A selection of songs that once inspired Florence Welch

Posted On January 12, 2025January 12, 2025

Florence Welch is a powerhouse to be reckoned with in the pop music scene. Having broken into the mainstream some 17 years ago as frontwoman of Florence of the Machine, the band remains the cream of the crop not only in terms of how their music has maintained longevity but also how it still manages to attract legions of new fans into the magical mystery tour of their universe.

But for Welch herself, there’s an intricate creative process behind the ethereality of her persona and songwriting. The 36-year-old Londoner found solace and escapism in music as a child; in turn, her own work often reflects a release into the other-worldly and spiritual, even if the subject matters themselves can be deeply dark and personal. This unique artistic blend is precisely what sets Welch apart in a frequently crowded and oversaturated market, but nonetheless, over the course of her career, she has openly discussed her sonic influences in terms of both the songs and people who have shaped the star she has become.

Back in 2012, she did just this. Speaking to BBC Radio 6 Music, Welch explored a selection of her favourite songs. She began by citing a variety of soul legends – Otis Redding, Lorraine Ellison, and Sam Cooke – as being seminal voices that shaped her as she grew up. ‘Try A Little Tenderness’, ‘Stay With Me’, and ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ are powerhouse tracks bound to stir any heart, even the most passive of teenagers, and a young Welch was no different. Particularly in the latter, the callback to poignant defining moments in Cooke’s life resonates in sentiment with Welch’s lyrical ruminations, such as in the song ‘Hunger’ which explored the effects of her eating disorder.

Moving further, she went on to explain that ‘Hoist That Rag’ by Tom Waits was also among her favourites. This comes as no surprise given that Welch has variously claimed Waits is one of her top influences in general – even saying she “wished [she] was him” – and his impact on her music is palpable. The gravel-toned American singer often reflects themes of love and nature within his discography, something which Welch has also encompassed both sonically and lyrically.

However, an even more insightful glimpse into Welch’s top songs came in some markedly more continental choices, including ‘Yaylalar’ by Turkish folk and protest singer Selda Bağcan and ‘Beirut’ by Gulag Orkestar. The permeating impact of world music becomes apparent here; Welch opens horizons not only in her song picks but also demonstrates the ethos she carries.

That may be true, but it’s also clear that she loves the well-kent names just as much as the rest of us. There’s firstly Jamie xx and ‘New York is Killing Me’ – they’re an obvious sonic pairing, with both Welch and the xx major driving forces behind the resurgence of indie pop in the late 2000s and early 2010s. However, some less obvious choices are Beyonce’s ‘Crazy in Love’ and Azalia Banks’ ‘212’. Both are bangers, to be fair, but they are complete opposites to Welch’s stereotypical sound. We all have a soft spot for a club classic, though, don’t we?

Finally, she ended up on some rock gods that befitted an icon. There’s no bigger finish than ‘Gimme Shelter’ by The Rolling Stones, blazing through with its lyrical, brutal realities and in-your-face thrashing guitar – that is, unless you get to ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac, with which Welch concluded her selection. Stevie Nicks is a suitably spiritual sister, so it’s the perfect choice to sum up an artist whose influences are so massive and mighty.

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