Black Beauty
Lanadel Rey Lyrics
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I dye my hair a darker shade of brown,
Because you like your women Spanish, dark, strong and proud.
I paint the sky black,
You said if you could have your way,
You'd make a night time what a day,
So it suits the mood of your soul
Ohhh, what can I do?
Ohhhhh, what can I do?
Life is beautiful,
But you don't have a clue
Sun and ocean blue,
They're magnificent,
It don't make sense to you
Black beauty
Ohhh oh oh
Black beauty
Ohhh oh
I paint the house black,
My wedding dress black leather, too.
You have no room for light,
Love is lost on you.
I keep my lips red,
They seem like cherries in the spring.
Darling, you can't let everything seem so dark blue.
But, ohhh
What can I do,
To turn you on,
Or get through you?
Ohhh, what can I do?
Life is beautiful,
But you don't have a clue.
Sun and ocean blue,
They're magnificent,
It don't make sense to you.
Black beauty,
Ohhhh
Black beauty,
Ohhhh
Black beauty,
Ohhhh
Black beauty,
Ohhhh
Black bea-u-uty,
Ohhhh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Black beauty baby
Black beauty baby
Ohhhh what can I do?
Life is beautiful,
But you don't have a clue
Sun and ocean blue,
They're magnificent,
It don't make sense to you
Black beauty,
Ohhhh
Black beauty,
Ohhhh
Black beauty,
Ohhhh
Black beauty,
Ohhhh
In "Black Beauty", Lana Del Rey is expressing her love for someone who only seems to appreciate darkness, depth, and melancholy. Through her lyrics, Lana describes how she has changed herself to fit her lover's ideal by painting her nails black, dying her hair darker, and of course, painting the sky black. The mention of Spain in the description of "your women" suggests that her lover possibly has a preference for exoticism as well, which further motivates Lana to change the way she looks.
The second verse continues with the theme of darkness and mournfulness, as Lana describes how she has turned everything black just to indulge her lover's taste. Even her wedding dress and lips are now black, as the idea of love seems to have lost all meaning for the both of them. Despite all this, Lana remains in love with this person but questions what she can do to make them happy.
Overall, the song provides a melancholic portrayal of a relationship in which both parties seem to be lost in their own darkness and can no longer connect over simple beauties such as the sun and ocean.
Line by Line Meaning
I paint my nails black
I present myself in a way that reflects my inner feelings of sadness and darkness.
I dye my hair a darker shade of brown, Because you like your women Spanish, dark, strong and proud.
I am changing myself to fit your ideal of beauty and strength, based on your preferences for darkness and cultural identity.
I paint the sky black, You said if you could have your way, You'd make a night time what a day, So it suits the mood of your soul
You have a desire to make everything around you, even the sky, darker and more melancholy to match your inner emotional state.
Ohhh, what can I do? Nothing, my sparrow blue
I am aware of your need for darkness and am unable to free myself from your controlling influence.
Life is beautiful, But you don't have a clue Sun and ocean blue, They're magnificent, It don't make sense to you
There is beauty all around us, but you are unable to appreciate it due to your fixation on darkness and melancholy.
I paint the house black, My wedding dress black leather, too. You have no room for light, Love is lost on you.
Everything in my life is affected by your need for darkness, and I feel as though I am unable to love you because of it.
I keep my lips red, They seem like cherries in the spring. Darling, you can't let everything seem so dark blue.
I try to maintain some sense of hope and vibrancy in my appearance, but you are unable to see the beauty in it.
But, ohhh What can I do, To turn you on, Or get through you?
I am unable to understand or reach you, and I feel helpless in trying to break through your fixation on darkness.
Black beauty, Ohhhh Black beauty, Ohhhh
Despite my attempts to bring light and hope into our relationship, darkness continues to win out.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY O'NEIL, ELIZABETH GRANT, RICK NOWELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind