Dance Fever Analysis- "Free"

What I got from the line “I’m on fire but I’m trying not to show it” is that it could refer to a panic attack. I’ve had severe panic attacks and sometimes it really feels like your skin is hot, prickly, on fire. You can’t really control it once that starts happening and you’re just trying not to show it and wait for it to pass 😭

Eden McFadden

Wow! Thank you for sharing this! I hadn't thought about it in the context of the pandemic! That must have been so frightening to think that the one thing that helps her could be taken away for good.

English Teacher KP

I will henceforth be referring to myself as an "anxious little flower". Love that. I also agree that artists are able to somehow make beautiful things out of the everyday feelings of anxiety and suffering. We are so lucky to have them.

English Teacher KP

OMG! I hope you're having an amazing time in NYC! Enjoy the show!

English Teacher KP

Love the reaction video. I feel like this song builds on the ideas and themes presented in King while also providing such great catharsis and ultimately some positivity coming out from the last song. I also feel like you can especially hear Jack Antonoff’s influence in the sound of this song. After reacting to so many albums he produced (Taylor Swift, Lana Del Ray, Florence) you should do one of his Bleachers albums ;) I am leaving for New York City tomorrow to spend a week there before attending the Era’s tour at Metlife!!! Will have to watch next weeks episode when I get back but am excited to hear how you like Choreomania!

For me Dance Fever is the realest “pandemic album”. Just by these two songs we can see the common theme of her relationship with music/art — this extends through the whole album and how the pandemic affected that: for some months there no one was really sure of how the music/concerts industry was going to be and she had to deal with the doubt of “what if I lose this thing that keeps me sane, that heals me?”.

oifogs

Thank you! ❤️ I actually connected to 2 other songs that will come later on in the album. As Wiccan (pagan) Im used to frustration of belittling my faith by Christians (people around me). As you already figured out, the religious motif will only get stronger with every song.

Kitana Khan

When I saw Florence in concert last year, I think this was the song she prefaced with, "this is for all my anxious little flowers out there," and I was like, "it's me!!" This song represents how my specific brand of anxiety feels better than almost anything I've ever heard/read. Just when you think you've shaken it, it comes right back, and it always manifests in physical ways-- I've definitely had the "You're too sensitive." "Okay, but let's discuss this at the hospital [just in case]" conversation. And the only thing that makes me "free" is to make or immerse myself in some kind of art. "To exist in the face of suffering and death and somehow still keep singing"-- to still make something affirming and beautiful-- is what an artist's calling is, I think. Or anyone's, but especially artists'.

Erin

Me too!

English Teacher KP

this is my first time hearing this song and wow that was gorgeous! shes an incredible writer, so excited for the rest of this album

j

I just watched it! OMG 😲😳😲

English Teacher KP

I agree with you 100% regarding the energy of the song! And thank you so much for the heads up!

English Teacher KP

❤️❤️❤️

English Teacher KP

Firstly, I am so very proud of you, and I am so glad that you are here. I can definitely see how you would connect to this song. Thank you so much for sharing!

English Teacher KP

I would also touch on the lyrics. I’ve had anorexia for 8 years from 13-21 y.o. and I know SO WELL the pressure of it being hidden from others. For me it was impossible since well, it’s an illness that is very visible to others and every comment would make “it” pick me up and make me even worse. I’ve felt imprisoned in my own body, I hate the fact “eat more” they always said. I couldn’t, my mind would punish me if I would. Also I am 25 now and I live a pretty happy life as a Literature Professor but well… because of malnutrition I haven’t went through the puberty, I’m infertile but I’m still proud I’m alive and I said metaphorical “NO” to this “it” in my mind, It was the day I started to realize I’m stronger than this illness and day by day I freed myself (pun intended) 😅

Kitana Khan

I loved your reaction! Its really amazing how sincere and vulnerable you decide to be for us, I appreciate it, it feels like we can be humans in this quite “perfect” world.

Kitana Khan

Hello KP, loved your analysis and I am so happy you enjoy the album so far! I just wanted to give you a heads up for the next week song - to better understand what she is talking about I suggest to look up Dancing plague of 1518 if you have time. Someone already mentioned this under King - this event inspired the album and next weeks song specifically. With regards to Free, as you also mentioned, I love the juxtaposition of the music and the lyrics. I also love how the music is very high energy and almost frantic - it puts me into a very "alert" state which actually goes very well with the theme of anxiety.

The music video to this song is really good too. There is an actor who plays the part of Florence's anxiety dragging her around and picking her up and down. You should check it out!

Gotcha! I hadn't noticed the accent before, so it just caught me off guard 😭😭😭 I really am enjoying the album so far; I'm kind of surprised, but the last two songs have been so well constructed! I totally agree with you that the way she visualizes her anxiety is really fascinating! Thanks for watching ❤️❤️❤️

English Teacher KP

Florence is from London! So she has an English accent. She does some spoken word bits in some of her songs, and it’s really apparent there. I recommend checking out the music video for this one sometime. The way she visualizes her anxiety is really creative and thought provoking. I think you’re gonna love this album. Florence really has an unparalleled talent for making songs that are just pure catharsis.

Sav Miller