The Greatest

Sia & Kendrick Lamar * Track #14 On This Is Acting (Deluxe)

Download "The Greatest"

The Greatest by Sia (Ft. Kendrick Lamar)

Release Date

Mon Sep 05 2016

Performed by

SiaKendrick Lamar

Produced by

Greg Kurstin

Writed by

Blair MacKichan & Kendrick Lamar & Greg Kurstin & Sia

About

“The Greatest” is an uplifting song of support for the LGBT community in the wake of the 2016 Pulse nightclub mass shooting.

The music video features 49 dancers (one for each victim of the shooting), with one of the dancers confirming this was intended to be a show of support:

The Greatest Lyrics

[Verse 1: Sia]
Uh-oh, runnin' out of breath, but I
Oh, I, I got stamina
Uh-oh, running now, I close my eyes
Well, oh, I got stamina
And uh-oh, I see another mountain to climb
But I, I, I got stamina
Uh-oh, I need another lover, be mine
'Cause I, I, I got stamina

[Pre-Chorus: Sia]
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no

[Chorus: Sia]
I'm free to be the greatest, I'm alive
I'm free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest
The greatest, the greatest alive
The greatest, the greatest alive

[Verse 2: Sia]
Well, uh-oh, runnin' out of breath, but I
Oh, I, I got stamina
Uh-oh, runnin' now, I close my eyes
But, oh, I got stamina
And oh yeah, runnin' through the waves of love
But I, I got stamina
And oh yeah, I'm runnin' and I've just enough
And uh-oh, I got stamina

[Pre-Chorus: Sia]
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no

[Chorus: Sia]
I'm free to be the greatest, I'm alive
I'm free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest
The greatest, the greatest alive
The greatest, the greatest alive

[Post-Chorus: Sia]
Oh-oh, I got stamina
Oh-oh, I got stamina
Oh-oh, I got stamina
Oh-oh, I got stamina

[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]
Ayy, I am the truth
Ayy, I am the wisdom of the fallen; I'm the youth
Ayy, I am the greatest
Ayy, this is the proof
Ayy, I work hard, pray hard, pay dues, ayy
I transform with pressure, I'm hands-on with effort
I fell twice before, my bounce back was special
Letdowns'll get you, and the critics'll test you
But the strong'll survive, another scar may bless you, ah

[Pre-Chorus: Sia, (Kendrick Lamar)]
Don't give up (no no), I won't give up (no no)
Don't give up, no no no (nah)
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no

[Chorus: Sia]
I'm free to be the greatest, I'm alive
I'm free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up, no no no)
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up, no no no)

[Outro: Sia]
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up; I got stamina)
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up; I got stamina)
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up; I got stamina)
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up; I got stamina)
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up; I got stamina)
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up; I got stamina)
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up; I got stamina)
The greatest, the greatest alive
(Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up; I got stamina)

The Greatest Q&A

Who wrote The Greatest's ?

The Greatest was written by Blair MacKichan & Kendrick Lamar & Greg Kurstin & Sia.

Who produced The Greatest's ?

The Greatest was produced by Greg Kurstin.

When did Sia release The Greatest?

Sia released The Greatest on Mon Sep 05 2016.

Does this song have a certain meaning?

It’s about the Orlando Shooting, but also about how anyone can be “the greatest” with dedication. That your value, as seen by others, should be rooted in your existence, not your gender, race, sexual identity, etc.

What is the significance of the dancers in the music video?

One of the dancers, Matt Moseley, confirmed on his Instagram that there are 49 dancers in the music video to represent the 49 victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Humbled to be a part of this video. Thank you @siathisisacting. 49 beautiful lives lost. This is for you. 🌈 #WeAreYourChildren

What is the symbolism of the rainbow paint?

Maddie Ziegler draws rainbow lines underneath her eyes in the opening scene of the music video and is also featured with the paint on the album cover.

The paint represents both the Gay Pride flag and tear or make-up stained cheeks as an after effect of crying. It is intended as a tribute to the vic...

Is there a reason for the hair color change from blonde to black?

Considering this song is also a tribute to the victims of the sad Orlando shooting, the change to black might be a form of respect for the deceased. We all know that black clothing is associated with the act of mourning.

Is this the first time Sia and Kendrick Lamar have collaborated?

Yes, however Kendrick’s verse is not included in the music video.

Who directed the music video for Sia - "The Greatest"?

The song’s music video is directed by Sia and Daniel Askill, and while it features her longtime collaborator Maddie Ziegler.

Who wrote the song and choreographed the routine in the music video?

Sia wrote the song with Greg Kurstin and Kendrick Lamar. The video was choreographed by Ryan Heffington.

If we only read the lyrics, how could we know that it was about LGBT?

The song is written so it can relate to the listener in more than one way. While the song “hidden” meaning is about the Pulse Nightclub shooting, it can also connect with anyone living hardship, looking for motivation to still go forward.

Sia directed the video and wrote the lyrics, it’s indeniabl...