Do you want me or do you not?
I heard one thing, now I'm hearing another
Dropped a pin to my parking spot
The bar was hot, it's 2 am, it feels like summer

Happiness is a butterfly
Try to catch it, like, every night
It escapes from my hands into moonlight
Every day is a lullaby
Hum it on the phone, like, every night
Sing it for my babies on the tour life
Ah

If he's a serial killer, then what's the worst
That could happen to a girl who's already hurt?
I'm already hurt
If he's as bad as they say, then I guess I'm cursed
Looking into his eyes, I think he's already hurt
He's already hurt

I said, "don't be a jerk, don't call me a taxi"
Sitting in your sweatshirt, crying in the backseat
Ooh
I just wanna dance with you
Hollywood and Vine, Black Rabbit in the alley
I just wanna hold you tight down the avenue
I just wanna dance with you
I just wanna dance with you

Baby, I just wanna dance (dance)
With you (dance)
Baby, I just wanna dance (dance)
With you

Left the canyon, drove to the club
I was one thing, now I'm being another
Go down to Sunset in the truck
I'll pick you up if you're in town on the corner
Ah

Happiness is a butterfly
We should catch it while dancing
I lose myself in the music, baby
Every day is a lullaby
Try to catch it like lightning
I sing it into my music, I'm crazy

If he's a serial killer, then what's the worst
That could happen to a girl who's already hurt?
I'm already hurt
If he's as bad as they say, then I guess I'm cursed
Looking into his eyes, I think he's already hurt
He's already hurt

I said, "don't be a jerk, don't call me a taxi"
Sitting in your sweatshirt, crying in the backseat
Ooh
I just wanna dance with you
Hollywood and Vine, Black Rabbit in the alley
I just wanna hold you tight down the avenue
I just wanna dance with you
I just wanna dance with you

Baby, I just wanna dance (dance)
With you (dance)
Baby, I just wanna dance (dance)
With you

Overall Meaning

In "Happiness is a butterfly" by Lana Del Rey, the artist sings about the complexities of a relationship that she is unsure about. The lyrics express mixed feelings and emotions related to the possibility of spending time with someone who may not have the best intentions. The song conveys an overarching theme of longing and searching for happiness that seems to be just beyond the artist's grasp.

The chorus of the song states that "Happiness is a butterfly," implying that happiness, like the elusive insect, is hard to catch and continually escapes the artist's hands. The artist is struggling to catch happiness every night, symbolizing her search for love and fulfillment. Through the metaphor of the butterfly, Del Rey explores how the beauty and joy of life can be fleeting and elusive, but at the same time, it is worth chasing.

Line by Line Meaning

Do you want me or do you not?
I am confused about your feelings towards me and I am seeking clarity.

I heard one thing, now I'm hearing another
I am getting mixed messages from you and it's making me feel uncertain.

Dropped a pin to my parking spot, The bar was hot, it's 2 am, it feels like summer
I am out late, enjoying the nightlife and hoping to have a good time.

Happiness is a butterfly, Try to catch it like every night, It escapes from my hands into moonlight
Happiness is elusive, like trying to catch a butterfly, and seems to slip away just as I think I've caught it.

Every day is a lullaby, I hum it on the phone like every night, And sing it for my babies on the tour life
My life is like a lullaby, with routine and familiarity, and I miss my loved ones when I'm away on tour.

If he's a serial killer, then what's the worst That could happen to a girl who's already hurt? I'm already hurt
If he's as terrible as people say, then I don't have much to lose, since I am already in pain and hurting.

Looking into his eyes, I think he's already hurt, He's already hurt
I can see a pain in his eyes that suggests he, too, is struggling with hurt and pain.

I said, "Don't be a jerk, don't call me a taxi" Sitting in your sweatshirt, crying in the backseat Ooh I just wanna dance with you
I am upset with you and do not want to leave yet, I just want to enjoy the moment and dance with you.

Hollywood and Vine, Black Rabbit in the alley, I just wanna hold you tight down the avenue, I just wanna dance with you, I just wanna dance with you
I want to experience the excitement of nightlife in Los Angeles with you, and just be close to you and dance together.

Left the canyon, drove to the club, I was one thing, now I'm being another, Go down to Sunset in the truck, I'll pick you up if you're in town on the corner
I left the peaceful surroundings of the canyon and went to the club, feeling like I was transforming into a different person. I am offering to pick you up if you're around Sunset Boulevard and need a ride.

We should catch it while dancing, I lose myself in the music, baby, Try to catch it like lightning, I sing it into my music, I'm crazy
We should try to experience happiness while enjoying life and dancing. When I'm lost in music, I feel free and it makes me feel happy. I try to capture fleeting moments of happiness in my music, even if it seems crazy.

Baby, I just wanna dance (dance), With you (dance), Baby, I just wanna dance (dance), With you
I just want to dance with you, and enjoy the moment together.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elizabeth Grant, Jack Antonoff, Richard Nowels

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Robert Cochran

on West Coast

Amazing how the film maker lifted the filming of this video directly from the Chet Baker documentary Let's Get Lost - black & white hanging at the beach and cruising in the backs of convertables