Florence and the Machine: 'Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)'

Released on Monday, Jun 22 2009

Published Wednesday, Jun 17 2009, 14:53 BST | By Alex Fletcher | 9 comments

Florence and the Machine: 'Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)'

"The looking glass so shiny and new," sings Florence Welch on 'Rabbit Heart', before quickly adding: "How quickly the glamour fades." While it may not be a direct reference to the perils of modern fame, the 22-year-old Londoner can't have been oblivious to such connotations. Though currently riding a wave of critical acclaim thanks to her Brits victory earlier this year, she seems well aware that praise and press interest can disappear as quickly as it arrives.

However, Florence need not worry about waning support while she continues to release tracks as powerful as this. Following on from the punchy 'Kiss With A Fist' and hollering stop/start rhythms of 'Dog Days Are Over', this is probably her quirkiest release to date. Harps, hushed backing vocals and flutes combine with twisted fairytale lyrical allusions to King Midas and Alice In Wonderland, before a crunching chorus provides a near-cathartic release. The reference points may be obvious (Tori Amos, Kate Bush), and the hype may be huge, but F&TM are forging their own success story here.

> Click here to watch the 'Rabbit Heart' video

More: Florence And The Machine, Music

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Tom, Liverpool, on January 1st, 2010
Absolutely brilliant song. My favourite song of the decade. Just fantastic, the chorus belts through me every time its played and the sounds of the harp and drums come in at exactly the right places. Love it love it love it cant believe it only reached number 12, definite top 10 song there.

Sam, Tower Hamlets, on July 15th, 2009
Just, outstanding. Single of the year for me.

Ben Sullivan, on July 8th, 2009
"I'm sure it's around here somewhere, I know it!. Argh! But where?" The sound of me searching for the great song in the middle of an over complicated, disorganised mess, this song has alot of potential but they just tried to overreach. It could have been great but has turned out only ok.

chaz, on July 6th, 2009
can't quite make out half the stuff she's singing but this is goddamn f**king catchy & great vocals!! i digg this :) florence <3

AJ - Manchester, on June 27th, 2009
Absolutely breathtaking and masterfully artistic. They definately deserve a place at number 1.

Adam,Ireland, on June 23rd, 2009
This song is ok.. I would have preferred Cosmic Love to have been released though. It is enormous here in Ireland at the moment.

James, Nottingham, on June 21st, 2009
Love this song, cant wait for the album ... probably the most underrated artist I know - Love her

JK, Bangkok, on June 18th, 2009
I hope Florence & The Machine reaches number 1!!!!! She deserves it. Plus it'll be a slap in the face to the BBC Sound poll that put her third and after Little Boots (who wasn't able to crack the top 10).

SAM________________________UK, on June 17th, 2009
Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) is currently my favourite song, it has so catchy lyrics and the lines "This is a gift, it comes with a price. Who is the lamb and who is the knife. Midas is king and he holds me so tight. And turns me to gold in the sunlight". The song is great and should go top 5.