I thought I felt the mega-quake
In Silver Lake
Grabbed a woman’s hand by mistake
I wanna read and make out
And learn magic tricks
I might disappear just for kicks
And I
I’m the country hick that’s making you feel it
Swear my eyes fell off from batting my lashes, I
I shove my love back down in my pocket
And I
Can we stay in my fantasy?
In my jewelry box, where I never leave?
In your deck of cards
I’m the queen of hearts
Will you shuffle me? Spread me apart?
Don’t let me in, don’t let me in
Imaginary friend
Either I’m just too young
Or I’m just too manic
Feel like holding a gun
To the planet
And I’m feeling dread
Watching your lava lamp
Just thinking about the end
And I
I’m the Southern belle pissing myself again
‘Cause I’m way too high up in Laurel Canyon, I
And I hate it here but you make it better
And I
Can we stay in my fantasy?
In my jewelry box, where I never leave?
In your deck of cards
I’m the queen of hearts
Will you shuffle me? Spread me apart?
This feels like my favorite book
On the very last page, where I never look
And I pretend it’ll never end
So I close it up and I start again
Don’t let me in
Don’t let me in
Don’t let me in
Don’t let me in
Imaginary
But I just wanna read and make out
I just wanna read and make out
I just wanna read and make out (Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
I just wanna read and make out (Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
I just wanna read and make out (Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
(Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
Oh, ah-ha, ha, ah-ha
Can we make out? Can we make out? (Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
I wanna make out, I wanna make out (Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
(Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
Escaping Reality Through Intimacy and Imagination
“Read & Make Out” by Chappell Roan is a dreamy exploration of longing, escapism, and vulnerability. The lyrics artfully mix whimsical imagery—like magic tricks and jewelry boxes—with raw confessions and emotional turbulence. Roan’s playful references to fantasy, such as being the “queen of hearts” or hiding away in a “jewelry box,” cleverly mask deeper insecurities and the desire for connection. The song oscillates between seeking comfort in daydreams and confronting the anxieties of reality, painting a portrait of someone who wants both affection and the safety of staying hidden. The chorus’s yearning to simply “read and make out” becomes a poignant metaphor for craving both intellectual and physical intimacy as a form of escape.
Song Credits
Songwriter: Chappell Roan
Release Year: 2024