Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
By Maria Bregman, writer, litarary and music critic
The nexus between literature and music has long served as fertile ground for some of the most evocative compositions in modern music. Few contemporary artists embody this synthesis as compellingly as Florence Welch, lead vocalist of Florence + The Machine. Known for her sweeping vocal performances and poetic lyricism, Welch has carved a unique niche in the music industry, her work often echoing the grandeur of the Romantic literary canon. Like Kate Bush before her, Welch has embraced literature not merely as inspiration but as a foundational element of her artistic identity. Among her most iconic works, What the Water Gave Me stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and its ability to transcend mediums.
A Literary Awakening
Florence Welch’s fascination with literature was nurtured long before her ascent to fame. Growing up in South London, she was immersed in a world of books, thanks to her mother, Evelyn Welch, a Professor of Renaissance Studies. “I think I always lived in my imagination,” Welch once remarked in an interview, crediting her childhood exposure to classical texts for fostering her love of storytelling. Gothic novels, Romantic poetry, and even Shakespeare’s darker works became staples of her creative palette. This literary grounding later became the cornerstone of her songwriting, allowing her to weave narratives that feel simultaneously intimate and grandiose.
One of the most striking examples of Welch’s literary influences can be found in What the Water Gave Me, a haunting track from Florence + The Machine’s 2011 album, Ceremonials. The song draws its title from a painting by Frida Kahlo but unfolds as a mosaic of literary and artistic references. It melds the mythology of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse with allusions to sacrifice and spiritual transcendence, creating a multi-layered narrative steeped in symbolism.
Crafting an Unconventional Soundscape
Much like Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights, which captured the spectral torment of Emily Brontë’s heroine, What the Water Gave Me translates a literary theme into an otherworldly soundscape. The track opens with a foreboding guitar riff, soon joined by Welch’s ethereal voice, as she intones: “Lay me down, let the only sound be the overflow.” The melody, with its swelling crescendos and choral harmonies, mirrors the ebb and flow of water – a motif central to the song’s narrative.
The thematic depth of the track was further enhanced by Welch’s insistence on authenticity in its production. Recorded in Abbey Road Studios, the song utilised layered vocal techniques to evoke an almost hymnal quality. Welch’s voice, alternating between soaring highs and haunting whispers, mirrors the duality of water as both a giver and taker of life.
Much like Bush, Welch was unafraid to deviate from mainstream conventions. Her refusal to dilute the song’s poetic complexity for commercial appeal was a bold move, underscoring her commitment to artistry over market trends. The result was a track that resonated deeply with listeners, earning critical acclaim for its lyrical and musical ambition.
Echoes of Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf, one of Welch’s literary idols, looms large over the track. Woolf’s tragic death by drowning is evoked not as an act of despair but as a moment of profound communion with the natural world. The lyric “’Cause they took your loved ones, but returned them in exchange for you” encapsulates this duality of loss and transcendence. Through this lens, Welch reimagines Woolf’s demise not as a surrender but as a final, almost spiritual act of unity with nature.
The song also resonates with the larger themes in Woolf’s works, particularly her exploration of memory, identity, and the passage of time. Like Woolf’s writing, What the Water Gave Me invites listeners to reflect on the cyclical nature of existence and the interconnectedness of life and art.
A Visual Symphony
The accompanying music video for What the Water Gave Me further cemented Welch’s reputation as a multidisciplinary artist. Shot in muted tones, the video features intimate studio footage interspersed with abstract, water-themed imagery. Welch, dressed in flowing, ethereal garments, appears as a spectral figure, her movements echoing the interpretive dance styles popularised by artists like Lindsay Kemp, who famously mentored David Bowie and inspired generations of performers.
This visual approach aligns with Welch’s overarching artistic ethos: a commitment to creating immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Like Bush’s choreography in the videos for Wuthering Heights, Welch’s movements in What the Water Gave Me are not merely an accompaniment but an extension of the song’s emotional landscape.
Critical and Cultural Impact
Upon its release, What the Water Gave Me was hailed as a masterpiece of modern baroque pop, earning accolades for its lyrical depth and innovative production. Critics praised Welch’s ability to seamlessly fuse literary allusions with contemporary musical elements, likening her to a 21st-century troubadour. The track’s success also solidified Welch’s position as one of the most original voices in the music industry, capable of crafting songs that feel both timeless and avant-garde.
In many ways, Welch’s artistic journey mirrors that of Kate Bush, whose own debut single was initially deemed too unconventional for mainstream success. Both artists have demonstrated that there is a robust audience for music that challenges conventional norms, offering listeners not just entertainment but a form of intellectual and emotional engagement.
A Timeless Interplay Between Music and Literature
The enduring appeal of tracks like What the Water Gave Me and Wuthering Heights lies in their ability to transcend their immediate cultural contexts. They remind us that music and literature, though distinct forms of expression, share a common purpose: to articulate the ineffable, to give shape to the emotions and ideas that define the human experience.
By drawing on the works of literary giants like Woolf and Brontë, both Welch and Bush have expanded the boundaries of what popular music can achieve. Their songs are not merely compositions but dialogues with the past, invitations to revisit familiar stories through fresh, innovative lenses. In doing so, they have redefined what it means to be a musician in the modern era – not just a performer but a storyteller, a curator of cultural memory.
Welch’s What the Water Gave Me stands as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of art, proving that the interplay between literature and music is not only timeless but also endlessly rich with possibilities. Whether inspired by the windswept moors of Yorkshire or the depths of a river in Sussex, such works continue to resonate, offering solace, inspiration, and a sense of connection across generations.
