The narrator of the song is on a desert island, spending their days diving by a wreck and nights swimming in the blue lagoon. They reflect on memories of cities and dream of a perfect place. The lyrics include a reference to Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and end with the narrator mentioning seeing a plane flying over the island but being preoccupied with thoughts of someone else.

Meaning of "Blue Lagoon" by Laurie Anderson

"Blue Lagoon" by Laurie Anderson delves into themes of isolation, escapism, and longing for connection. The narrator finds themselves alone on a desert island but is constantly thinking about someone from their past, highlighted by the repetition of receiving and acknowledging a letter. The reference to "The Tempest" signifies transformation and the passage of time, as well as the idea of being the sole survivor and storyteller. The appearance of the plane symbolizes the world beyond the island and the literal and metaphorical distance between the narrator and their thoughts of this other person. The song captures a sense of yearning, nostalgia, and the complexities of memory and imagination.