Three separate versions exist, lyrically + sonically similar but with different arrangements.
Dum Dum
Lana Del Rey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knocking at your door.
You though that you were done,
But now you want me even more.
Dum Dum,
You want me even more,
Dum dum.
I am star child, big smile,
Living in L.A.,
I’m coming over, baby,
You can’t go to school today.
Dum dum,
Go to school today,
Dum dum.
I belong to bygone era,
Like Scarlett O’Hara,
Of the downtown scene,
'Cause I just wanna drink,
I just wanna drink.
I am a pop little singer,
Fam-bam zinger,
Mansfield ringer,
From the Hollywood silver screen,
Silver screen.
Once you've got something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
I am wild child, sky high,
Lying on your floor,
I know I had a lot,
But baby wants a little more.
Dum dum,
Want a little more,
Dum dum.
In my white mint pink,
Cigarettes from the store,
We're making margaritas,
Do you wander to the shore.
Dum Dum,
Wander to the shore,
Dum dum.
I belong to a bygone era,
Like the Bugsy Malone,
Of the deep Sahara,
'Cause I'm on the scene,
Yeah I'm on the scene.
I am a bad jazz singer,
Givin' you the finger,
No matter what you linger,
'Cause you like me even when I'm mean,
I'm the Queen.
Once you've got something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
Once you've got something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
In "Dum Dum," Lana Del Rey adopts the character of a wild child, who effortlessly captures the attention of a lover who previously thought she was done with him. Even though the lover wants her more, she promises him “just a little more” while they drink margaritas and lounge around. The character is described as a “star child,” with a big smile, belonging to a bygone era, and living in Los Angeles. She sings about being a “pop little singer,” a “fam-bam zinger,” and a “Mansfield ringer” from the Hollywood silver screen. The lyrics suggest that she is on the scene, making a name for herself as a bad jazz singer who isn’t afraid to give you the finger but still manages to keep people captivated. She sings about experiencing something of unparalleled beauty that once you’ve tasted, you’ll “never be the same” again.
The lyrics of "Dum Dum" suggest a carefree, hedonistic lifestyle spent drinking, lounging, and exploring without any consequences, as the lover is seemingly willing to skip school to spend time with her. The title “Dum Dum” implies infantilization, suggesting that the relationship might be one of unequal power dynamics, with the character as the younger, innocent one. The line “I am a bad jazz singer, givin’ you the finger, no matter what you linger, ‘cause you like me even when I’m mean,” implies that her lover may have a penchant for unhealthy relationships or enjoys being mistreated. Overall, it’s a song that conjures up images of youthful recklessness and a desire for an escape from everyday life into something magical and unforgettable.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m a wild child, bright child,
Knocking at your door.
I am a free-spirited and optimistic person who seeks excitement in life and is eager to explore new experiences. I am at your doorstep, knocking, looking for adventure.
You thought that you were done,
But now you want me even more.
Dum Dum,
You want me even more,
Dum dum.
You believed that you had moved on and forgotten about me, but now you realize that the attraction and desire to be with me still exist within you. You crave my presence and affection.
I am star child, big smile,
Living in L.A.,
I’m coming over, baby,
You can’t go to school today.
Dum dum,
Go to school today,
Dum dum.
I am a cheerful and confident individual living in the exciting city of Los Angeles. I am coming to visit you, and I want you to skip class and spend time with me instead.
I belong to bygone era,
Like Scarlett O’Hara,
Of the downtown scene,
'Cause I just wanna drink,
I just wanna drink.
I feel like I belong in a past time, similar to the character Scarlett O'Hara from the epic novel Gone with the Wind. I enjoy being part of the bustling downtown scene, and all I want to do is drink and have fun.
I am a pop little singer,
Fam-bam zinger,
Mansfield ringer,
From the Hollywood silver screen,
Silver screen.
I am a small but highly talented singer, a sensation among the masses. I am often associated with the legendary actress Jayne Mansfield and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's silver screen.
Once you've got something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
Once I become a part of your life, I bring something beautiful and transformative to it. I introduce you to my unique perspective of happiness, and you will be forever changed for the better.
I am wild child, sky high,
Lying on your floor,
I know I had a lot,
But baby wants a little more.
Dum dum,
Want a little more,
Dum dum.
I am unrestrained and high spirited, comfortable resting on your floor in your presence. I know I have received a lot from you already, but I still desire more from you - your love, your attention, and your time.
In my white mint pink,
Cigarettes from the store,
We're making margaritas,
Do you wander to the shore.
Dum Dum,
Wander to the shore,
Dum dum.
I am in a relaxed and carefree mood, with white mint-pink on my fingertips and store-bought cigarettes. We are making margaritas, and I wonder if you would like to join me near the shore and enjoy the day together.
I belong to a bygone era,
Like the Bugsy Malone,
Of the deep Sahara,
'Cause I'm on the scene,
Yeah, I'm on the scene.
I feel like I am part of a past time, similar to the infamous figure of Bugsy Malone, the American gangster. It is like I am in the arid and challenging terrain of the deep Sahara, and I am always on the scene - present and involved in the action.
I am a bad jazz singer,
Givin' you the finger,
No matter what you linger,
'Cause you like me even when I'm mean,
I'm the Queen.
I may not have the best singing voice, but I still have something to show for my music. I can be rebellious and sign you off with the middle finger, yet you still have an attraction to me - even when I am not at my best. I am the Queen of my domain, and I command respect.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
Once you experience the beauty and uniqueness of what I bring to the table, you will never be able to go back to the way things were before. I will impact and change you in a positive way, and you will always remember the time spent with me.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
Once you experience the beauty and uniqueness of what I bring to the table, you will never be able to go back to the way things were before. I will impact and change you in a positive way, and you will always remember the time spent with me.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
Once you experience the beauty and uniqueness of what I bring to the table, you will never be able to go back to the way things were before. I will impact and change you in a positive way, and you will always remember the time spent with me.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You’ll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You’ll be forever changed.
Once you experience the beauty and uniqueness of what I bring to the table, you will never be able to go back to the way things were before. I will impact and change you in a positive way, and you will always remember the time spent with me.
Contributed by Nora Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@emematu
I'm a wild child, bright child,
Knocking at your door.
You though that you were done,
But now you want me even more.
Dum dum,
You want me even more,
Dum dum.
I am star child, big smile,
Living in L.A.,
I'm coming over, baby,
You can't go to school today.
Dum dum,
Go to school today,
Dum dum.
I belong to bygone era,
Like Scarlett O'Hara,
Of the downtown scene,
'Cause I just wanna dream,
I just wanna drink.
I am a pop blue singer,
Fam-bam zinger,
Mansfield ringer,
From the Hollywood silver screen,
Silver screen.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You'll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You'll be forever changed.
I am wild child, sky high,
Lying on your floor,
I know I had a lot,
But baby wants a little more.
Dum dum,
Want a little more,
Dum dum.
In my white minkpink,
Cigarettes from the store,
We're making robberies from,
Tijuana, Tuga Shore.
Dum dum,
'Juana Tuga Shore,
Dum dum.
I belong to a bygone era,
Like the Bugsy Malone,
Of the deep Sahara,
'Cause I'm on the scene,
Yeah I'm on the scene.
I am a bad jazz singer,
Givin' you the finger,
No matter what, you'll linger,
'Cause you like me even,
When I'm mean, I'm the Queen.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You'll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You'll be forever changed.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You'll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You'll be forever changed.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You'll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You'll be forever changed.
Once you've had something,
Something so beautiful,
You'll never be the same.
Once you've had a taste,
Of heaven my way,
You'll be forever changed.
@hannahmichaud1616
its true, once I got a taste of lana’s songs I was never the same!!! ❣️
@allietarasova3560
fr
@winnie5269
her songs matured me as a kid lol
@ZainAsher20
me too!
@Arthurk346
her voice in this pitched version is so heavenly soft
@j.h.hernandez5099
oh god this would be great if the pitch was normal
@calirorrer6552
J. H. Hernandez i have the slowed version and I love it
@ronnied8482
@@calirorrer6552 can you send it to me?
@jennyriannn7415
Look up dum dum on SoundCloud, a ton of unreleased unpitched Lana songs are on there
@snowynight6048
normal pitch was never an otpion <3