Released: 2017
Zara Larsson’s “Lush Life” is an upbeat pop anthem that encapsulates the intoxicating blend of youth, freedom, and fleeting relationships, embodying the essence of living life in the moment and using a heartbreak as a launching point towards self-discovery. It conveys the sweet summer vibe of insouciance and exhilarating liberation.
The first couple of verses set the scene, “I live my day as if it was the last / Live my day as if there was no past / Doin’ it all night, all summer.” Here, Zara is expressing a philosophy of carpe diem, the idea of seizing the day, living uninhibitedly in the moment, and dismissing the past. This sentiment is amplified by the repeated phrase “Doin’ it all night, all summer,” suggesting a non-stop party atmosphere that’s a staple of summer youth culture.
Moving on, “It was a crush / But I couldn’t, couldn’t get enough / It was a rush / But I gave it a…” Zara seems to refer to a fling that she had during this endless summer. Relationships forged under the sizzling summer sun often have an ephemeral nature — like a crush, they’re intense, exciting, addicting, but ultimately fleeting. The words “It was a rush / But I gave it a,” suggest she cut it off, showing maturity and self-awareness.
In the lines “I kept sayin’ I’ma stay in touch / But that thing went bust / So I gave it a, ooh / No tricks, no bluff / I’m just better off without them cuffs,” found in the second verse, Larsson paints a more nuanced picture of her summer fling. The phrase “went bust” is a colloquialism for failed/failure, indicating that despite her optimism, the relationship fell apart. The following lines, “no tricks, no bluff / I’m just better off without them cuffs” seemingly refers to the freeing realization that she’s better off unattached, scrapping unnecessary emotional baggage and restraints.
“Now I’ve found another crush / The lush life’s given me a rush / Had one chance to make me blush / Second time is one too late,” hints that Zara is swiftly moving on to another infatuation, a testament to the fleeting, revolving door nature of summer romances. “Lush life” here could reference both the richness of experiences she’s having and the lushness of youth itself. It’s a shoutout to the fact that life doesn’t pause for heartbreak; it continues lush, full, and teeming with new possibilities.
Ultimately, Zara Larsson’s “Lush Life” celebrates the ephemeral yet impactful nature of these relationships, echoing the spectacle of a lush, summer-burst season that, while temporary, leaves a lasting mark. It’s a track that embraces youth, heartbreak, and personal growth in equal, resonant measures.
