| "Boxed Up Broken Heart" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Jasmine Armfield | |
| Released | 16 February 2017 |
| Venue | BBC Elstree Centre |
| Length | 3:39 |
| Songwriter(s) | Gwyneth Herbert |
"Boxed Up Broken Heart" is a song written by Gwyneth Herbert and performed in the BBC soap opera EastEnders by actress Jasmine Armfield, in character, as part of a storyline for her character, Bex Fowler.
Background
edit
The song was written by Herbert specifically for its use in EastEnders.[1] Armfield heard that EastEnders producers wanted her character to perform an original song in the show, and she had a meeting with Herbert to talk about Bex's character and feelings, and Herbert wrote them into the song. Armfield felt nervous about the song but said she was passionate about it.[2] Armfield said that Herbert made her "feel comfortable" during the process and opined that the song was "perfect" for her character as it reflected how Bex had been feeling in the series.[1] Jonathan Hughes from Radio Times said the song is about "teenage angst" and inspired by "boy trouble".[3] Herbert watched Armfield performing the song in character during filming.[2]
In EastEnders
editIn the storyline, Bex writes the song after splitting from her boyfriend, Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi). Armfield said that Bex has "so much going on in her life", and has a lot of emotions that she cannot put into words, so writes a song.[1] Armfield said that every lyric has a meaning and Bex wants to "get through to Shakil", and it is a message for him.[4] Part of the song reflects how Bex feels following the betrayal of her friend Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper), who shared a naked photo of Shakil from Bex's phone,[5] and is about Bex wondering how Shakil could blame her for it when it is something she would never do.[1]
Bex videos herself performing the song in the episode shown in the United Kingdom on 14 February 2017, and Shakil watches it on his mobile phone the in the following episode, shown two days later, telling his mother, Carmel Kazemi (Bonnie Langford), that it has gone viral.[3] After the episode, the full video was released online.[6] The video recorded by Bex is referenced in a March 2017 episode during a storyline in which Keegan Baker (Zack Morris) posts a pornographic video online with Bex's head imposed on the body of the model, when Keegan says "I took her head from that music thing she put up with her singing that stupid song and thought it would look better on someone else's body."[7] The song was used in EastEnders again in the episode shown on 13 July 2017, when Bex performs it live at a school talent showcase.[8]
Reception
editJustin Harp of Digital Spy said that "Armfield helped channel all of the teen's turmoil from her split from Shakil and bullying drama into the song", which he called "heartbreaking" and a "powerful ballad".[1] Lauren Morgan from Digital Spy said that Bex had "channelled her heartbreak and angst" into the song, which was "very catchy" and "a corker".[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Harp, Justin (16 February 2017). "Bex Fowler's heartbreaking EastEnders song 'Boxed Up Broken Heart' is now online". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ a b Lindsay, Duncan (16 February 2017). "EastEnders star reveals all as Bex Fowler's original song is released in full". Metro. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ a b Hughes, Jonathan (16 February 2017). "EastEnders spoilers: hear Bex Fowler's song in full". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ Crothers, Jennifer (18 February 2017). "EastEnders' Bex releases heartbreaking song about Shakil split in full". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ McCahill, Elaine (16 February 2017). "EastEnders star Jasmine Armfield releases debut single as Bex Fowler's music storyline continues". The Sun. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ "BBC One - EastEnders, 16/02/2017, Bex: Boxed Up Broken Heart". BBC Online. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ Tutton, Charlotte (5 March 2017). "EastEnders Spoilers: Shakil Kazemi ATTACKS Keegan in violent showdown over Bex Fowler video porn revenge shock". OK!. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ Hughes, Jonathan (13 July 2017). "EastEnders spoilers: Bex Fowler attacked, Mads and Alex busted!". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ Morgan, Laura (16 March 2017). "7 reasons why Bex Fowler is going to be a big EastEnders star". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 December 2017.