Ben (Unreleased)

Lana Del Rey's unreleased song "Ben" paints a vivid picture of a complex and melancholic relationship. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire, as the narrator addresses her "sad executive love." This phrase suggests a partner who is emotionally distant or preoccupied, perhaps with work or personal struggles, leaving the narrator feeling neglected and yearning for connection. The imagery of "darkness assumes the room" and "midnight's become my noon" further emphasizes the emotional void and the inversion of normalcy in their relationship, where night becomes day, and love becomes a source of pain.

The repeated plea to "lie down" and the invocation of "Hallelujah" suggest a desire for intimacy and spiritual connection, even amidst the emotional turmoil. The narrator's declaration of being "on fire" for her partner highlights the intensity of her feelings, contrasting with the partner's apparent indifference or inability to reciprocate. This unbalanced dynamic is a recurring theme in Del Rey's work, where love is often portrayed as both a source of ecstasy and suffering.

The song also touches on themes of autonomy and fleeting moments. The narrator asserts her independence with lines like "I can smoke if I want to, I can dance if I want to," indicating a desire to reclaim her agency within the relationship. However, the acknowledgment that "I won't be here long enough for you to be my man" suggests an awareness of the relationship's impermanence. This bittersweet acceptance of love's transience is a hallmark of Del Rey's lyrical style, capturing the beauty and sadness of fleeting connections.