"Text Book" (also known as "Textbook") is a song by Lana Del Rey from her eighth studio album and seventh major-label studio album Blue Banisters. It was produced by Gabe Simon, Zach Dawes, and Dean Reid. It was released as a single on May 20, 2021, along with "Blue Banisters" and "Wildflower Wildfire".
Background[]
The song was recorded in December 2020.[S 1] On July 9, 2023, a demo of the song leaked.[S 1] An unused drum stem from the song leaked on March 7, 2024.
Cross-references[]
- Del Rey refers to meeting Clayton Johnson at a BLM rally.
- A Thunderbird is also mentioned in "Baby Blue Love".
- Sean Larkin owned a Thunderbird, likely referring to him.
- Sean Larkin's ex-wife is blonde (“Do you think if I go blonde we could get our old love back?” and “And then there was the issue of her. I didn't even like myself”)
- Dyeing hair blonde is also mentioned in "Me & My Boyfriend".
- Brentwood is also referenced in "Chemtrails Over the Country Club".
- The color blue is mentioned in many of Del Rey's songs, most notably "Nectar of the Gods", "Get Free", "God Knows I Tried", "Salvatore" and "Blue Jeans".
- Stars are also referenced in "Driving in Cars with Boys", "Every Man Gets His Wish", "Axl Rose Husband", "Video Games" and Ride.
- (Not) being jealous is also mentioned in "Jealous Girl" and "Venice Bitch".
Official versions[]
- Album version — 5:03
- Single version — 5:03
- Demo version — 4:53
Lyrics[]
Album version[]
I guess you could call it text book
I was lookin' for the father I wanted back
And I thought I found it in Brentwood
It seemed only appropriate you’d easily have my back
And then there was the issue of her
I didn’t even like myself or love the life I had
And there you were with shining stars
Standin' blue with open arms
You'd touched the detriment most of the friends I knew already had
You got a Thunderbird, my daddy had one, too
Let’s rewrite history, I’ll do this dance with you
You know I’m not that girl, you know I’ll never be
Maybe just the way we’re different could set me free
There we were, screamin', "Black Lives Matter"
In the crowd by the Old Man River
And I saw you saw who I am
God, I wish I was with my father
He could see us in all our splendor
All the things I couldn’t want for him
I screamed for them, oh-oh-oh
I scream for them, ah-ha-ah
Could we do this dance again?
Do you think if I go blonde, we could get our old love back?
I guess this is really the end
I never felt jealous before this year, but I’m jealous now
People say we’re too much alike
But maybe finally that’ll make it right in the end
Of all these sleepless nights
Other men I met felt right
But would smile at you and stick a knife
In your back, finally I met you so I’m not wondering why
You got a Thunderbird, my daddy had one, too
Let’s rewrite history, I’ll do this dance with you
You know I’m not that girl, you know I’ll never be
Maybe just the way we’re different could set me free
There we were, screamin', "Black Lives Matter"
In the crowd by the Old Man River
And I saw you saw who I am
God, I wish I was with my father
He could see us in all our splendor
All the things I couldn’t want for him
I screamed for them, oh-oh-oh
I scream for them, ah-ha-ah
Old Man River keeps rollin'
With or without him
Old Man River keeps rollin'
Without him, oh, my old man
Old Man River keeps rollin', oh
Demo version[]
I guess you could call it text book
I was lookin' for the father I wanted back
And I thought I found it in Brentwood
It seemed only appropriate you’d easily have my back
And then there was the issue of her
I didn’t even like myself or love the life I had
And there you were with shining stars
Standin' blue with open arms
You'd touched the detriment most of the friends I knew already had
You got a Thunderbird, my daddy had one, too
Let’s rewrite history, I’ll do this dance with you
You know I’m not that girl, you know I’ll never be
Maybe just the way we’re different could set me free
There we were, screamin', "Black Lives Matter"
In the crowd by the Old Man River
And I saw you saw who I am
God, I wish I was with my father
He could see us in all our splendor
All the things I couldn’t want for him
I screamed for them, oh-oh-oh
I scream for them, ah-ha-ah
Could we do this dance again?
Do you think if I go blonde, we could get our old love back?
I guess this is really the end
I never felt jealous before this year, but I’m jealous now
People say we’re too much alike
But maybe finally that’ll make it right in the end
Of all these sleepless nights
Other men I met felt right
But would smile at you and stick a knife
In your back at the same time and that’s the opposite of right
You got a Thunderbird, my daddy had one, too
Let’s rewrite history, I’ll do this dance with you
You know I’m not that girl, you know I’ll never be
Maybe just the way we’re different could set me free
There we were, screamin', "Black Lives Matter"
In the crowd by the Old Man River
And I saw you saw who I am
God, I wish I was with my father
He could see us in all our splendor
All the things I couldn’t want for him
I screamed for them, oh-oh-oh
I scream for them, ah-ha-ah
Old Man River keeps rollin'
With or without him
Old Man River keeps rollin'
Without him, oh, my old man
Old Man River keeps rollin', oh
'Kay
Credits[]
Personnel[1]
- Lana Del Rey — songwriting, production, vocals
- Gabe Simon — songwriting, production, engineering, background vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar, bass, synth bass, keyboards, percussion, drum programming, piano, sound effects
- Dean Reid — production, additional production, engineering, mixing
- Zach Dawes — production, co-production
- John Congleton — engineering
- Jon Sher — engineering
- Mai Leisz — engineering
- Adam Ayan — mastering engineering
- Alex Tomkins — assistant recording engineering
- Ben Fletcher — assistant recording engineering
- Brian Rajaratnam — assistant recording engineering
- Melodye Perry — background vocals
- Greg Leisz — baritone guitar, pedal steel
- Darren Weiss — drums
- Griffin Goldsmith — drums
References[]
Notes[]
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