Bellevue
Lana Del Rey Lyrics

In the song "Bellevue" by Lana Del Rey, the lyrics depict a sense of loneliness, longing, and rejection. The opening lines reveal that the singer had no one before meeting the person they are addressing in the song. However, they also acknowledge that they could easily go back to being alone again.

The repetition of the line "He doesn't want me around" echoes a feeling of rejection and being unwanted. This repetition emphasizes the singer's insecurity and their perception that the person they desire does not value their presence. It's an expression of their fear of being left alone and abandoned.

The mention of Bellevue, a psychiatric hospital in New York City, introduces a layer of metaphorical meaning. By referring to Bellevue, the singer suggests that they feel mentally unstable or vulnerable without the person they seek validation from. They insinuate that they would resort to self-destructive behavior, such as alcoholism ("a-lush again"), to cope with the pain if it would make the person they desire proud. The line "I know you like to go out and mingle with your friends" implies a sense of jealousy or insecurity, as the singer believes they are not favored over the person's social life.

As the song continues, the lyrics portray the singer's desperation to keep the person's attention. The line "And I could change my name, go back to gold lamé, just like the good old days, tangos and Tanqueray" suggests a willingness to transform themselves to please the person, even if it means returning to a past persona. They are willing to do whatever it takes to avoid feeling the pain of rejection again.

The subsequent lines express a newfound sense of resilience and numbness to emotional pain. The repetition of the phrase "Nothing can hurt me now" suggests that the singer has reached a breaking point of emotional detachment or self-preservation. However, this numbness also reveals a sense of sadness, as the line "Now I will wait for you for three hundred years" implies an acceptance of waiting indefinitely for a love that may never come. The singer's acknowledgment of their own insanity and fear suggests a deep-rooted insecurity and a sense of being unworthy of the person's love.

In conclusion, "Bellevue" delves into themes of rejection, loneliness, and the lengths one may go to in order to maintain a connection with someone they desire. The lyrics paint a picture of a vulnerable individual who fears being alone and is willing to sacrifice their own well-being to keep the attention and affection of the person they long for.