The song tells the story of a young woman named Carmen, who despite her captivating allure, is struggling with addiction, loneliness, and eventually meets her demise. The lyrics describe her as charming, disarming, and a confidant of sorts, but also as a liar who is deceiving everyone around her about her struggles.
In the first verse, Carmen is depicted as someone who has access to top-shelf liquor, which may be an indication of her dangerous indulgences. The pre-chorus and chorus describe her as being popular amongst boys and girls alike, with her charismatic and seductive persona, but she warns them not to be like her. She acknowledges her own addiction and the toll it's taking on her life.
The second verse portrays Carmen as a young girl who is already walking the streets at night, portraying a dangerous and risky lifestyle. The lyrics hint at the fact that Carmen is using drugs to cope with her struggles, leaving her disarming and alarming to those around her who care for her well-being.
The bridge suggests that Carmen is relying on the kindness of strangers and is engaging in risky behavior such as using drugs and participating in party favors. The interlude adds a layer of tragic love to the story, with Carmen's lover confessing to being unable to live without her, and Carmen willing to do anything for him.
The song's haunting outro returns to the lyrical theme of Carmen's addiction - that she has a problem but continues to drink from her top-shelf liquor.
Carmen
Lana Del Rey 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 'em 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"
She says, "You don't want to get this way
Famous and dumb at an early age
Lying, 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
Audiotune lies
She's still shining
Like lightning, whoa-whoa
White 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
Streetwalk 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
Audiotune lies
She's still shining
Like lightning, whoa-whoa
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
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
Audiotune lies
She's still shining
Like lightning, whoa-whoa
White lightning
Like lightning, whoa-whoa
White lightning
Darlin', darlin', doesn't have a problem
Lying to herself 'cause her liquor's top-shelf
In "Carmen," Lana Del Rey sings of a young woman named Carmen who lives a life of indulgence and recklessness. Despite her dangerous lifestyle, Carmen is idolized by both boys and girls who are drawn to her charming and alluring personality. Through lyrics such as "It's alarming, truly, how disarming you can be," Lana portrays Carmen as a captivating figure who is able to fool everyone around her despite her inner turmoil.
Lana also touches on the darker side of Carmen's life, highlighting the risks and consequences of her actions. She warns listeners that they don't want to be like Carmen, citing lines such as "Looking for fun, get me high for free" and "Streetwalk at night, and a star by day." Lana's use of hedonistic imagery, such as "soft ice cream" and "Coney Island queen," further emphasizes Carmen's carefree and pleasure-seeking lifestyle.
Ultimately, "Carmen" is an examination of the seductive nature of reckless living, and the dangers that come with chasing after instant gratification. Through her lyrics, Lana Del Rey paints an alluring picture of Carmen while acknowledging the darker aspects of her lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Darlin', darlin', doesn't have a problem
The girl Carmen appears to be charming and carefree, but is actually dealing with inner turmoil.
Lying to herself 'cause her liquor's top-shelf
Carmen is using alcohol as a coping mechanism to hide from her problems.
It's alarming, honestly, how charming she can be
Despite her issues, Carmen has a magnetic quality that attracts people to her.
Fooling everyone, telling 'em she's having fun
Carmen masks her unhappiness by pretending to enjoy herself.
She says, "you don't want to be like me"
Carmen warns others not to follow in her troubled footsteps.
"Don't wanna see all the things I've seen"
She has experienced things that have caused her pain and does not want others to go through the same.
I'm dying, I'm dying
Carmen's internal struggles are causing her great distress.
She says, "you don't want to get this way"
Carmen warns against falling to the same lows she has reached.
"Famous and dumb at an early age"
She regrets becoming famous and losing her way while still young.
Lying, I'm lying
Carmen admits to lying to herself and others about her true state of mind.
The boys, the girls
Carmen is popular among both genders.
They all like Carmen
Carmen's charm appeals to everyone.
She gives them butterflies, bats her cartoon eyes
Carmen flirts and teases, eliciting strong emotions from those around her.
She laughs like God
Carmen's laugh is infectious and larger than life.
Her mind's like a diamond
Carmen is intelligent and sharp-minded.
Audiotune lies
Carmen may use auto-tune, a tool used to enhance vocals, to make her voice sound better, but it's not genuine.
She's still shining
Despite her issues, Carmen's aura continues to draw people in.
Like lightning, whoa-whoa
Carmen has an electric, undeniable presence.
Carmen, Carmen, staying up 'til morning
Carmen leads a fast-paced and reckless lifestyle that involves staying up all night.
Only seventeen, but she walks the streets so mean
Carmen's age does not stop her from engaging in potentially dangerous situations.
It's alarming, truly, how disarming you can be
Carmen's beauty and charm can be manipulative and deceptive.
Eating soft ice cream, Coney Island queen"
Carmen indulges in a simple pleasure, but retains her sense of being a queen.
Looking for fun, get me high for free
Carmen seeks out pleasure and escape through drugs and other means without consequence.
It's tiring, tiring
Carmen's lifestyle and way of coping are exhausting and unsustainable.
Baby's all dressed up with nowhere to go
Carmen may present herself in a certain way, but she has no true direction or purpose.
That's the little story of the girl you know
Carmen's life may seem glamorous from the outside, but it is actually full of turmoil.
Relying on the kindness of strangers
Carmen must rely on others to help her navigate her troubled existence.
Tyin' cherry knots, smilin', doin' party favors
Carmen engages in risky and self-destructive behaviors in order to keep up appearances and fit in with her peers.
Put your red dress on, put your lipstick on
Carmen is telling the listener to put on a brave face and keep up appearances, regardless of the internal pain.
Sing your song, song, now, the camera's on
Carmen encourages the listener to fake it and perform for the camera, even if it's not genuine.
And you're alive again
Putting on a façade can give the illusion of being alive and vibrant, despite the internal turmoil.
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
Carmen speaks in French, telling her lover that they need each other desperately and that she would do anything for them.
Like lightning, whoa-whoa
Carmen has an electric, undeniable presence.
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