“Breath of Life” was written and recorded by Florence and the Machine for the 2012 film, Snow White and the Huntsman. Florence Welch and Isabella Summers confirmed that the song is based on Queen Ravenna, the film’s villain.

The song fits with the theme of their 2011 album, Ceremonials as it features sweeping orchestrals, a 60-piece choir and percussion. As a single, it received positive critic reviews, but they did not translate into chart success.