Meaning of Bartender by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey's song 'Bartender' takes us on a journey through the complex world of love and desire. The overall theme of the song centers around the pursuit of love and the lengths we go to keep it alive. Del Rey explores the relationship between love and identity, using clever and poetic lyrics to convey her message.One standout lyric from the song is, "The poetry inside of me is warm like a gun." This line suggests that the expression of love can be powerful and intense, much like a loaded gun. It sets the stage for the deeper exploration of the themes in the song. Here, the theme of passion is introduced, highlighting the impact love can have on us.Another important lyric is, "I bought me a truck in the middle of the night, It'll buy me a year if I play my cards right." This line alludes to the idea that love can be a transaction. It hints at the lengths people may go to secure love, even if it means materialistic acquisitions. The theme of materialism in love is explored, showing how some may believe that possessions can maintain and preserve their relationships.The line, "Playing games of levitation, Meditating in the garden," portrays a contrasting theme of escapism. Del Rey suggests that in the pursuit of love, people often engage in activities that transport them to another realm of existence. The levitation and meditation mentioned here symbolize a desire to escape reality and find solace in love. It highlights the theme of seeking refuge in love and using it as a means to transcend the mundane.Del Rey further explores the theme of identity in love with the lyric, "But that cherry coke you serve is fine, And our love's sweet enough on the vine." This line symbolizes the importance of authenticity and how love can bring out the true essence of oneself. It suggests that love should be pure and natural, just like a cherry coke served on the vine. The theme of self-discovery and embracing one's true self is highlighted here.The usage of the term "Botched tender" is an interesting twist in the song. It introduces a subversion of expectations and adds a layer of complexity to the themes being explored. The idea of a 'botched tender' can be seen as a metaphor for unsuccessful attempts at love. It further develops the theme of love's fragility, suggesting that even the most carefully crafted gestures can sometimes fall short.In conclusion, 'Bartender' by Lana Del Rey delves into various themes related to love and desire. Through poetic lyrics and imaginative storytelling, Del Rey explores passion, materialism, escapism, identity in love, and the vulnerability of romantic pursuits. These unexpected and imaginative themes all tie back to the overarching theme of the song - the eternal quest to keep love alive.