Mariners Apartment Complex

Lana Del Rey · 2019

Listen carefully and fill in the missing words.

    Verse 1
You took my (1) out of context
At the Mariners Apartment Complex
I ain't no candle in the wind
I'm the board, the (2), the thunder
Kind of girl who's gonna make you (3)
Who you are and who you've been

And who I've been is with you on these (4)
Your Venice bitch, your die-hard, your (5)
Maybe I could save you from your sins
So, kiss the sky and whisper to Jesus
My, my, my, you found this, you need this
Take a deep breath, baby, let me in

Chorus
You lose your way, just take my hand
You're lost at sea, then I'll (6) your boat to me again
Don't look too far, right where you are, that's where I am
I'm your man
I'm your man

Verse 2
They mistook my (7) for weakness
I fucked up, I know that, but Jesus
Can't a girl just do the best she can?
Catch a wave and take in the (8)
Think about it, the darkness, the deepness
All the things that make me who I am

And who I am is a big-time (9)
That people can (10), but you don't have to leave her
When everyone's talking, you can make a stand
'Cause even in the dark I feel your (11)
You can see my heart (12) in the distance
Baby, baby, baby, I'm your man, yeah

[Chorus × 2]

Outro
Catch a (13) and take in the sweetness
Take in the sweetness
You want this, you need this
Are you (14) for it?
Are you ready for it? Are you ready for it?
  

Mariners Apartment Complex

Lana Del Rey · 2019

Song Worksheets

Odd Word Out

Each group has four words. Circle the word that does NOT belong. Then write the reason on the line.

Group 1

darknessdeepnesssadnesssweetness

Reason:

Group 2

commanddemandwhisperorder

Reason:

Group 3

lightningthunderwavecandle

Reason:

Group 4

believerresistanceweaknesskindness

Reason:

Finish the Lyric

Complete each line in your own words. Try to match the mood and style of the song.

1. You lost your light, but I can be your...

2. I'm not afraid of the dark, I'll stand here...

3. You thought I was fragile, but I'm made of...

4. When the storm comes, you know I'll...

5. Don't walk away, I'm right here...

Did you know?

Read these facts about the song. Which one surprises you most?

🎵Lana Del Rey released 'Mariners Apartment Complex' in 2018 as the lead single from her album 'Norman Fucking Rockwell!' The song marked a shift in her style, showing a more confident and assertive side compared to her earlier, more melancholic work.
⭐The Mariners Apartment Complex is a real location in Venice, California. Lana Del Rey has spoken about how the place inspired her, and the Venice Beach area appears frequently in her lyrics and visual imagery throughout her career.
🎸The album 'Norman Fucking Rockwell!' received widespread critical acclaim and was named Album of the Year by several major music publications in 2019. Many critics consider it one of the best albums of the decade.
📀Lana Del Rey co-wrote 'Mariners Apartment Complex' with her longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, who has also worked with artists such as Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Bleachers. Antonoff produced much of the album.
🎤The line 'I'm not a candle in the wind' is a reference to Elton John's famous song 'Candle in the Wind,' which was written about Marilyn Monroe. Lana is rejecting the idea that she is fragile or easily blown out.

Discussion & analysis

Discuss each question with your partner.

1In the song, the singer says 'I'm your man.' Why do you think she uses that phrase? What does it tell us about how she sees herself in the relationship?
2The singer says 'they mistook my kindness for weakness.' What is the difference between being kind and being weak? Can kindness ever be a form of strength?

3Think about a time when someone supported you or you supported someone else. How did it feel? Does this song remind you of that experience?
4The song uses powerful images from nature — lightning, thunder, the sea. What do these images suggest about love and relationships? Can nature be a good metaphor for emotions?

🛑 Play It! — Stop!

Teacher gives a category (e.g. bands beginning with B). Class splits into two teams. Teams take turns — one answer each, back and forth. First team to hesitate or repeat loses the round.