Morning Elvis (song)

**"Morning Elvis"** is a song by Florence + the Machine from their fifth studio album, *Dance Fever*. A live version of the song in a duet with Ethel Cain was released as a promotional single on December 9, 2022.

## Background

On October 1, 2022, Ethel Cain performed as a special guest opening for Florence + the Machine's show at Denver's Ball Arena. During the main show, Florence Welch brought out Ethel to join her in a duet of "Morning Elvis". Two months later, Florence + the Machine released this version of the song as a promotional single.

In a statement released alongside the recording, Welch said:

> “'Morning Elvis' is a song about the power of performance. Of rock and roll tragedy and transcendence. And it’s a sign of a truly special artist when they make a cover their own. When Hayden sang this song it felt like it was hers, she really gave it that outlaw energy, like witches of the Wild West. I even threw more lines at her on the day because her tone and cadence was so perfect I wanted to hear more. And she did not miss a line even with only an hour to rehearse. I truly think I have found a kindred spirit aesthetically and artistically. And now every show I sing 'Morning Elvis' with an Ethel Cain inflection.”
>
>

Ethel Cain added:

> “I was giggling when we rehearsed the song just the two of us before the show because Florence told me that 'Morning Elvis' was her channeling her inner Southern rocker, and I told her I couldn’t stop myself from emulating her British accent on certain words. It felt like a holy convergence happening in a basketball arena. Florence’s dressing room smelled like powder and sage and we were both dressed in white, singing our lines back and forth to each other, and I felt like I was back in choir practice, but with an actual angel this time. She’s never not smiling, and if you would have told me we were the only two people in the entire venue while we sang it in the middle of her set, I would have believed you.”
>
>

## Lyrics

[Verse 1: Florence Welch, *Ethel Cain*, **Both**]

When they dressed me and they put me on a plane to Memphis, well

I never got to see Elvis

*I just sweated it out in a motel room*
But I think the king would've understood

Why I never made it to Graceland
Bathroom tiles were cool against my hand

*I pressed my forehead to the floor and I prayed for a trapdoor*

I've been here many times before

**But I've never made it to Graceland**

[Chorus: Florence Welch & Ethel Cain]

And if I make it to the mornin'

I shoulda come with a warnin'

And if I make it to the stage

I'll show you what it means

To be saved

[Verse 2: Ethel Cain, *Florence Welch*, **Both**]

Well, pick me up in New Orleans

Pinned in a bathroom stall

Pick me up above my body

Press my corpse against the wall

*I told the band to leave without me*
I, I'll get the next flight
**And I'll see you** all with Elvis

If I don't survive the night

[Chorus: Florence Welch & Ethel Cain]

If I make it to the mornin'

I shoulda come with a warnin'

And if I make it to the stage

I'll show you what it means

To be saved

[Bridge: Ethel Cain, *Florence Welch*]

And after every tour, I swear I'll quit

*It's over, boys, now this is it*

But the call, it always comes

*The songs like children beggin' to be born*

But I guess I got my wish

*But anything, anything, anything but this*

[Chorus: Both, *Florence Welch*, **Ethel Cain**]

If I make it to the mornin'

I shoulda come with a warnin'

If I make it to the stage

I'll show you what it means

To be saved

*Well, you know I'm still afraid*

**I'm still crazy and I'm still scared**

*But if I make it to the stage*

I'll show you what it means

To be spared

To be spared

To be spared

To be spared

To be spared

[Spoken Outro: Florence Welch]

Ethel Cain

## References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvcpmLpukaw
2. ↑ https://www.papermag.com/ethel-cain-florence-the-machine-2658380922.html#rebelltitem7
3. ↑ https://www.thefader.com/2022/12/09/ethel-cain-florence-the-machine-morning-elvis