Read & Make Out (Demo) Lyrics

Silver Lake, California, is a residential suburb known for its architecturally significant homes, independently owned businesses, diverse restaurants, and creative environment. The'megaquake' in question could also be attributed to the suburb becoming a 'nexus' for LGBT and Latino subcultures. Silver Lake began as a community in the 1950s, run by the first LGBT+ positive organization, the Mattachine Society. By the 1970s, it was a haven for queer life, with nearly every store being a gay or lesbian place of refuge. Despite the liberating atmosphere, Chappell, a proud member of the community, retorts that being gay was a'mistake'. Despite gentrification and cultural homogenization, the remnants of the disbanded Mattachine Society live on through plaques and memorials. Chappell, from Willard, Missouri, shares her experience in LA, feeling like a 'country hick' due to cultural differences between country areas and California.

About “Read & Make Out (Demo)”

“Read & Make Out (Demo)” by Chappell Roan is a whimsical yet introspective track that blends themes of escapism, young love, and mental health struggles. The song's playful desire for simple pleasures contrasts with deeper emotional turmoil.

• Album: CR2*
• Release Date: June 28, 2024
• Producer: Chappell Roan
• Genre: Pop
• Themes: Escapism, Young love, Mental health
• Notable Performances: Previewed on TikTok livestream, July 2, 2023
• Label: Island Records

Annotations and Meaning.

[Verse 1]

The first verse introduces a sense of disorientation and accidental connection, symbolized by the "mega-quake" and the protagonist grabbing a stranger's hand. The desire to "read and make out" alongside learning magic tricks illustrates a longing for simple, carefree moments amidst chaos.

[Pre-Chorus]

In the pre-chorus, the protagonist describes themselves as a "country hick," emphasizing a sense of feeling out of place. The act of shoving love back into a pocket signifies hiding true feelings, adding to the theme of escapism.

[Chorus]

The chorus explores the protagonist's wish to remain in their idealized fantasy world, depicted as a "jewelry box" where they feel safe and cherished. The metaphor of being a "queen of hearts" in a deck of cards highlights their desire to be valued and loved.

[Verse 2]

The second verse delves into the protagonist's mental state, contrasting feelings of youth and mania. The imagery of holding a gun to the planet and watching a lava lamp conveys a sense of existential dread and the struggle to find peace.

[Bridge]

The bridge likens the protagonist's situation to their favorite book's last page, which they avoid looking at to deny the end. This reflects a reluctance to face reality and a preference to stay in the comforting cycle of their fantasy.

[Outro]

The outro repeatedly expresses the protagonist's simple desire to "read and make out," underscoring their wish to escape into moments of intimacy and simplicity. The refrain "Can we make out?" reinforces this longing for connection and distraction from their inner turmoil. “Read & Make Out (Demo)” by Chappell Roan is the B-side of the vinyl single release of “Good Luck, Babe!”. The demo was first previewed on a TikTok livestream hosted by Chappell on July 2nd, 2023. She revealed that she produced this demo herself and mentioned, “This is one that I think is gonna be on the next album.”