I recently discovered Lana Del Rey’s “Say Yes To Heaven and quickly became obsessed. I was eating lunch with some family at a Shake Shack in Redlands Ca when it came on over the sound system. Her haunting voice immediately captivated me and I asked someone what waas playing. A few people told me and I couldn’t believe I never heard this before as I am an avid music fan.
As soon as I got home I downloaded the song from Apple Music and probably listened to it a hundred times by now. I love her voice and the perfect musical arrangement. The sound is so airy and almost other worldly. Through the app I read the lyrics and was even more star struck. The song is almost a ballad and definitely tells a story in a mysterious manner.
I had to learn more and began scouring the internet – only to find the most absurd and ridiculous interpretations by AIs as well as what I assume are humans.
“A submissive woman yearning for love? A religious narrator begging for the return of her lover? An adult-minor relation? WHAT?
‘ These could not be further from what I believe this song is about.
The very first line sets the tone:
If you dance, I’ll dance And if you don’t, I’ll dance anyway
She’s saying if you want to connect with me then I’m willing, but if you don’t I’m fine with it. This is hardly a submissive woman!
Say yes to heaven. Say yes to me
Heaven in this context is nowhere near religious. She’s promising him paradise if he joins her.
If you go, I’ll stay
If you go I’ll stay. You come back, I’ll be right here
Same statement – go if you want but I’m here if you want. There is certainly no pleading or begging here.
If you dance, I’ll dance. I’ll put my red dress on, get it on
You want to make love then I’m ready.