Off to the Races Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Catriiiiona 

Cover art for Off to the Races lyrics by Lana Del Rey

This whole song is about the book and film Lana Del Rey claims she loves: Lolita. If you watch the film it will all make sense and it's a pet peeve of mine people that claim they love this song without having any idea what its about and just thinking it's another love story. It's more than that as in this song Lana sings as if she is Lolita even from her voice which she makes very child like throughout, even the words are sung from the perspective of a child such as the bit where she almost breaks down about her feelings and sings

"My old man is a thief, and I'm gonna stay and pray with him till the end But I trust in the decision of the LORD, To watch over us Take him when he may, if he may I'm not afraid to say That I'd die without him Who else is gonna put up with me this way I need you, I breathe you, I'D never leave you They would rue the day, I was alone without you

You're lying with your gold chain on Cigar hanging from your lips I said hon' you never looked so beautiful As you do now my man

This bit is very childlike as if she is throwing down all her feelings like she's probbably heard about in the movies and its all very desperate like you get over your first love and you think it will never end. It also highlights how much older Lolita (Lana Del Rey) thinks she is by saying all this.

Absolutely love.

My Interpretation