“One of the Greats” by Florence + the Machine is a newly released, deeply personal song from the upcoming album “Everybody Scream,” dropping on October 31, 2025. Florence Welch’s lyrics navigate her journey through pain, rebirth, and acceptance, touching on themes of womanhood, power, and artistic legacy. Inspired by her own battles and healing, the song blends poetic storytelling with the band’s iconic indie rock sound, making it a powerful anthem of resilience. This track stands out for its raw self-examination and commentary on the music industry, reflecting Welch’s signature style: soaring vocals, emotive metaphors, and unflinching honesty.
The song’s verses, with imagery of rising from the earth and confronting old scars, connect strongly to the album’s broader themes of rebirth and celebration in the face of darkness. As part of “Everybody Scream,” the song sits beside other confessional, theatrical tracks, all created during Welch’s period of physical and emotional recovery. The album promises a rich exploration of mysticism, vulnerability, and the pursuit of happiness amid chaos, solidifying Florence + the Machine’s legacy of powerful alternative music. Dive into the One of the Greats lyrics below and unpack its passionate journey of hardship and triumph. Don’t miss other “Everybody Scream” tracks for more of Florence Welch’s personal magic and catharsis.
| Lead Vocals | Florence Welch |
| Songwriter | Florence Welch & Mark Bowen |
| Music Producer | Mark Bowen & Aaron Dessner |
| Video Director | Autumn De Wilde |
| Video Editor | Joseph Barglowski |
| Label | Polydor Records |
| Release Date | September 24, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Universal Music Group |
Lyrics of One of the Greats by Florence + the Machine
[Verse 1]
I Crawled Up From Under The Earth
Broken Nails And Coughing Dirt
Spitting Out My Songs So You Could Sing Along, Oh
And With Each Bedraggled Breath, I Knew I Came Back From The Dead
To Show You How It’s Done, To Show You What It Takes
To Conquer And To Crucify, To Become One Of The Greats
One Of The Greats
[Verse 2]
I Kept A Scream Inside My Chest, Killed Everyone I’d Ever Kissed
Hung Them On The Wall Like Trophies, Each Name, A Stain Upon My Lips
I Told The Truth But Could Never See It Through
You See Yourself Hung On The Wall But That Song Is Not About You
I Wrote Down All My Fumbling Visions Transmitted By A Television
Got Everything I Thought I Wanted And Cried Hungover In A Hotel Closet
[Pre-Chorus]
Did I Get It Right? Do I Win The Prize?
Do You Regret Bringing Me Back To Life?
[Chorus]
Arms Outstretched, Back From The Dead
Streetlights Bursting Overhead
Arms Outstretched, Back From The Dead
Streetlights Bursting Overhead
[Verse 3]
I Did My Best, Tried To Impress,
My Childhood Dream Made Flesh
And My Dresses And My Flowering Sadness,
So Like A Woman To Profit From Her Madness
I Was Only Beautiful Under The Lights, Only Powerful There
Burned Down At Thirty-six
Why Did You Dig Me Up For This?
[Chorus]
Arms Outstretched, Back From The Dead
Streetlights Bursting Overhead
Arms Outstretched, Back From The Dead
Streetlights Bursting Overhead
[Bridge]
You’ll Bury Me Again, You’ll Say It’s All Pretend
That I Could Never Be Great Being Held Up Against Such Male Tastes
Because Who Really Gets To Be One Of The Greats, One Of The Greats?
But I’ve Really Done It This Time (Ah-ah), This One Is All Mine
I’ll Be Up There With The Man And The Ten Other Women (Ah-ah)
And The Hundred Greatest Records Of All Time (Ah-ah)
It Must Be Nice To Be A Man
And Make Boring Music Just Because You Can (Ah-ah)
Now Don’t Get Me Wrong, I’m A Fan (Ah-ah)
You’re My Second Favourite Front-man (Ah-ah)
And You Could Have Me If You Weren’t So Afraid Of Me
It’s Funny How Men Don’t Find Power Very Sexy
So This One’s For The Ladies
Do I Drive You Crazy?
Did I Get It Right?
[Pre-Chorus]
Did I Get It Right? Do I Win The Prize?
Do You Regret Bringing Me Back To Life?
Did I Get It Right? Do I Win The Prize?
Do You Regret Bringing Me Back To Life?
[Chorus]
Arms Outstretched, Back From The Dead
Streetlights Bursting Overhead
Arms Outstretched, Back From The Dead
Streetlights Bursting Overhead
[Outro]
Too Feminine To Function
A Pile Of Bodies And A Trail Of Destruction
I Will Let The Light In, I Will Let Some Love In
I Will Be Happy, It Will Be Perfect
I Will Let The Light In, I Will Let Some Love In
I Will Be Happy, It Will Be Perfect
I Will Let The Light In (Arms Outstretched, Back From The Dead)
Streetlights Bursting Overhead
Arms Outstretched, Back From The Dead
Streetlights Bursting Overhead
Arms Outstretched, Back From The Dead
Streetlights Bursting Overhead
Arms Outstretched
Arms Outstretched
Streetlights Bursting
Overhead
Overhead
Streetlights Bursting
Overhead
