It is the opening track of Lana Del Rey's third EP, Paradise.
Ride
Lana Del Rey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can be my full time, daddy, white and gold
Singing blues has been getting old
You can be my full time, baby
Hot or cold
Don't break me down (don't break me down)
I've been travelin' too long (I've been travelin' too long)
With one pretty song (with one pretty song)
I hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast
I am alone at midnight
Been tryin' hard not to get into trouble, but I
I've got a war in my mind
So, I just ride
Just ride, I just ride, I just ride
Dying young and playing hard
That's the way my father made his life an art
Drink all day and we talk 'til dark
That's the way the road doves do it, ride 'til dark
Don't leave me now (don't leave me now)
Don't say good bye (don't say good bye)
Don't turn around (don't turn around)
Leave me high and dry (leave me high and dry)
I hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast
I am alone at midnight
Been tryin' hard not to get into trouble, but I
I've got a war in my mind
I just ride
Just ride, I just ride, I just ride
I'm tired of feeling like I'm fucking crazy
I'm tired of driving 'til I see stars in my eyes
All I've got to keep myself sane, baby
So I just ride, I just ride
I hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast
I am alone at midnight
Been tryin' hard not to get into trouble, but I
I've got a war in my mind
I just ride
Just ride, I just ride, I just ride
In Lana Del Rey's song Ride, the singer is on the road, seeking adventure, and longing for companionship. She seems to be in a state of constant motion, as she sings, "I've been out on that open road." She offers herself as a partner, telling her lover, "You can be my full time, daddy, white and gold," and repeats the phrase "You can be my full time, baby, hot or cold" throughout the song, highlighting her need for a constant emotional support. Lana Del Rey's desire for a permanent attachment is contrasted with her solitary midnight drives, where she tries to forget her problems by listening to the "birds on the summer breeze" while "driving fast" and "alone."
The lyrics also reveal the singer's internal conflict. She wants to break free from the monotony of her life, and she sings, "Singing blues has been getting old," but at the same time, she is trying to avoid getting in trouble with lyrics like "Been tryin' hard not to get into trouble." The line "I've got a war in my mind" emphasizes her underlying anxiety and distress, which she uses driving as a way to soothe herself.
The repeated phrase "just ride" serves as a mantra that the singer uses to escape the stresses of her life. She sings, "I'm tired of feeling like I'm fucking crazy. I'm tired of driving 'til I see stars in my eyes, All I've got to keep myself sane, baby, So I just ride, I just ride." In the end, Ride is a song about the struggle to find solace and escape, and the hope for a partner who can help navigate life's ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been out on that open road
I've been traveling for a long time and I need someone to rely on.
You can be my full-time, daddy, white and gold
You're the one I want to stay with me and support me.
Singing blues has been getting old
I'm tired of feeling sad all the time.
You can be my full-time, baby, hot or cold
I want you to be there for me no matter what mood I'm in.
Don't break me down (don't break me down)
Please don't hurt me anymore.
I've been traveling too long (I've been traveling too long)
I've been searching for a long time and I'm tired.
I've been trying too hard (I've been trying too hard)
I've put in a lot of effort and it hasn't been paying off.
With one pretty song (with one pretty song)
All I have left is this one beautiful thing I can create.
I hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast
I love the freedom and possibility of the open road.
I am alone at midnight
This journey is mine and mine alone.
Been trying hard not to get into trouble, but I
I'm doing my best to avoid danger and harm.
I've got a war in my mind
I'm struggling with a lot of internal battles.
So, I just ride
I keep moving forward and not looking back.
Dying young and playing hard
My father lived life to the fullest and I want to do the same.
That's the way my father made his life an art
My dad was a master at living life on his own terms.
Drink all day and we talk 'til dark
Drinking and talking through the night is a way of life on the road.
That's the way the road doves do it, ride 'til dark
This is how travelers and wanderers live their lives.
Don't leave me now (don't leave me now)
Please don't abandon me.
Don't say good-bye (don't say good-bye)
Don't leave me alone in this cruel world.
Don't turn around (don't turn around)
Don't let me see you go.
Leave me high and dry (leave me high and dry)
Don't leave me stranded and alone.
I'm tired of feeling like I'm fucking crazy
I'm exhausted from dealing with my own mental health struggles.
I'm tired of driving 'til I see stars in my eyes
I'm exhausted from living life at such a fast pace.
All I've got to keep myself sane, baby
This journey and the freedom it brings is what keeps me going.
So I just ride, I just ride
I persevere and keep moving forward.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elizabeth Grant, Justin Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielr3117
"I believe in the person i want to become", what a powerful phrase.
@virgyburdese
DanielR true
@mariakalea4877
DanielR got it tattoed on my chest...most powerful phrase I ever heard! true
@Zantetsukens
Indeed. Short, simple, yet powerful.
@ItsVinnieTV
I had it tattooed on my arm. I want to get her to sign it and get it tattooed also. ❤❤
@luluprice254
got it as my yearbook quote and i want to get it tattooed on my ribs.
@carlygraham9044
Not to be dramatic or anything but this song changed my life
@MsPeachster
same. I got the "been tryin' hard not to get into trouble but I-, I got a war on my mind" tattooed on my rib. Honestly when I lost the love of my life, I just wanted quick love. It wasn't healthy but it felt good to just be wanted by someone. The healthy relationships I was in were not "him" or like "him" and I wasn't happy. This song just speaks to me and my early 20's. I traveled, camped in the desert, put myself in stupid situations. To me, this song is a reminder of a time that I was able to grow out of. All the lessons I learned. Sometimes when i'm feeling hurt even an episode of extreme manic feelings, I listen to this. I get my cry session over and live my best life.
@DeleoState
Same!
@Lucy-dy4if
No, you aren't dramatic.😂❤