs and read more like half-formulated sentiments than poems. Florence Welch could definitely be an amazing poet someday, though—she has incredible writing ability, she just needs to hone it a bit when she’s writing her poetry.
Also, if you pick up the book, check out the index of first lines at the end. They’re poems in themselves.
I’m excited for Florence to continue working on her career, and hopefully this won’t be the last poetry collection she releases—I’ll definitely listen to and/or read anything she puts out in the future, and I can’t wait to do a reread of this book as I play each and every song, one by one.
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A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes
She uses these symbols to convey deeper emotions and explore themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Moreover, Welch's stage presence and performances further highlight her connection to magic. She often incorporates elaborate costumes and theatrical elements into her shows, creating a visually striking experience for her audience. Her ethereal and mesmerizing performances transport listeners to a different realm, where magic and music intertwine. It is evident that Welch's interest in magic goes beyond mere aesthetics. In interviews, she has spoken about her belief in the power of ritual and the importance of connecting with something greater than oneself. She also draws inspiration from tarot cards, astrology, and other mystical practices, which she incorporates into her creative process. While some may dismiss Welch's connection to magic as mere theatrics, it is clear that it holds a significant meaning for her. The use of magical elements in her music allows her to express herself authentically and explore deeper truths. Through her lyrics and performances, she invites her listeners to embark on a journey of self-discovery and embrace the magical aspects of life. In conclusion, Florence Welch's connection to magic is an integral part of her artistic identity. Her use of symbolism, theatrical performances, and beliefs in mystical practices all contribute to the enchanting allure of her music. By embracing magic, Welch creates a unique and captivating experience for her audience, leaving them spellbound and eager for more..
Reviews for "The Fairy Tale World of Useless Magic: Florence Welch's Lyrics as Modern Mythology"
1. John Smith - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Useless Magic" by Florence Welch. I expected a lot more from this book, considering Welch's talent as a musician and songwriter. However, the content felt scattered and disorganized. The poetry and lyrics were often vague and pretentious, making it difficult to connect with the emotion or message behind them. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster collection that didn't live up to the hype.
2. Emily Johnson - 3/5 - As a fan of Florence Welch's music, I was excited to dive into "Useless Magic". Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While the artwork and visuals within the book were beautiful, the actual content felt shallow and uninspired. The lyrics and poetry lacked depth, and it often felt like Welch was trying too hard to be profound. It lacked the raw emotion and vulnerability that drew me to her music in the first place. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to showcase Welch's talent in a new format.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2/5 - I found "Useless Magic" by Florence Welch to be a rather underwhelming collection. The poetry and lyrics lacked cohesiveness and often felt disconnected. I struggled to find the deeper meaning behind many of the words, and it left me feeling frustrated. Additionally, the design of the book was confusing and made it difficult to follow the flow of the content. Overall, it was a disappointing read that left me questioning the point of it all.