Bellevue
Lana Del Rey
The Loneliness of Unrequited Love
Lana Del Rey's song "Bellevue" delves into the themes of loneliness and unrequited love, painting a vivid picture of emotional desolation. The lyrics express a sense of abandonment and longing, as the narrator reflects on a past where they had no one and contemplates returning to that state. The repetition of "He doesn't want me around" underscores the feeling of rejection and the pain of being unwanted by someone they care about deeply.
The song's setting, Bellevue, is symbolic of isolation and perhaps a mental state of despair. Bellevue is often associated with a psychiatric hospital, which adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, suggesting that the narrator's emotional turmoil is akin to madness. The mention of "being a-lush again" and "tangos and tanqueray" evokes a sense of nostalgia for a time when the narrator could escape their pain through indulgence and distraction, hinting at a past filled with hedonism and self-destructive behavior.
Lana Del Rey's signature melancholic style is evident in the way she weaves themes of love, loss, and longing into her music. The line "I will wait for you for three hundred years" highlights the narrator's enduring hope and willingness to wait for a love that may never come. This song captures the essence of feeling invisible and unwanted, while also exploring the depths of emotional vulnerability and the lengths one might go to for love, even if it means losing oneself in the process.