(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Florence Welch thinks being a chart-topping musician "can be so lonely".

The British songstress and her band Florence + The Machine rose to fame after their debut record Lungs came out in 2009. It was a commercial success, picking up a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize and winning MasterCard British Album at the 2010 BRIT Awards.

Despite her success, Florence says being an accomplished musician isn't always fun.

"Yeah, I think so," she replied when asked if she identifies with tragic women artists.

"[Being a performer], you've chosen a lifestyle that leads to real elation and real devastation. It can be so lonely. You sacrifice having a normal life for this dream and it's so fantastic, but the exhaustion in your emotions and your body can become really massive.

"There are moments when you're exhausted and you're singing and you feel so exposed."

Florence thinks female singers have an edge over male performers when it comes to showing frankness on stage.

The 25-year-old star says they are more open to showing their softer side.

"I think female performers are more willing to expose their vulnerability and it's that really intoxicating mix of vulnerability and strength," she told NME magazine. (C) Cover Media