Meaning and Lyrics of How to disappear by Lana Del Rey

Song Lyrics meaning of How to disappear by Lana Del Rey

About Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey, born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, has often been hailed as a conjuror of melancholic escapism. Cutting her teeth in the seedy shadows of the New York City music scene, she first emerged onto the cultural radar with her viral hit “Video Games” in 2011. That song, with its hauntingly cinematic quality, set the tone for her brooding yet glamorous persona. Lana’s discography spans multiple critically acclaimed albums, including her breakout, “Born to Die” (2012), and subsequent triumphs like “Ultraviolence” (2014), “Honeymoon” (2015), and “Norman f*****g Rockwell!” (2019). What makes her oeuvre compelling is its deft blend of vintage Americana with contemporary sensibilities, alongside lyrics that weave tales of doomed romance and existential musings. A bona fide auteur, Del Rey’s music often feels like a David Lynch film set to ethereal soundscapes. One such song that encapsulates her unique approach is “How to Disappear”. Featured on the “Norman f*****g Rockwell!” album, it’s a lush tapestry of strings and melancholia. In it, Lana croons about ephemeral love and inevitable departure, delivered with a vocal range that oscillates between wistful vulnerability and steely detachment. The song serves as a testament to her ability to convey complex emotional landscapes with minimalist yet evocative lyricism. Lana Del Rey has left an indelible mark on the contemporary music landscape, influencing a cadre of artists who admire her unflinching authenticity and evocative storytelling. Her journey from underground darling to mainstream enigma is a testament to her singular vision and enduring resonance.

Meaning of How to disappear by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey’s “How to disappear” from her critically acclaimed album *Norman f*****g Rockwell!* is a hauntingly nostalgic track rich with melancholia and introspection. The song artfully combines Del Rey’s signature ethereal production with lyrical storytelling that evokes a deep emotional resonance.

Verse 1 introduces us to a character named John, met “down on the boulevard.” This immediately sets the scene with Del Rey’s typical cinematic flair, immersing the listener in a world of urban desolation and personal turmoil. John is depicted as a shoulder to cry on, someone who witnesses Lana’s struggle as “the waves came in over my head.” The repetition of phrases like “All of the guys tell me lies, but you don’t,” underscores a rare authenticity in John amidst a backdrop of deceit and superficiality. The simple act of cracking a beer and “pretending you’re still here” serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of relationships and the coping mechanisms we adopt in the face of such ephemera.

Moving into the Chorus, the refrain “This is how to disappear” captures the essence of escapism. It’s a mantra of sorts, emphasizing a desire to retreat from pain and reality. In typical Del Rey fashion, it’s not just about physical disappearance but an emotional and psychological withdrawal; a method of dealing with the unbearable lightness of being.

Verse 2 shifts the narrative to Joe, a rugged figure encountered at the “training yard,” a place that symbolizes both physical and emotional combat. Joe’s battle scars (“Cuts on his face ’cause he fought too hard”) speak to a life of struggle and resilience, perhaps mirroring Del Rey’s own conflicts with fame and artistry. There’s a raw, almost destructive love expressed in the lines “But I love that man like nobody can. He moves mountains and pounds them to ground again.” This illustrates a hero-worship of sorts, a recognition of Joe’s Herculean efforts against life’s adversities—a theme recurrent in Del Rey’s discography. The verse concludes with a harrowing image of “guys getting high as they fight”—a tragic juxtaposition of self-destruction and desperate valor.

The Guitar Solo that follows provides a moment of instrumental introspection. It’s a bridging point where words give way to music, allowing the listener to absorb the weight of the narrative so far.

In Verse 3, the passage of time is starkly apparent. Lana reflects on years spent away from New York, now living a seemingly placid life in California, complete with “a kid and two cats in the yard.” This image starkly contrasts with the earlier verses, yet it continues the theme of disappearance—this time, the disappearance into domestic tranquility and solitude. “The California sun and the movie stars” offer a backdrop of artificial glitz, juxtaposed with her more sincere introspection. The serene act of watching the skies lighten as she writes adds a layer of poetic beauty to her mundane reality, a subtle nod to finding solace and purpose in creative expression. The whispering into a presumed lover’s ear suggests an intimate connection that persists despite the passage of time and distance.

The Outro—“I’m always going to be right here, no one’s going anywhere”—closes the song on a note of eternal commitment. It’s a contradictory endnote considering the pervasive theme of disappearance. It’s as if Lana is promising constancy in a world of impermanence, a beacon of stability in the fog of transience.

Musically, “How to disappear” exemplifies Del Rey’s skill in blending sparse instrumentation with lush, haunting melodies. The song’s arrangement—featuring subtle orchestral flourishes and subdued percussion—complements her languid vocal delivery, creating an atmosphere where each lyric reverberates with emotional depth.

In conclusion, “How to disappear” is a masterclass in narrative songwriting, offering a contemplative exploration of love, loss, and the art of vanishing from one’s own life. Del Rey’s nuanced lyricism and evocative melodies make this track a standout in her rich catalog, cementing her role as a modern-day poet of melancholia.

Lyrics of How to disappear by Lana Del Rey

Verse 1
John met me down on the boulevard
Cry on his shoulder 'cause life is hard
The waves came in over my head
What you been up to, my baby?
Haven't seen you 'round here lately
All of the guys tell me lies, but you don't
You just crack another beer
And pretend that you're still here

Chorus
This is how to disappear
This is how to disappear

Verse 2
Joe met me down at the training yard
Cuts on his face 'cause he fought too hard
I know he's in over his head
But I love that man like nobody can
He moves mountains and pounds them to ground again
I watched the guys getting high as they fight
For the things that they hold dear
To forget the things they fear

Chorus
This is how to disappear
This is how to disappear

Guitar Solo

Verse 3
Now it's been years since I left New York
I've got a kid and two cats in the yard
The California sun and the movie stars
I watch the skies getting light as I write
As I think about those years
As I whisper in your ear

Outro
I'm always going to be right here
No one's going anywhere

Discography Lana Del Rey

Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd

Release: 2023-03-24
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
1. The Grants
2. Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd
3. Sweet
4. A&W
5. Judah Smith Interlude
6. Candy Necklace (feat. Jon Batiste)
7. Jon Batiste Interlude
8. Kintsugi
9. Fingertips
10. Paris, Texas (feat. SYML)
11. Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing (feat. RIOPY)
12. Let The Light In (feat. Father John Misty)
13. Margaret (feat. Bleachers)
14. Fishtail
15. Peppers (feat. Tommy Genesis)
16. Taco Truck x VB
Tracklist Collapse

Blue Banisters

Release: 2021-10-22
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
1. Text Book
2. Blue Banisters
3. Arcadia
4. Interlude – The Trio
5. Black Bathing Suit
6. If You Lie Down With Me
7. Beautiful
8. Violets for Roses
9. Dealer
10. Thunder
11. Wildflower Wildfire
12. Nectar Of The Gods
13. Living Legend
14. Cherry Blossom
15. Sweet Carolina
Tracklist Collapse

Chemtrails Over The Country Club

Release: 2021-03-19
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
1. White Dress
2. Chemtrails Over The Country Club
3. Tulsa Jesus Freak
4. Let Me Love You Like A Woman
5. Wild At Heart
6. Dark But Just A Game
7. Not All Who Wander Are Lost
8. Yosemite
9. Breaking Up Slowly
10. Dance Till We Die
11. For Free
Tracklist Collapse

Upcoming Events for Lana Del Rey

LANA DEL REY NIGHT - 2024-07-20

Price Range: $12 – 12 USD
Location: Strummer’s, Fresno

An Orchestral Rendition of Lana Del Rey - 2024-07-24

Price Range: $Price not available
Location: The Steelyard, London

An Orchestral Rendition of Lana Del Rey - 2024-07-24

Price Range: $Price not available
Location: The Steelyard, London
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stream How to disappear on your favorite platform

Identify any song playing in your browser. Free.

Share How to disappear Song Meaning with your friends

or discover new music

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x