I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Blue jeans, white shirt
Walked into the room, you know you made my eyes burn
It was like James Dean, for sure
You're so fresh to death and sick as ca-cancer
You were sorta punk rock, I grew up on hip hop
But you fit me better than my favorite sweater, and I know
That love is mean (oh oh) and love hurts (oh oh)
But I still remember that day we met in December, oh baby
I will love you 'til the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby, can you see through the tears?
Love you more
Than those bitches before
Say you'll remember (oh baby) say you'll remember, oh baby ooh
I will love you 'til the end of time
Big dreams, gangsta
Said you had to leave to start your life over
I was like, "No please, stay here"
We don't need no money, we can make it all work
But he headed out on Sunday, said he'd come home Monday
I stayed up waitin', anticipatin' and pacin' but he was
Chasing (oh oh) paper (oh oh)
Caught up in the game, that was the last I heard
I will love you 'til the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby, can you see through the tears?
Love you more
Than those bitches before
Say you'll remember (oh baby) say you'll remember, oh baby ooh
I will love you 'til the end of time
You went out every night
And baby that's alright
I told you that no matter what you did, I'd be by your side
'Cause I'ma ride or die
Whether you fail or fly
Well, shit, at least you tried
But when you walked out that door, a piece of me died
Told you I wanted more, that's not what I had in mind
Just want it like before
We were dancin' all night
Then they took you away, stole you out of my life
You just need to remember
I will love you 'til the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby, can you see through the tears?
Love you more
Than those bitches before
Say you'll remember (oh baby) say you'll remember, oh baby ooh
I will love you 'til the end of time
Walked into the room, you know you made my eyes burn
It was like James Dean, for sure
You're so fresh to death and sick as ca-cancer
You were sorta punk rock, I grew up on hip hop
But you fit me better than my favorite sweater, and I know
That love is mean (oh oh) and love hurts (oh oh)
But I still remember that day we met in December, oh baby
I will love you 'til the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby, can you see through the tears?
Love you more
Than those bitches before
Say you'll remember (oh baby) say you'll remember, oh baby ooh
I will love you 'til the end of time
Big dreams, gangsta
Said you had to leave to start your life over
I was like, "No please, stay here"
We don't need no money, we can make it all work
But he headed out on Sunday, said he'd come home Monday
I stayed up waitin', anticipatin' and pacin' but he was
Chasing (oh oh) paper (oh oh)
Caught up in the game, that was the last I heard
I will love you 'til the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby, can you see through the tears?
Love you more
Than those bitches before
Say you'll remember (oh baby) say you'll remember, oh baby ooh
I will love you 'til the end of time
You went out every night
And baby that's alright
I told you that no matter what you did, I'd be by your side
'Cause I'ma ride or die
Whether you fail or fly
Well, shit, at least you tried
But when you walked out that door, a piece of me died
Told you I wanted more, that's not what I had in mind
Just want it like before
We were dancin' all night
Then they took you away, stole you out of my life
You just need to remember
I will love you 'til the end of time
I would wait a million years
Promise you'll remember that you're mine
Baby, can you see through the tears?
Love you more
Than those bitches before
Say you'll remember (oh baby) say you'll remember, oh baby ooh
I will love you 'til the end of time
Lyrics submitted by maurothompson, edited by irisme, carlosvinicius
Blue Jeans Lyrics as written by Elizabeth Woolridge Grant Emile Haynie
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
To me this is a song about how she is in love with a guy and wants to make a life with him. The guy feels like he needs to get money in order for them to have a "life", a house, a car, kids and the American Dream. In his haste he turns to drug dealing for easy money and winds up getting chewed up and spit out by the game. In the end all she wanted was him, he was always enough, but he was convinced she would only be happy if they lived the good life, the rich life. He pays the price by being taken away to prison and she has to wait for him. She wants him to know that even though he has fucked up, she still loves him and longs for the simple love they once shared.
In other words, you're saying he's a fool and he has judged her unfairly. Hmmmmmmmm
I'm saying that he feels these invisible pressures that exist in American society. More and more people are putting off getting married or having kids until everything is just right. Until they have the money, until they have the house, until they have everything. He feels those pressures and takes a risk to go make some quick money so they can have a life together. <br /> <br /> The reality is, he didn't need to go get money for them to have a life together. That wasn't the life she necessarily wanted. She was willing to make it work with whatever they had.
There is no line that would make one believe that it was drugs, except gangster, which is much more general. There is really no line that says he went to prison, which two people have suggested. He disappeared after one day. So... maybe he was just ditching her? Maybe prison? Maybe he got rich and never came back? We don't know, the song's protagonist doesn't know.<br /> <br /> The rest of this I agree with. <br /> <br /> I wish the line wasn't "I'll wait a million years" but was, "Probably a million years." Some people I know think it is. <br /> <br /> I will love you till the end of time<br /> probably a million years.<br /> <br /> fits the naive/flippant LDR character. imo
squander: "Then they took you away - stole you out of my life" suggests that he was sent to prison.
squander... you are very naive if you don't think this song is about drugs. perfect interpretation DrMndBndr
@DrMndBndr Perfect interpretation. I definitely wasn't sure what he was leaving her for but now I feel dumb for not realizing it was drugs. I was picturing mobsters for some reason haha.
Blue jeans, White shirt Walked into the room you know you made my eyes burn
It was like James Dean, for sure You so fresh to death & sick as ca-cancer
Big dreams, gangster Said you had to leave to start your life over I was like: "no please, stay here," We don't need no money we can make it all work But he headed out on Sunday, said he'd come home Monday I stayed up waitin', anticipatin' and pacin' but he was Chasing paper "Caught up in the game" that was the last I heard
You went out every night And baby that's alright I told you that no matter what you did I'd be by your side Cause Ima ride or die Whether you fail or fly Well shit, at least you tried.
But when you walked out that door, a piece of me died I told you I wanted more-but that not what I had in mind
I just want it like before We were dancin' all night
Then they took you away- stole you out of my life
Will love you till the end of time I would wait a million years
"Past experience is an indicator of future behavior" ~Dr. Phil What I would give to have him be incorrect, but he's not. Every pivotol moment the same decision was made, which led to nowhere, if that makes any sense.
So what you're also saying is that people don't change. THAT is not true.
Hi, by the way. :)
Some can't, even when you believe they truly want to. We've discussed hurdles.
Regardless, change is inevitable. Not easy, but inevitable.
I think evolve would be a more fitting term. People are always changing but staying the exact same if that makes sense. Some people lack the ability, aptitude, strength or whatever it is that prevents them from evolution. Because while we evolve were moving in a direction that will eveutally come full circle as we progress through life. Hopefully, once complete we'll be at the end of oru journey and destination:)
R U gonna walk down my Seattle street, Bella? You didn't all the times you had the chance. You intentionally made a walk impossible. So what's gonna be different this time. Nothing. You are incredible in so many ways, but not that one.
Typical. The words come easy, but when they don't there is silence. That's not evolution.
Um. lol. Housework is inevitable also. Sorry.
Yeah. I understand those years of housework that kept you busy.
What are you talking about? You gonna come clean for me? Sounds good! I got the little maid outfit ready. ;)
"This is not a "negative," as one commentator suggested."<br /> <br /> Excuse me, I said it had "negative undertones", which means something different.<br /> <br /> Are you saying metaphors that involve references to cancer, burning and death are completely positive? Or don't show contain sort of negative undertone, that is separate from their surface-level meaning? <br /> <br /> "Also, this is not a negative, either. In hip-hop slang, "sick" is the same thing as saying "dope" or "ill." It means that person/thing is cool/awesome."<br /> <br /> Of course "sick" is slang, that's incredibly obvious, we're not all from the 18th century. She linked it back to cancer because she's being ironic, and is probably commenting on the origin of the word. She does the same thing with "fresh to death", which is pretty paradoxical. <br /> <br /> All her compliments on him use imagery that is negative, but is reshaped into something positive. Which points to the fact that there is underlying negativity, on at least a subconscious level.<br /> <br /> Your interpretation of these lyrics are incredibly shallow. Even though I'm not a fan of Lana Del Rey, I understand that her lyrics aren't just "hip" ways of expressing that "you are the best, you're awesome!" and nothing more.
Ethanescence; yet your interpretation was reading way to far into the lines. <br /> to each it's own.
Okay so my friend knows Lana and was pretty close to her.<br /> <br /> "Big dreams, gangster<br /> Said you had to leave to start your life over<br /> I was like: "no please, stay here,"<br /> We don't need no money we can make it all work" <br /> <br /> The song is legitimately about this guy she was in love with, the dudes name is Rob. He was into heroine or something (dealing it/using it) and one day he traveled to Alaska for some reason or another.<br /> <br /> "But he headed out on Sunday, said he'd come home Monday<br /> I stayed up waitin', anticipatin' and pacin' but he was<br /> Chasing paper<br /> Caught up in the game" that was the last I heard"<br /> <br /> Caught up in the heroine game that is. While the guy was there in Alaksa he overdosed. The news spread to all his friends but after a day or two Lana still had no idea and MY friend was the one who found out and called Lana on the phone to tell her the news. Lana then wrote the song sometime between then and January 15 when she performed it live for the first time on Saturday Night Live (She was pretty messed up with alcohol and what not thats why the performance was so ehh.) <br /> <br /> "You went out every night<br /> And baby that's alright<br /> I told you that no matter what you did I'd be by your side<br /> Cause Ima ride or die<br /> Whether you fail or fly<br /> Well shit, at least you tried."<br /> <br /> At least he tried right?<br /> <br />
The name "James Dean" is an acronym here but definetely it was a main character in the movie called "Heather's"(1988). The description fits the good guy becoming the bad guy as James Dean.
@earthgirl2 yes agree with all you said except I think she means he is probably dead because "that was the last I heard". Born to die sort of carries on that theme. If he was just in prison she'd be able to contact him. And the wait a million years suggests she sees it as an eternal love and she'll find him again
I've always thought this was about a girl whose boy ends up in prison. Denim is a fairly common standard for uniforms in state prisons, hence the blue jeans. "I would wait a million years" and "I''m a ride or die" says to me that she's waiting for him to come home. A lot of prison wives refer to themselves as ride or die chicks. It sounds like he leaves to pull off a big heist, maybe so they can get a bunch of money and start their lives over, but he gets caught and now she's waiting for him.
@misspanda nice reflections..this gives me even more questions! it could be a metaphorical prison..but I dont' think she's really referring to an actual guy in her songs..something more deep I guess but then again I might just be hopefully wishing.
First of all, interpretation means taking something and defining or deciding what it means to you, so nobody's interpretation is wrong..
I just wanted to throw that out there.
Okay, here goes my interpretation:
Blue jeans, white shirt Walked into the room you know you made my eyes burn It was like James Dean, for sure You so fresh to death & sick as ca-cancer You were sorta punk rock, I grew up on hip hop But you fit me better than my favorite sweater, and I know That love is mean, and love hurts But I still remember that day we met in December, oh baby!
I think here she is talking about that moment when you meet someone and you are so awestruck and infatuated that you are speechless and have that deer-caught-in-headlights look because you are so blown away by them. I think the difference in music tastes that she references is only to signify their differing backgrounds and then she goes on to say that it doesn't matter because they just "fit" together. And then she goes on to tell him that she will always love him and never stop, and that is only because he is the one for her.
Big dreams, gangster Said you had to leave to start your life over I was like: "no please, stay here," We don't need no money we can make it all work But he headed out on Sunday, said he'd come home Monday I stayed up waitin', anticipatin' and pacin' but he was Chasing paper "Caught up in the game" that was the last I heard
I think this is just about someone being a workaholic and maybe embezzling money from a company or doing things off the table. It doesn't necessarily mean drug-running or dealing. She says that she would rather be broke and with him than have all the money in the world and be a part from him. When she says that he left on Sunday and said he'd come back on Monday but doesn't show, just shows that he chose his career over her and he fell in love with money and an extravagent lifestyle.
You went out every night And baby that's alright I told you that no matter what you did I'd be by your side Cause Ima ride or die Whether you fail or fly Well shit, at least you tried. But when you walked out that door, a piece of me died I told you I wanted more-but that not what I had in mind I just want it like before We were dancin' all night Then they took you away- stole you out of my life You just need to remember
She says that he was going out and partying and messing around basically, and that she didn't care because their love was still her first priority and always would be no matter if he was successful or not and even if he tried and failed, she would stand by him. And then he leaves one last time to work it all out and it's the last time she sees him and then he ends up in jail because he couldn't make it work career-wise.
It kinda reminds me of the like.. 1950s gangster movies though.. I love it.
It does literally refer to drug running / dealing. Read my comment above :)
Okay so my friend knows Lana and was pretty close to her.
"Big dreams, gangster Said you had to leave to start your life over I was like: "no please, stay here," We don't need no money we can make it all work"
The song is legitimately about this guy she was in love with, the dudes name is Rob. He was into heroine or something (dealing it/using it) and one day he traveled to Alaska for some reason or another.
"But he headed out on Sunday, said he'd come home Monday I stayed up waitin', anticipatin' and pacin' but he was Chasing paper Caught up in the game" that was the last I heard"
Caught up in the heroine game that is. While the guy was there in Alaksa he overdosed. The news spread to all his friends but after a day or two Lana still had no idea and MY friend was the one who found out and called Lana on the phone to tell her the news. Lana then wrote the song sometime between then and January 15 when she performed it live for the first time on Saturday Night Live (She was pretty messed up with alcohol and what not thats why the performance was so ehh.)
"You went out every night And baby that's alright I told you that no matter what you did I'd be by your side Cause Ima ride or die Whether you fail or fly Well shit, at least you tried."
At least he tried right?
Hope some of you found this worth reading :)
Um, her performance on Saturday Night Live was of Video Games, this is Blue Jeans...
Lana Del Rey is AMAZING!!
Definitely one of my favourites from the album. I love all the different interpretations, too. Very insightful, guys. Never thought it could be jail he went. I just thought he got caught up in drugs/something illegal. "Chasing paper"- I don't think that has anything to do with going to college.
I think this song is about a girl and a guy who fell in love and their relationship started well but then he got involved in something not good. Maybe he was doing it to get money so that they could live a good life. The girl doesn't care though, she will love him no matter what he does. Really, she just wants to be with him and she doesn't really care about anything else.
I agree with the first comment. But maybe he didn't go to jail, I think he got caught up in the game and probably died. I would hope it was just jail though. She said "they took you away"
OR she could mean the "game" the life of making money took him away from her. He wasnt from the area but he wanted to be a "Gangster" so he was going out lookin for it. Drugs and money are a bad mixture and they can ruin a relationship, so maybe that took over his life. "They" took him away. Maybe it's like he doesnt even remember her being there anymore when he's on his high. So that's why she's askin him to "remember her" And even though he might not remember her, she will remember him. My favorite part is the "You were sorta Punk Rock I grew up on hip hop, but you fit me better than my favorite sweater" Which meant more of he was perfect for her.
@piecexo i think its clear that he died cos "that was the last I heard". He went out to do a job that was dangerous, that's why "a piece of me died" when he left and she "stayed up all night anticipating and pacing".
"Chasing Paper" is a probably euphemism for greed/always running after money (:
great observation