Carmen
Del Rey Lana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lying to herself 'cause her liquor's top shelf
It's alarming, honestly how charming she can be
Fooling everyone, telling Hum she's having fun
She says, "you don't want to be like me
Don't wanna see all the things I've seen"
I'm dying, I'm dying
Famous, and dumb, at an early age
Lyingm I'm lying
The boys, the girls, they all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies, bats her cartoon eyes
She laughs like God, her mind's like a diamond
Buy her tonight, she's still shining
Like lightning, oh, like lightning
Carmen, Carmen, staying up 'til morning
Only seventeen, but she walks the streets so mean
It's alarming, truly, how disarming you can be
Eating soft ice cream, Coney Island queen
She says, "you don't want to be like me
Looking for fun, get me high for free
I'm dying, I'm dying"
She says, "you don't want to get this way
Street walk at night, and a star by day"
It's tiring, tiring
The boys, the girls, they all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies, bats her cartoon eyes
She laughs like God, her mind's like a diamond
Buy her tonight, she's still shining
Like lightning, oh, like lightning
Baby's all dressed up with nowhere to go
That's the little story of the girl you know
Relying on the kindness of strangers
Tyin' cherry knots, smilin', doin' party favors
Put your red dress on, put your lipstick on
Sing your song, song, now, the camera's on
And you're alive again
Mon amour, je sais que tu m'aimes aussi
Tu as besoin de moi
Tu as besoin de moi dans ta vie
Tu ne peux vivre sans moi
Et je mourrais sans toi
Je tuerais pour toi
The boys, the girls, they all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies, bats her cartoon eyes
She laughs like God, her mind's like a diamond
Buy her tonight, she's still shining
Like lightning, oh, like lightning
Like lightning, oh, like lightning
Darling, darling, doesn't have a problem
Lying to herself 'cause her liquor's top shelf
The opening lines of Lana Del Rey’s Carmen introduces the singer of the song who is a beautiful teenage girl who is struggling with addiction issues. She lies to everyone around her about the severity of her situation, as she dwells in her own misery. Lana sings about how charming she can be, despite having troubles that are alarming to those who care for her. She tells everyone around her that they don't want to be like her, 'famous and dumb at an early age,' while maintaining her facade of having fun.
The chorus talks about how this girl, Carmen, is liked by both boys and girls due to her captivating personality. She has the ability to give people butterflies with just a look, and how she laughs like God herself, and how her mind is like a diamond, creating the illusion of perfection. Lana has painted a vivid picture of a girl who is lost, wandering the streets, offering herself to whoever will give her attention, even resorting to relying on the kindness of strangers. Yet despite all that, everyone is still drawn to her magnetic personality, leaving readers with a sense of despair for what could have been. Lana's poetic writing style adds an emotional depth to Carmen's story, creating a powerful impact on her fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling, darling, doesn't have a problem
The subject of the song is a charming girl named Carmen who seems to have no problem with her lifestyle.
Lying to herself 'cause her liquor's top shelf
Carmen is aware that she is living dangerously. She is using alcohol to cope and justify her actions.
It's alarming, honestly how charming she can be
Carmen's ability to charm others in spite of her self-destructive tendencies is surprising and concerning.
Fooling everyone, telling Hum she's having fun
Carmen is leading others to believe that she is enjoying her life, but she is actually struggling with her situation.
She says, "you don't want to be like me
Carmen acknowledges that her lifestyle is not desirable and advises others to avoid following in her footsteps.
Don't wanna see all the things I've seen"
Carmen has experienced difficult and dangerous situations that she does not want others to go through.
I'm dying, I'm dying
Carmen feels like she is slowly dying due to her reckless behavior.
She says, "you don't want to get this way
Carmen is warning others that they do not want to end up in the same difficult situation that she is in.
Famous, and dumb, at an early age
Carmen is cautioning against becoming famous and losing oneself in the process.
Lying, I'm lying
Carmen admits to lying about her life and her situation.
The boys, the girls, they all like Carmen
Carmen is popular and well-liked by both boys and girls.
She gives them butterflies, bats her cartoon eyes
Carmen's charm and charisma make others feel excited and nervous around her.
She laughs like God, her mind's like a diamond
Carmen has a magnetic personality that draws others to her. She also appears to have a strong and sparkling mind.
Buy her tonight, she's still shining
Carmen is still attractive and desirable despite her self-destructive tendencies.
Like lightning, oh, like lightning
Carmen is like a bolt of lightning - beautiful and dangerous.
Baby's all dressed up with nowhere to go
Carmen is presenting herself in a way that is attractive but has no clear purpose or direction.
That's the little story of the girl you know
Carmen is a bit of a mystery, with an unknown backstory and an uncertain future.
Relying on the kindness of strangers
Carmen is living a risky lifestyle and is dependent on others for help and support.
Tyin' cherry knots, smilin', doin' party favors
Carmen is engaging in dangerous behavior and enjoying the party lifestyle.
Put your red dress on, put your lipstick on
Carmen is emphasizing the importance of appearances and trying to present herself in the best possible light.
Sing your song, song, now, the camera's on
Carmen wants to be the center of attention and is always performing for others.
And you're alive again
Carmen finds meaning and purpose in the attention and validation she receives from others.
Mon amour, je sais que tu m'aimes aussi
Carmen speaks in French, expressing her belief that her lover also loves her.
Tu as besoin de moi
Carmen believes that her lover needs her.
Tu as besoin de moi dans ta vie
Carmen feels that she is an integral part of her lover's life.
Tu ne peux vivre sans moi
Carmen believes that her lover cannot live without her.
Et je mourrais sans toi
Carmen would feel lost without her lover and would be willing to die for them.
Je tuerais pour toi
Carmen is willing to do anything for her lover, including committing violent acts.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elizabeth Grant, Justin Parker, Lana Del Ray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@itaro5789
Lyrics :
Darlin’, darlin’
Doesn’t have a problem
Lyin’ to herself
Cause her liquor’s top shelf
It’s alarming honestly
How charming she can be
Fooling everyone
Telling them she’s having fun
She says, “You don’t want to be like me, don’t want to see all the things I’ve seen”
I’m dyin’, I’m dyin’
She says, “You don’t want to get this way, famous and dumb at an early age”
Lyin’, I’m lyin’
The boys, the girls
They all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies
Bats her cartoon eyes
She laughs like God
Her mind’s like a diamond
Audiotune lies
She’s still shinin’
Like lightning
White lightning
Carmen, Carmen
Staying up till morning
Only 17, but she walks the streets so mean
It’s alarming truly
How disarming you can be
Eatin’ soft ice cream
Coney Island queen
She says, “ You don’t want to be like me, lookin’ for fun, gettin’ high for free”
I’m dyin’, I’m dyin’
She says, “You don’t want to get this way, street walk at night and a star by day”
It’s tirin’, tirin’
The boys, the girls
They all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies
Bats her cartoon eyes
She laughs like God
Her mind’s like a diamond
Audiotune lies
She’s still shinin’
Like lightning
White lightning
Baby’s all dressed up with nowhere to go
That’s the little story of the girl you know
Relying on the kindness of strangers
Tying cherry knots
Smiling, doing party favours
Put your red dress on, put your lipstick on
Sing your song, song, now the camera’s on
And you’re alive again
Mon amour, je sais que tu m’aimes aussi
(My love, I know you love me too)
Tu as besoin de moi
(You need me)
Tu as besoin de moi dans ta vie
(You need me on your life)
Tu ne peux pas vivre sans moi
(You can’t life without me)
Et je mourrais sans toi
(And I would die without you)
Je tuerais pour toi
(I would kill for you)
The boys, the girls
They all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies
Bats her cartoon eyes
She laughs like God
Her mind’s like a diamond
Audiotune lies
She’s still shinin’
Like lightning
White lightning x2
Darlin’, darlin’
Doesn’t have a problem
Lyin’ to herself
Cause her liquor’s top shelf
@whytho6683
lana del rey is fucking art
@joeryanatkinson8878
omg so true, wow, Bae , art art art , art, sloppy fart
@M3Lucky
+Joe ryanatkinson lmao wtf bro
@eneso2650
no Lana is just fuck you
@julianna6486
NotPoppy lol
@jamescollins6341
Listen to 'Peacock Affect - Wallflower'
@laurenendaya4169
"Baby's all dressed up with nowhere to go" felt that
@visionary9385
RIGGHHTT 😂
@cibeleoliveiras
The moment I read your comment I heard this part of the song I mean 😭😭
@poemsbypoetry
Quarantine mood