What does "Stargirl Interlude" by The Weeknd ft. Lana Del Rey mean?
What does "Stargirl Interlude" by The Weeknd ft. Lana Del Rey mean?
"Stargirl Interlude" by The Weeknd is the shortest song from the Starboy album and also one of the most artistically creative ones. While other songs from the record come across as braggadocios or shallow, "Stargirl Interlude" somewhat artistically describes a sexual encounter. The song provides some pivotal but not graphic details and further develops the relationship between The Weeknd and the woman that the Starboy album could be about.
"Stargirl Interlude" Lyrics' Meaning
The song is about one moment of sex as Lana Del Rey and The Weeknd take on the parts of the two people taking part in the act together. It only lasts for a brief moment and seems to be more about capturing the emotion of the moment than giving details or spreading a message.
Verse: I Love It
In the only verse of "Stargirl Interlude," Lana Del Rey sings about sex from her perspective, and while The Weeknd speaks more in the abstract later, she is very concrete in the imagery she uses. She sings, "I had a vision / A vision of my nails in the kitchen / Scratching counter tops, I was screaming." At first this sounds like maybe two people having a fight, but it appears to be more about sex when you read further into the lyrics.
Lana Del Rey sings, "My back arched like a cat / My position couldn't stop, you were hitting it." They're having sex in a kitchen, and it's going well for them. She sings, "And I shouldn't cry, but I love it, Starboy." She finds the moment beautiful, and that's probably because not only of the physical sensations but also because of their emotional oneness in the moment.
Outro: Lana Becomes a Stargirl
The Weeknd doesn't stay much in "Stargirl Interlude," but he does comment on Lana Del Rey's character's relationship to his. He sings, "I just want to see you shine 'cause I know you are a stargirl." Because he is the "Starboy," he has the ability to grant that "star" status to others he knows. And the way to make this woman "shine" like a star is to have extraordinary sex with her.
"Stargirl Interlude" Deeper Song Lyrics Meaning
"Stargirl Interlude" is short enough that most people will be doubtful that there's some deeper meaning to the lyrics, but I have two ideas. First, I think that deeper purpose of "Stargirl Interlude" was to meaningfully capture and reveal one small experience in a powerful way and to dwell on that. And as much as I don't like listening to songs about other people having sex, I thought this song was well done.
Second, I think it's interesting (though not comprehensive or condemning) that the way Lana Del Rey's character achieves "stargirl" status is by having sex with the "starboy." Not to be too much of a feminist here, but it seems sexist that The Weeknd wants to see her "shine" when having sex. If a star shines, and shining is the purpose or success of a star, it seems limiting to say that a stargirl is successful and who she was meant to be when she's having sex with a man. I think she should have just as much flexibility to shine as The Weeknd does.
This isn't to say that The Weeknd doesn't allow for this, but the song seems limited in its scope and based on much of the rest of the song, I wouldn't be surprised if the only way for a woman to achieve her full potential around The Weeknd was for her to have sex with him.
I don't say that to sound bitter or angry, but it's what the end of the song suggested to me. What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this song and to read your theories on what "Stargirl Interlude" by The Weeknd is all about!
