The Meaning Behind The Song: High By The Beach by Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey’s single “High By The Beach,” released in 2015, is a moody and melancholic anthem about being left alone after a breakup. The song is familiar to fans of Del Rey’s work, as it expresses the same themes of longing, loss, and fear that define her music. But what is the meaning behind the song, and how did it come to be?
The Emotional Landscape of High By The Beach
Lana Del Rey is a master of creating a moody and atmospheric soundscape for her listeners, and “High By The Beach” is a perfect example of this talent. The song features sparse instrumentation, with a simple beat and a repeating melody that builds in intensity over the course of the track.
The lyrics of “High By The Beach” focus on the pain of being left behind after a breakup. Del Rey describes herself as being “up in the clouds” before being brought back down to earth by the loss of her lover. She sings about feeling “trapped” and “lonesome,” and about her desire to escape her pain through drugs and alcohol.
As the song progresses, the melody becomes more frenzied and intense, reflecting Del Rey’s emotional state. She sings about wanting to “get high” and “escape” her pain, and ultimately resolves to “take the waves” and move on from her heartbreak.
The Personal Context of High By The Beach
While Del Rey’s music is often shrouded in a veil of mystery and enigma, she has spoken publicly about the personal experiences that inspired “High By The Beach.” In a 2015 interview with The Fader, Del Rey discussed the song’s genesis.
“I had written that song on piano for this guy who was such a genius,” Del Rey said. “And then he was like, ‘I’m going to the beach,’ and I was like, ‘Why?’ and he was like, ‘I just want to get away from everything.'”
Del Rey elaborated on the emotional subtext of the song, saying that it was about “feeling like you’re surrendered to drugs, but… also like you’re okay with that, and you’re trying to run from something that you can’t get away from.”
The Legacy of High By The Beach
“High By The Beach” was both a critical and commercial success upon its release. The song debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 13 weeks on the chart. Its moody, atmospheric sound and confessional lyrics resonated with fans of Del Rey’s music, and it remains a fan favorite to this day.
In addition to its success on the charts, “High By The Beach” also cemented Del Rey’s status as a master of mood and atmosphere. The song’s eerie, creeping melody and sparse instrumentation became hallmarks of her sound, and many of her subsequent releases have leaned heavily on these elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Theme of High By The Beach?
The theme of “High By The Beach” is loss and heartbreak. At its core, the song is about the pain of being left behind by a lover, the desperate attempt to escape that pain through drugs and alcohol, and the eventual realization that one has to face their demons head-on.
What Inspired Lana Del Rey to Write High By The Beach?
According to Del Rey, the song was inspired by a personal experience. She wrote the song on piano for a man she was seeing at the time, who said he was going to the beach to escape from everything. Del Rey said that the song was about “feeling like you’re surrendered to drugs, but… also like you’re okay with that, and you’re trying to run from something that you can’t get away from.”
Why Is High By The Beach So Popular?
“High By The Beach” is a fan favorite because it effectively captures the emotional landscape of heartbreak. The song’s melancholic lyrics and haunting melody resonate with fans of Del Rey’s music, and it is often cited as one of her most visceral and emotional tracks.
What Is The Mood of High By The Beach?
The mood of “High By The Beach” is melancholic, moody, and introspective. The song’s sparse instrumentation and repetitive melody create an eerie, haunting soundscape that effectively captures the sense of loss and heartbreak that Del Rey is expressing.
What Is The Significance of the Song Title High By The Beach?
The title “High By The Beach” refers to the idea of using drugs and alcohol as a means of escape. Del Rey sings about wanting to get high and escape her pain, and the beach serves as a metaphor for a place where one can feel free and unburdened.
What Other Songs Are Similar To High By The Beach?
“High By The Beach” is part of a larger body of work by Lana Del Rey that explores themes of loss, heartbreak, and emotional pain. Other songs in this vein include “Video Games,” “Summertime Sadness,” and “Born To Die.”
Is High By The Beach Based on a True Story?
While the specific details of “High By The Beach” may not be based on real events, the song’s emotional landscape is drawn from personal experiences. Del Rey has stated that the song was written for a man she was seeing at the time, and that the lyrics are about “feeling like you’re surrendered to drugs, but… also like you’re okay with that, and you’re trying to run from something that you can’t get away from.”
What Is The Overall Message of High By The Beach?
At its core, “High By The Beach” is about the pain of heartbreak and the attempt to escape that pain through drugs and alcohol. The song ultimately resolves to face the pain head-on and move on, but it acknowledges the difficulty of this process.
What Is The Instrumentation on High By The Beach?
“High By The Beach” features sparse instrumentation, with a simple drumbeat and a repeating synth melody. The song’s sound is stripped-down and atmospheric, adding to the sense of introspection and moodiness that Del Rey is conveying.
Who Has Covered High By The Beach?
While “High By The Beach” has not been covered by many artists, it has been remixed by several DJs and producers. Notable remixes of the song include those by Oliver Nelson and Kaskade.
What Is The Critical Reception of High By The Beach?
“High By The Beach” was generally well-received by critics, who praised its moody sound and introspective lyrics. The song was praised for its effective capture of the emotional landscape of heartbreak and its eerie, haunting atmosphere.
