Without You
Lana Del Rey Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everything I want I have
Money, notoriety and rivieras
I even think I found God
In the flashbulbs of the pretty cameras
Pretty cameras, pretty cameras
Am I glamorous? Tell me, am I glamorous?

Hello? Hello? Ca-can you hear me?
I can be your China doll if you wanna see me fall
Boy, you're so dope, your love is deadly
Tell me life is beautiful, they all think I have it all
I've nothing without you
All my dreams and all the lights mean
Nothing without you

Summertime is nice and hot
And my life is sweet like vanilla is
Gold and silver line my heart
But burned into my brain are these stolen images
Stolen images, baby, stolen images
Can you picture it, babe? That life we could've lived

Hello? Hello? Ca-can you hear me?
I can be your China doll if you like to see me fall
Boy, you're so dope, your love is deadly
Tell me life is beautiful, they all think I have it all
I've nothing without you
All my dreams and all the lights mean
Nothing without you

We were two kids just tryna get out
Lived on the dark side of the American dream
We would dance all night, play our music loud
When we grew up, nothing was what it seemed

Hello? Hello? Ca-can you hear me?
I can be your China doll if you like to see me fall
Boy, you're so dope, your love is deadly
Tell me life is beautiful, they think that I have it all
I've nothing without you
All my dreams and all the lights mean
Nothing without you

Hello? Hello? Ca-can you hear me?
I can be your China doll if you like to see me fall
Boy, you're so dope, your love is deadly
Tell me life is beautiful, they think that I have it all
I've nothing without you
All my dreams and all the lights mean
Nothing without you





All my dreams and all the lights mean
Nothing if I can't have you

Overall Meaning

The song is titled "Without You," a track from Lana Del Rey's debut album "Born to Die." The song appears to contemplate the idea of an existence that is defined by material wealth, celebrity status, and attention from the media. She mentions that she has everything she could want, money, fame, and even a sense of feeling close to God as the flashbulbs of cameras go off. However, she notes that none of these things can replace the importance of a relationship, suggesting she is more empty and alone than fulfilled. The lyrics, "All my dreams and all the lights mean nothing if I can't have you" makes it clear that there is a part of her life which is incomplete.


The song also highlights a larger narcissistic tendency in the world and in particular in the music industry. Many times, artists may create an alluring image to entice the public, but it leaves the artist feeling empty or false. Lana Del Rey recognizes this flaw in her own life, and the song presents itself as an open admission.


"Without You" is a testament to the struggles an artist may face as they attempt to remain their true selves while navigating the demands and expectations of the industry. Del Rey’s panoramic view of her life here is one that shows us her complexities, frailties and vulnerabilities. The song provides a stark reminder that although money and fame can be abundant, there may still be something missing.


Line by Line Meaning

Everything I want I have
I have achieved everything I ever desired


Money, notoriety and riviera
I have money, fame and luxury


I even think I found God
I found solace in my fast-paced, glamorous lifestyle


In the flashbulbs of the
In the paparazzi photos taken by the


Pretty cameras
Beautiful cameras around me


Am I glamorous?
Do I come across as glamorous?


Tell me am I glamorous?
Please confirm if I am seen as glamorous?


Hello, hello ca-can you hear me?
I am yearning to connect with someone


I can be your China doll
I can be anyone you want me to be


If you want to see me fall
If you want to witness me crumble


You're so good
You're so desirable


Your love is deadly
Your love is intoxicating


Tell me life is beautiful
Convince me that life is worth living for its own sake


They all think I have it all
Everyone assumes I have everything I could ask for


I'm nothing, without you
I feel empty and worthless without you


All my dreams
All the things I aspire to


And all the lights mean
And all the glitz and glamour symbolize


Nothing without you
Are meaningless without you


Summertime is nice and hot
The summer weather is enjoyable


And my life is sweet like vanilla is
My life is good and pleasant


Gold and silver line my heart
I have wealth and abundance in my heart


But brand into my brain
But etched into my memory


Are these stolen images
Are these borrowed memories


Stolen images baby stolen images
Memories that don't belong to me


Can you picture it babe the life we could've lived
Could you imagine the life we could have shared together?


We were two kids, just tryin' to get out
We were two young individuals, striving to make something of ourselves


Live on the dark side of the American dream
We lived on the wrong side of the American Dream


We would dance all night, play our music loud
We would dance and play loud music all night long


When we grew up, nothing was what it seemed
As we grew up, we realized things were not as they appeared to be


All my dreams and all the lights mean
All my aspirations and the flashy exterior


Nothing if I can't have you
Are nothing if I can't be with you




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELIZABETH GRANT, SACHA SKARBEK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Robert Cochran


on West Coast

Amazing how the film maker lifted the filming of this video directly from the Chet Baker documentary Let's Get Lost - black & white hanging at the beach and cruising in the backs of convertables

ciggywater


on National Anthem

such a goddess

Abygail Fernandez Smith


on West Coast

ganda

Inside Bilderberg


on Cruel World

Love this song.

Romatizzalid Bozin Veda Loca


on West Coast

barcelona akhawa

Dawit Dawit


on Ultraviolence

nice

Dawit Dawit


on West Coast

best

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