One of the Greats Songtext
von Florence + the Machine

I crawled up from under the earth
Broken nails and coughin′ dirt
Spittin' 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

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 fumblin' visions transmitted by a television
Got everything I thought I wanted and cried hungover in a hotel closet

Did I get it right? Do I win the prize?
Do you regret bringin′ me back to life?

Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights burstin′ overhead
Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights burstin' overhead


I did my best, tried to impress, my childhood dream made flesh
And my dresses and my flowerin′ sadness, so like a woman to profit from her madness
I was only beautiful under the lights, only powerful there
Burned down at 36, why did you dig me up for this?

Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights burstin' overhead
Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights burstin′ overhead

You'll bury me again, you′ll say it's all pretend
That I could never be great bein' 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 borin' 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?


Did I get it right? Do I win the prize?
Do you regret bringin′ me back to life?
Did I get it right? Do I win the prize?
Do you regret bringin′ me back to life?

Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights burstin' overhead
Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights burstin′

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 burstin' overhead

Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights burstin′ overhead
Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights burstin' overhead

Arms outstretched
Arms outstretched
Streetlights burstin′
Overhead

Overhead
Streetlights burstin'
Overhead