Released: 2017
Lana Del Rey’s “White Mustang” is a mesmerizing harmony that intertwines themes of fleeting summer romance, unrequited love, and the intoxicating allure of a wild, yet dangerous affection. It’s a narrative wrapped in the metaphor of a white Mustang, symbolizing a love that’s both beautiful and potentially destructive. Del Rey masterfully weaves a story of a romance that’s as passionate as it is doomed from the start, using imagery and symbolism that pulls you into the heartache and longing of the song.
The song begins with a tone of regret and melancholy, as Lana recalls packing up for the summer and realizing she “didn’t call when I got your number”, a line that immediately sets the mood for a summer love that could have been but wasn’t. The mention of a “white Mustang” isn’t just about the car itself; it’s emblematic of the person she’s fallen for—exciting, untamed, and unreachable. The repeated lines, “The day I saw your white Mustang, Your white Mustang”, evoke a sense of both admiration and despair, highlighting the moment she falls for someone she knows deep down will never stay.
As the song progresses, Lana describes slipping into a dress with “soft filters”—likely a metaphor for trying to see the relationship in a better light than it is. The line “Everybody said you’re a killer, but I couldn’t stop the way I was feelin’,” speaks to the heart of the song—knowing someone is bad for you but being unable to stop falling for them. This duality continues with the imagery of being held “just a little too tight” and the acknowledgment that summer love is often more about fleeting moments than lasting connections.
The chorus “Caught up in my dreams and forgettin’, I’ve been actin’ like armageddon” captures the essence of getting so lost in what you want the relationship to be that you ignore the looming end. Lana’s hope that the person could change, juxtaposed with the realization that they “just couldn’t stop”, paints a picture of inevitable heartbreak. The powerful imagery of “revvin’ and revvin’ and revvin’ it up” coupled with the sound that was “frightenin'” serves as a metaphor for the tumultuous, intense nature of the relationship—an exhilarating ride that ultimately leads to pain, symbolized by the line “You’re gonna hit me like lightnin’.”
In conclusion, “White Mustang” by Lana Del Rey is a poignant reflection on the beauty and pain of a summer fling that was never meant to last. Through the metaphor of a white Mustang, Lana encapsulates the thrill of the chase and the heartache of unrequited love. It’s a tale as timeless as the summer itself—fleeting, passionate, and ultimately, a bittersweet memory.
