Henry, come on

The song 'Henry, come on' by Lana Del Rey is a poetic reflection on relationships, personal choices, and the inescapable fate that each of us carries. The lyrics open with a direct plea to Henry, questioning whether the decisions made were truly voluntary or simply the result of circumstances, such as emotional dependence. This tension between free will and destiny is a recurring theme in Lana's work, where she often explores the complexity of human emotions and the consequences of our actions, especially when love blurs the lines between choice and inevitability.

As the song unfolds, Lana delves into the inevitability of goodbyes and the quiet acceptance that some people are only meant to pass through our lives. The metaphor of a 'cowgirl' riding away leaves behind a powerful sense of longing, portraying someone who, despite loving deeply, understands when it's time to move on. The repeated phrases like 'last call' and 'giddy up' add a sense of urgency and finality, echoing the mood of a last chance before departure, grounded in country-western imagery that emphasizes both strength and solitude.

Lana also explores themes of identity and fate, with lines suggesting that certain traits are embedded in her very nature: ' I heard God say it's in my blood.' This idea of something being prewritten or inherent reinforces the song's existential layer. The reference to the Icarus myth, 'the man who flies too close to the Sun,' adds depth to the narrative, symbolizing people who live intensely, driven by passion, even if it leads them close to destruction. This adds a mythological weight to Lana's ongoing exploration of lives lived at the edge of emotion, glory, and collapse.

Beyond personal romance, the song takes on a broader tone of personal journey and self-acceptance. The cowboy and cowgirl symbolism isn't just about heartbreak; it's about the loneliness and resilience of those who forge ahead, sometimes without knowing exactly where they're going. Lana uses these archetypes to express the inner conflict of wanting to stay grounded, while feeling destined to drift. She makes peace with this contradiction not through resolution, but through recognition.

In one of the song's most poignant lines, she sings about 'country singers and their lonely rides to Houston,' evoking the image of wandering artists in search of meaning. It's a quiet nod to the emotional distance that often comes with artistic sensitivity. These rides represent both literal and metaphorical journeys, long, uncertain roads where love, identity, and belonging feel just out of reach. For Lana, these roads are familiar and necessary, even if they come with sorrow.

Ultimately, 'Henry, come on' isn't simply about a breakup, it's a meditation on the inevitability of leaving and being left, on the choices we think we make and those that seem to be made for us. Lana Del Rey once again uses her signature blend of melancholy and romanticism to invite listeners to reflect on their own paths, asking: were we ever really in control, or have we just been riding toward our fate all along?