Lana Del Rey’s “Arcadia” Lyrics Meaning

This is, at least in part, a go-west song – a category which it seems we haven’t come across in a while. That is to say that “Arcadia” reads like one of those pieces that idealizes living in California, more specifically a city within Los Angeles called Arcadia, from the perspective of someone who at least initially resided out east.

The outro implies that, after suffering some type of major persecution and/or misfortune where she currently resides, the vocalist is now “western bound”, on her way to Arcadia. But of course in real life we know that, with Lana Del Rey being an established music star in all, she’s already been resident in L.A. for nearly a decade now. 

And the earlier parts of the song come off as such, i.e. Lana having resided in the City of Angels for so long that now its very geography is part of her being. And to get that point across, she uses what in some cases reads like sensual terminology. However, it does appear that she is not addressing a lover but rather speaking to the city itself.

“America”

However there is something deeper going on also, as the vocalist mentions “America” a few times throughout. And as presented especially in the outro, it’s a country which we can deem is less than ideal in Del Rey’s eyes. 

That is not to say that Lana actually wants to bounce altogether. Rather making her way to Arcadia may prove, ideologically, to be the solution to her own personal woes and national misgivings. Or let’s say by the looks of things, that city and Los Angeles in general has proven to be the vocalist’s refuge.

Well, analyzing Lana Del Rey songs is seldom an easy task. In this case, what she is putting forth is more or less discernible. However, what is confusing is how through most of the song she depicts herself as a tenured resident of Los Angeles but in the outro as someone who hasn’t made it there yet. 

But maybe, going out on a LIMB, what this narrative appears to center on is Lana already living in L.A. and then subsequently deciding to reside in Arcadia in particular. But conclusively this piece can be deemed, in its own special way, as one of those songs based on how living in Los Angeles, i.e. the center of the American entertainment industry, has influenced the vocalist’s life.

“Arcadia” Might Not Be a Physical Place?

Reading in between the lines of this song (as well as the analysis and facts above), some readers may have been able to piece together that Lana is not literally talking about the city of Arcadia per se. 

For instance, if such were the case, the lyrics wouldn’t really make sense. Why? This is because the songstress has the resources to go there whenever she wants and do as she pleases (i.e. purchasing a couple of homes to reside therein). 

Instead it has been ascertained, Lana being who she is, that Arcadia, as presented, represents an ideology. Yes, as indicated in the first verse she may chill there literally from time to time, i.e. at the Hilton Garden Inn Arcadia for instance. 

But what she is more pointedly alluding to, as revealed in the outro, is a concept like getting away from the anxieties of American society. Indeed putting her money where her mouth is, shortly after this song was released Del Rey proceeded to announce that she is forsaking social media, at least as far as her own personal accounts are concerned.

Facts about “Arcadia”

As issued by Polydor Records on the date of 8 September 2021, Arcadia marks the fourth single released in advance of Blue Banisters, which, as scheduled, will become the second album Lana Del Rey has come out with this year. 

The first was Chemtrails Over the Country Club, a project that went on to top the UK Albums Chart and reached number 2 on the Billboard 200.

In addition to singing Arcadia, Lana Del Rey also co-wrote and co-produced the song as well as directed its music video. And the other writer/producer of the audio is Drew Erickson.

The first time Lana Del Rey teased this song was in July of 2021.

Does Lana Del Rey actually live in Arcadia?

According to the internet, Lana a few homes in Los Angeles, including a ranch in Echo Park and a couple of mansions in Hollywood Hills. However, it does not appear she actually lives in Arcadia.