The Man I Love
.Lana Del Rey. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I like to see everything in neon
Drink lime green, stay up 'til dawn
Maybe the way that I'm living is killing me
I like to light up the stage with a song
Do shit to keep me turned on
But one day I woke up like
"Maybe I'll do it differently"
So I moved to California, but it's just a state of mind
It turns out everywhere you go, you take yourself, that's not a lie
Wish that you would hold me or just say that you were mine
It's killing me slowly

Dream a little dream of me
Make me into something sweet
Turn the radio on, dancing to a pop song
Fuck it, I love you
Fuck it, I love you
Fuck it, I love you
I really do

I used to shoot up my veins in neon
And shit's even brighter, you're gone
So many things I would say to you
I want you

You moved to California, but it's just a state of mind
And you know everyone adores you
You can't feel it and you're tired
Baby, wish that you would hold me or just say that you were mine
But it's killing me slowly

Dream a little dream of me
Turn this into something sweet
Turn the radio on, dancing to a pop song
Fuck it, I love you
Fuck it, I love you
Fuck it, I love you
I really do

It turns out California's more than just a state of mind
I met you on the boulevard, wind through my hair, you blew my mind
And if I wasn't so fucked up, I think I'd fuck you all the time
(I really do)
It's killing me slowly
(Fuck it, I love you)

I moved to California, but it's just a state of mind
(Fuck it, I love you)
It turns out everywhere you go you take yourself, that's not a lie
(Fuck it, I love you)
Wish that you would hold me or just say that you were mine
(I really do)
It's killing me slowly
(Fuck it, I love you)

California dreamin', I got my money on my mind
(Fuck it, I love you)
Drugs is in my veins, running out of time
(Fuck it, I love you)
California dreamin', I got my money on my mind
(I really do)
Drugs is in my veins, running out of time
(Fuck it, I love you)
California dreamin', I got my money on my mind
(Fuck it, I love you)
Drugs is in my veins, running out of time
(Fuck it, I love you)
California dreamin', I got my money on my mind




(I really do)
Drugs is in my veins, running out of time

Overall Meaning

The Man I Love by Lana Del Rey is a song about the singer's personal journey of self-discovery and the realization that her lifestyle has been harming her. The opening lines, “I like to see everything in neon, drink lime green, stay up 'til dawn” suggest that the singer has been living a wild and reckless lifestyle. However, she realizes that her way of living is killing her, and she wants to change. The song expresses her yearning for a meaningful connection with someone, wishing someone would hold her or just say that they were hers.


The chorus of the song, “Dream a little dream of me, turn this into something sweet, turn the radio on, dancing to a pop song, fuck it, I love you, I really do” expresses the singer's desire for love and intimate connection. She wants to turn her life around, and she's ready to take a chance on the "California dream."


Throughout the song, the lyrics revolve around the themes of self-discovery, love, and the realization that change is possible. It's a song that acknowledges the fragility of human existence and the need for love and companionship to make life worth living.


Line by Line Meaning

I like to see everything in neon
I prefer seeing things in bright, flashy colors


Drink lime green, stay up 'til dawn
I consume a bright green drink and stay awake until morning


Maybe the way that I'm living is killing me
I suspect that my current lifestyle is harmful to me


I like to light up the stage with a song
I enjoy performing my music in a flashy, attention-grabbing way


Do shit to keep me turned on
I do things that excite and energize me


But one day I woke up like 'Maybe I'll do it differently'
One day I decided to try a different approach to life


So I moved to California, but it's just a state of mind
I relocated to California, but I recognize that one's physical location does not necessarily change one's mental state


It turns out everywhere you go, you take yourself, that's not a lie
I realize that no matter where I go, I am still the same person


Wish that you would hold me or just say that you were mine
I desire affection and acknowledgement from someone


It's killing me slowly
The lack of love and acknowledgment is hurting me gradually


Dream a little dream of me
I hope someone thinks of me romantically or affectionately


Make me into something sweet
I wish to be viewed as a pleasant and desirable person


Turn the radio on, dancing to a pop song
I enjoy dancing to upbeat and popular music


Fuck it, I love you
I have strong feelings of love towards someone


I used to shoot up my veins in neon
I used to inject bright and flashy drugs into my body


And shit's even brighter, you're gone
Drugs are more appealing when the person I love is not around


So many things I would say to you
There are many words I want to say to the person I love


I want you
I desire the person I love


It turns out California's more than just a state of mind
California has qualities that cannot be attributed solely to one's mental state


I met you on the boulevard, wind through my hair, you blew my mind
I fell in love with someone I met on the street who had a major impact on me


And if I wasn't so fucked up, I think I'd fuck you all the time
If I were not under the influence of drugs, I would engage in sexual activity with the person I love frequently


California dreamin', I got my money on my mind
I am preoccupied with making money while living in California


Drugs is in my veins, running out of time
I am running out of time to consume drugs and am worried about it




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andrew Watt, Elizabeth Grant, Jack Antonoff, Louis Bell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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