“Mermaids” by Florence + the Machine

“Mermaids” was released on 21 April 2023. Approximately a year prior, Florence and the Machines’ studio LP “Dance Fever” came out through Polydor Records. It proceeded to do well for itself critically, topping the UK Albums Chart and the Scottish Albums Chart. It also achieved a similar feat on these Billboard listings stateside:

• Top Alternative Albums
• Top Rock Albums
• Top Tastemaker Albums

The project was promoted by a number of singles, including “Mermaids”, which is its fourth single. Other singles include:

• “King”
• “My Love”
• “Free“

“Mermaids” Credits

The composition (i.e. writing and production) of this song is credited to Florence Welch alongside Dave Bayley, the latter being the frontman of another English music act known as Glass Animals.

The Lyrics

As generally understood these days, mermaids are benevolent creatures, but such a perception was not always as common. In fact the myth of mermaids is an offshoot of that of sirens, who were always depicted as being alluring to men but ultimately detrimental to their wellbeing.

So it is with that in mind that you may come across, say, Florence imagining herself as a mermaid with vampire teeth. And so it is also with these lyrics, with the vocalist depicting herself and her ilk, i.e. women of the English nightlife, as mermaids who ‘crawl from the sea to break a sailor’s heart’.

Of course, we still take it that mermaids are indeed mythical constructs, and as such the wording of this song is obviously symbolic. And all lyrics considered, what it appears the title is alluding to is once again women of the English nightlife but more specifically those who prey on men.

Or let’s say that their victims may be under the impression that such ladies are viable romantic interests, if you will. But after being smitten and used, they will rather come to find out that she wasn’t even remotely serious about their relationship.

Bluntly put, Welch seems to be identifying with the types of women that have developed a preference for one-night stands. And that is to the chagrin of the guys who actually fall for them.

“Cheerful oblivion
Cheerful oblivion”