Lana Del Rey’s Southern-inspired era is officially here thanks to her track, “Bluebird.” Written by Lana and Luke Laird, the song showcases the singer as she finds strength and encourages her subject to spread their wings and fly out of a toxic environment. Lana’s lower register shines through as her simplistic lyrics ride over a pared-back acoustic guitar, harmonica, and signature stunning string arrangement.
In August 2024, the singer-songwriter announced that she’d be pivoting to storytellers’ favorite genre of country music. “We’re going country. It’s happening. That’s why Jack [Antonoff] has followed me to Muscle Shoals, Nashville, Mississippi, over the last four years,” she revealed during the Billboard x NMPA Songwriter Awards.
The record, which was originally due last September and titled Lasso, was renamed The Right Person Will Stay with a new release date of May 18...until she changed her mind. The album’s new title and release date are currently being kept under wraps, and according to Numéro, she has since pivoted from the country inspiration and is instead leaning toward a Southern Gothic aesthetic with Americana roots. Either way, we’re seated for some new Lana.
“Bluebird” comes before the Grammy nominee’s headlining gig at Stagecoach on April 25, where she’s still reportedly performing “a very special country set.” That date will also mark a year since she headlined Coachella on the same festival grounds in Indio, California. Before her return to the desert, she released “Tough” with Quavo and “Henry, Come On” on April 8.
“I’m so excited to see everybody in the desert in April!” LDR wrote on Instagram. “This has been such a crazy nine months and I’m so blessed that come the 25th, It will have been a year since I got to headline Coachella. Thank you to my buddies over there at the festival for letting me play my new songs this year for you – and to my amazing band helping me kick things off with rehearsals this week.”
That being said, now seems like as good a time as ever to learn Lana Del Rey’s “Bluebird” lyrics before she takes on Stagecoach. Maybe grab some tissues while we’re at it.
Lyrics provided by Genius.
[Verse]
Little bird, bluebird
Fly away for both of us
For you have wings and I’ve no means to fly
Little bird, bluebird
Find some strength inside my hand
Anything to let you sing goodbye
Bluebirds are known to symbolize hope, happiness, joy, and renewal. On the track, Lana likens her subject to this symbol and encourages them to leave an uncomfortable situation that she’s otherwise stuck in until she finds more strength. The subject could potentially be another version of herself, but it’s honestly open to interpretation.
[Pre-Chorus]
For your thoughts are small, they can’t keep you from leavin’
As the wake of my past crashes in
I hear the door slam, but the window’s wide open
We both shouldn’t be dealing with him
As the relationship meets its demise, there’s still hope and a world full of possibilities (i.e. the door slams, but the window’s wide open). She knows better than to stay in a dark situation, despite her past habits of doing so.
[Chorus]
Find a way to fly
Find a way to fly
Just shoot for the sun ’til I can finally run
Find a way to fly
[Instrumental Break]
[Pre-Chorus]
I’ve kept him at bay, but the horses are comin’
They’re racin’ their way ’round the bend
Your crash landing’s over, but the evening is hummin’
Don’t make me say it again
Lana’s managed to stay in the relationship, but the urge to leave comes back around like a stampede of horses. She’s still trying to find the strength to let herself out, and waiting for the moment she can “finally run.”
[Chorus]
[Outro]
Mhm
Mhm
Just shoot for the sun ’til I can finally run
Find a way to fly
