Lana Del Rey: Off to the Races Meaning

Song Released: 2011

Off to the Races Lyrics

My old man is a bad man
But I can't deny the way he holds my hand
And he grabs me, he has me by my heart
He doesn't mind I have a Las Vegas past
He doesn't mind I have a L.A crass way about me
He loves with every beat of his cocaine...

1. anonymous

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   Jan 6th 2013 !⃝

   I think this bit:
   'Now I'm off to the races, laces
   Leather on my waist is,
   Tight and I am falling down
   I can see your faces, shameless
   Cipriani's basement
   Love you, but I'm going down
   
   God I'm so crazy, baby
   I'm sorry that I'm misbehaving
   I'm your little harlet, starlet
   Queen of Coney Island
   Raising hell all over town
   I'm sorry 'bout it'
   
   means that he might hurt/kill her eventually because she's 'raising hell all over town' and 'misbehaving' and she's trying to reassure him that she's still what he wants and that she's sorry
2. anonymous

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   Dec 9th 2012 !⃝

   Am I the only one who thought this was about incest?
3. anonymous

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   Nov 23rd 2012 !⃝

   ^^^^ wrong.
   
   that is simply one lyric from the entire song. All of the lyrics are about the movie/book 'Lolita. So, no, not all of the people above are wrong.
4. anonymous

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   Sep 17th 2012 !⃝

   You're all wrong. It's a metaphor for her addiction to alcohol. The line "kiss me on my open mouth" is a metaphor of bringing the bottle of liquor to her lips to drink it. Lana Del Rey spoke in an interview with GQ magazine stating, most of her music that speaks of love is really about alcohol and her addiction because alcohol was the first love of her life
5. anonymous

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   Sep 7th 2012 !⃝

   This song reeks the story of "Lolita"light of my life fire of my loins is from the book. Lana is rich with her lyrics. Supertalented!!
6. anonymous

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   Jun 4th 2012 !⃝

   It`s about beign lost and found by something/one and hoping for love. You are willing to give everything (your body) in exchange for love and a life.
   
   It is tragic and beautiful.
   It is insane and crazy, but peacefull...
   
   It is breathtaking but hopefull...
   
   a masterpiece
7. anonymous

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   May 15th 2012 !⃝

   It's about the book Lolita.
8. anonymous

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   May 9th 2012 !⃝

   It is about a younger girl who is probably a drug addict herself who feels unlovable, she references a "tar black soul" and her relationship with an older man who provides her with things in exchange for sex. He is an addict/abusive himself but they are dependent on each other? "my old mn is a bad man but I can't deny the way he holds my hand.". So even though she may want out she realizes she needs him and he is the only person who will love her. He is also kind of taking advantage of her "he knows I'm facing time again at rivers island.". Excellent song, good story.
9. theduckman

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   Apr 23rd 2012 !⃝

   This 'troubled girl' meets an wealthy older man (who could easily be the same age as her father) who offers money etc. (though he is both abusive and an addict 'cocaine heart') in exchange for sexual favors as well as admiring her body.
   
   When I first heard the song, I thought it was about a troubled girl who had a sexually abusive relationship with her own father though the other meaning seems more logical.
10. anonymous

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    Mar 19th 2012 !⃝

    A troubled girl saved by a sugar daddy He is an addict and abusive, but still loves her body and offers her a brilliant lifestyle in return for sex
11. anonymous

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    Mar 17th 2012 !⃝

    i think this song is about Satan.
12. anonymous

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    Mar 2nd 2012 !⃝

    Omg! My favorite song on the album. Yes, the song is all about a small-town troubled girl meeting a wealthy, smart man who spoils her. "Gimme them gold coins..." This line from the song proves that she wants the man's money and loves the pampering and love (money) she is giving her.
    
    "Off To The Races" is a saying meaning "Ready for the fun/excitement"... She sees her future with this guy as a fun and spontaneous one!

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