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"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[]

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
Standing 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-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-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
Standing 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-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-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[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 This is speculation and should not be relied upon. It has not been confirmed by any official source, but was reported here and is considered widespread knowledge within the community.
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