"Afraid" is an unreleased song by Lana Del Rey. It was recorded in 2010. The song was co-written and produced by Bernard Butler. It is not registered on any known publishing service.
Background[]
The song leaked on August 23, 2012. A fan-edited second version of the track leaked on January 23, 2015, and the unedited version leaked on September 6, 2016.
According to a reliable insider, the song was pitched around to different artists.[S 1]
Cross-references[]
- The songs theme of failing to change a lover is also found in "Backfire" and "Shades of Cool".
- Del Rey also refers to herself as "America's sweetheart" in "Dangerous Girl".
- Santa Monica is also mentioned in "She's Not Me" and "Hot Hot Hot".
- Del Rey sings about a teenage relationship in "Prom Song (Gone Wrong)".
- Driving fast in cars with a male figure is also a topic in "Driving in Cars with Boys".
- Being afraid is also mentioned in "Cherry Blossom".
Official versions[]
- Version 1 — 4:34
- Version 2 — 4:03
Lyrics[]
Version 1[]
I'm America's sweetheart, tryna get away
You make it hard to leave, but it's easier for me to stay
I am so afraid
And I've had it up to here with the fighting, baby
We're not fooling anyone these days
I don't wanna stray, but, boy, I'm so afraid
But it's not love that keeps me here
And it's not what you want to hear
So, I'm goin' back to Santa Monica, New York to L.A.
Never coming back, boy
No matter what you do or say
'Cause I'm so afraid
And I had it up to here with the panic and the fear
There's nothin' in your heart
Thought that I could make you change
I'm so afraid
But it's not love that keeps me here
We were just teenagers when we fell in love
Drivin' in your fast car, lookin' at the stars above
But it was not enough
You should never come between a woman and her dream
And a man who never knew his place
There's no easy way to come back from where you came
But it's not love that keeps me here
And it's not what you want to hear
So, baby, now I'm goin' back to Santa Monica, New York to L.A.
Never comin' back, boy
No matter what you do or say
'Cause I'm so afraid
I-I had it up to here with the panic and the fear
Nothin' in your heart, boy
I thought that I could make you change
But I'm so afraid
And it's not love, it's just the fear
That you've put down for all these years
But I'm leavin' now
I'm goin' back to Santa Monica, New York to L.A.
Never coming back, boy, no matter what you do or say
I am done being afraid
Oh, I've had it up to here with the panic and the fear
There's nothing in your heart
I thought that I could make you change
I'm so afraid
Oh, it's not love that keeps me here
It's not love that keeps me here
I'm done being afraid
I am done being afraid
Oh, oh, oh
Version 2[]
I'm America's sweetheart, tryna get away
You make it hard to leave, but it's easier for me to stay
Boy, I'm so afraid
And I've had it up to here with the fighting, baby
We're not fooling anyone these days
I don't wanna stray, but, boy, I'm so afraid
But it's not love that keeps me here
And it's not what you want to hear
So, I'm goin' back to Santa Monica, New York to L.A.
Never comin' back, boy
No matter what you do or say
'Cause I'm so afraid
And I've had it up to here with the panic and the fear
There's nothin' in your heart
Thought that I could make you change
I'm so afraid
We were just teenagers when we fell in love
Drivin' in your fast car, lookin' at the stars above
But it was not enough
You should never come between a woman and her dream
And a man who never knew his place
There's no easy way to come back from where you came
So I'm goin' back to Santa Monica, New York to L.A.
Never comin' back, boy
No matter what you do or say
'Cause I'm so afraid
I-I had it up to here with the panic and the fear
Nothin' in your heart
Boy, I thought that I could make you change
I am so afraid
And it's not love, it's just the fear
That you've put down for all these years
But I'm leavin' now
I'm goin' back to Santa Monica, New York to L.A.
Never comin' back, boy, no matter what you do or say
I am done bein' afraid
Oh, I've had it up to here with the panic and the fear
There's nothing in your heart
I thought that I could make you change
I am so afraid
Oh, it's not love that keeps me here
It's not love that keeps me here
I'm done being afraid
I am done being afraid
Oh, oh, oh