sukiedelrey

You just tell her. How do you tell your girlfriend anything?
 
 
I'm talking about the way people have latched on to it. The lyric is funny, "quirky," sure, but people have spazzed out about it. Why the fixation? This short audio interview is a perfect example. You have her on the phone on your show and could ask her anything, but you sit there like a child giggling about one explicit lyric that mentions her pussy?
 
 
 
 
This all made me think of something i think about often--this puzzling contradiction with how the US (and other western countries i imagine) is so sex-obsessed as a culture, how it’s everywhere we look and we accept this as part of the culture--it sells and is consistently used in marketing, movies, comedy, etc., every generation is sexualized at a younger age than the previous, sex is often used as a tool or a weapon--and yet we are still mostly so rigid about it when it is completely out in the open, and we continually deem it controversial and continue to validate it as taboo. One classic example is how even nudity takes precedence over graphic violence in rating a movie for more mature audiences.
 
Let’s think about a male pop singer singing, “My cock tastes like Pepsi Cola.” I’m going to venture to say that there wouldn't be nearly as much and as strong of a reaction to that because male pop stars being sexually explicit and even vulgar is normative (for many obvious reasons that we won't get into here). I think this is another case of patriarchy at work. When Lana Del Rey sings this line there's an exaggerated buzz around it, i suspect, because it’s a woman expressing herself in a sexually explicit manner (tee hee, look what she said), and also there's still this stupid mystique around cunnilingus and female genitalia in general.
 
Part of the reaction comes from the humor in the lyric, yes, but i think it's more than that.

Apparently, in the booklet it says "Ah, he's in the sky with diamonds," which pisses me off because that's lame. It sounds like she's saying Harvey to me, and that's how I'll continue to sing it.

*Listening (mostly) for the first time and typing my review as I go*
 
Ride - 4/5
This song is the "Born to Die" of the Paradise Edition for me. It's probably my favorite, though others will choose to skip it when it comes up on shuffle. I love the build up and how very Sam's Town it sounds. The drums that come in on I hear the birds on the summer breeze give me life, although I hate the video and I have to say that the monologue is v lame.
 
American - 2/5
I rated this a 2.. it's not a "bad" song per se, but lyrically- it is weak. Lana describes herself as a poet, and in this song, that does not come across in the slightest. I don't know if she's ripping of Tom Petty or paying homage with the party dress line ("Last Dance with Mary Jane"), but it was just too cheesy, along with all the "likes", "Springsteen is the king" (although this is true), and most of all- the wolf howlings... What is she trying to say about Americans, anyways? (I'm just glad all the artists she listed were, in fact, Americans)
 
Cola - 2/5
This is the song people will listen to and giggle when she says "pussy." It lacks depth, which is fine- a good, silly song is always welcome- but it's not that either. There is no buildup and there is no..er, for lack of a better term, climax. I've heard her describe this song as tropical and surf, but I am not getting that vibe at all, is it just me? And if this song is about Barrie, I do wonder about the wife lyric- are they actually married? I know your wife.. (because it's her) - but I digress. And it is most annoying that I cannot figure out if is she is saying Holly/Javi/Hubby??? Moreover, it's a bit creepy to sing about what your vagina tastes like and subsequently stating that you pledge allegiance to your dad for teaching you everything he knows. Also "Decorate my neck"..does Lana like pearl necklaces? (Lana, "niceys" is not a word)
 
Body Electric - 4/5
So very autotune-y but I like it. Still not liking her pronunciation of Opry. It's not OPRAY or OPRUUUUI..just Op-ree, said from a girl that spent her youth there. I didn't expect to like this because when she first sang it live, I found the lyrics to be sophomoric and the beat to be dull.. the kind of thing you listen to when you wanna go to sleep. However, I really appreciate what they've done to this song! It's fun to sing your own version, I highly recommend it haha
 
Blue Velvet - 4/5
This was a great cover for her. It gets a bit old if you play it too much, but it's nice. I hope she does more covers! The only fault is that I wanted her .. pitch? I'm not sure what term to use to be a bit higher.. or a high note would suffice. Usually, when you do a cover, you wanna make it her own- and she's done just that, though I still prefer Bobby Vinton's version.
 
Gods and Monsters - 31/2-4 out of 5
If she hadn't of mentioned Morrison (my daddy), who knows if it would've rated this high with me but despite the cringe worthy lyrics, it's not too horrible for me. The second verse is where it starts to decline, lyrically and sonically, although the scream is everything. So much buildup and, again, no climax! I wanted an explosion, fireworks, etc. but we get "dope shit up straight to the heart." The final verse is the worst.. it's like she's just rambling shallow little lines.. "if I get a little prettier can I be your baby?" ..kinda messes up the theme of the song. I do think it'd make for a very interesting video, though and I can see how "the tumblr youth" (wow, I'm old) will like this one and Cola most.
 
Yayo - 1/5
Hate it.. at times she sounds like she's trying too hard and at other times she sounds bored. The entire time she sounds distant and removed when the novelty of the song is that its so personal, sweet, and full of emotion..I do wonder if the stutter (I-I wear your sparkle") was intentional.. moving on..
 
Bel Air - 4/5
No real complaints with this song, it's just a bit boring. I do picture Lana walking down the Palace of Fontainebleau in the Born to Die video in her white nightgown walking towards "heaven's gates" when I hear this song. It's really pretty and I love when the chorus kicks in and overlaps the verse.
 
Burning Desire - 4/5
I really like this song but it took some warming up to. I think it was because the first version I had through Itunes was screwy.. it's so great now. It doesn't try to be anything more than it is and it's nice to drive at night to. I really love the little sound in the background during the verse. I'm guessing that's a piano? It sounds ~~ like a piano incognito as wind chimes.. ~~
 
And I have to say- you can see the influence of the American Beauty soundtrack in this one, which I love...can you picture a plastic bag floating as you listen? lol
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al21Vtlsg4A
 
 
Well, that's it- I'm a tough critic but I'll give the PE a 3/5.. with Body Electric being my fave, which is really surprising, and also Ride.
 
Edit: Sorry I wrote so much!!

Ride - 5/5 - Loved it from the very first listen, the power this song has still amazes me (I tried not to overplay it so it's still special to me). The video helped strengthen my view of it, but I already adored everything about it before. The rhythm, the lyrics, everything.
 
American - 3.5/5 - I think it's pretty good, has a catchy sound to it, but the lyrics are a bit meh at parts. I like it, just not a favorite.
 
Cola - 3/5 - it's growing on me, I won't resist it it's very catchy
 
Body Electric - 4/5 - I like this one more than I thought I would! The lyrics stuck with me, it's really dramatic like I like 'em (otherwise those mild religious references would be a bit unnecessary) and I find it pretty good.
 
Blue Velvet - 4/5 - She sings it in a very delicate, haunting way, I enjoy it (and of course the song itself is amazing).
 
Gods and Monsters - 1/5 - Hate it. Everything from the ridiculous lyrics to the monotonous tone she keeps the entire song to the pretty boring sound of it. Tend to skip it involuntarily when it comes along.
 
Yayo - 3/5 - Always liked the song itself and the new version brings an... interesting sound to it. My brain still prefers the first version but this one isn't bad.
 
Bel Air - 5/5 - Adored it from when I first heard the demos! My ears just love it, I feel like playing it constantly, it's such a beautiful song.
 
Burning Desire - 4.5/5 - Ah this one is so husky-voiced and sexy, in a dark kind of way, makes me want to ride through the night with a dirty biker or something.

Ride - 2/5
This song is sort of nice but... boring. There is just so much better stuff out there, including Lana stuff, to listen to.
 
American - 3/5
A little nicer, not quite as boring. I plan to find a playlist to stick it in and hope that does it justice so it can grow on me.
 
Cola - 1/5
I think this song is entirely about drugs of various sorts. Which isn't a bad thing; I just have no life experience with substances beyond alcohol and caffeine; so I lack a point of identification. Though I have plenty of experience swapping one emotional addiction for another. So I could probably be persuaded to look deeper. (I just don't want to look any deeper into the pussy right now; I mean what the actual fuck?)
 
Body Electric - 4/5
I'm pleased with how the studio version has turned out. BE is now worth listening to.
 
Blue Velvet - 2/5
:tapsfingersinirritation: Boring.
 
Gods and Monsters - 3/5
I like parts of it, and don't like other parts. I hope when I understand it better I will like it better.
 
Yayo - 3/5
This version is lovely in its own way, but the spaciness makes me think this song is about the drug after all. I just don't see a lot of reason to listen to this one rather than the love song (yes, love song, dammit) that is Yayo 2010.
 
Bel Air - 5/5
I adore this song so much. Bel Air is the entire point of the Paradise edition for me (at first listen. I am all about the ear candy.) Bel Air delivers. I hope when I understand it better I will still love it.
 
Burning Desire - 3/5
Yeah, probably should have been on the album. Nice moments. Not the best. But better than half of what made it on the second CD imo.
 
#letdownsofar #ohwellatleastnowwehavebelair #ducksandrunsforcover

oh my god if she really says "hubby" i'll have zero means left to defend this song
 
i hear "now he's" too, i really hope it is.

I'm quite excited to hear how many elements she incorporated from old and unreleased songs into the new material. From what I've heard so far, "American" uses elements from "Never Let Me Go."

she's so co-dependent. she completely relies on other people to help her instead of taking matters into her own hand. in her songs, she's always talking about "i need somebody to hold me", "take me to.." she's always passive.

As much as i like her Lizzy album, her persona back then can get fucked tbh. I love the Lana image, the lips, the hair, the nails, the kettle blow, the grand scale of everything, YAS. BORN 2 DIE 4 LYF.

I'll just come out and sound like a crazy fanatic person, but there's really no song of hers I dislike. I've been a casual listener for a long time and every time I'd find 'new' songs of hers I was amazed that I liked them without exception. It rarely ever happens with other artists, and in a way it made me appreciate her music even more. The only ones I'm bored with a bit are the ones which have been my favorites at a time and I overplayed them a lot, but it has nothing to do with the song themselves.

Lana is probably the only artist I tolerate when it comes to swearing.

Let's send Dandy Garbage

Imma kick back and watch this train run out of steam while people project their guilt onto others, assume Lana's motives and intentions, and pretend to know how the music industry works. All, of course, over a tall glass of maple syrup lemonade, a mountain of spaghetti, and a slice of lemon pie cake.
 
NO, but 4 seriously guyz, this is, uh, insane. Pooling money together so that one person can make a trip to DC to hear some old recordings and then report back with a verbal description of them? There's liking an artist's music and then there's being pathologically obsessive. That said, i'm not trying to stop anyone here. Be merry and carry on.
 
To those who moralistically recoil at the mere thought of tracking down these songs, and cite the "personal" nature of her unreleased music as evidence for leaving it be: these songs are registered at the LOC, not sitting on an old hard drive of hers in oblivion. Throughout the years leading up to getting signed to a major, she has distributed her music, whether at shows, giving physical copies to acquaintances and colleagues, or putting them up online. And now she's a major artist. You think a signed artist has the agency to just release whatever music whenever they desire? What do you think record labels, label executives, and distributors are for? She's under contract, of which we don't know the terms--she can't just "release" her music as she pleases, so the argument that because she hasn't done so yet she must not want to, is meaningless. That is flawed logic and a gross oversimplification.
 
Maybe she doesn't care for that old stuff. Maybe she doesn't even think about it anymore. Maybe she's embarrassed by it given the age at which it was recorded. But again, Sirens was given out to people, and these other unknown songs are registered with the LOC. The fact of the matter is that she is now a public recording artist with a back catalogue of registered music. This business about her old songs being "too personal" is hogwash. The idea being discussed in this thread wouldn't even cause material to leak. Now that is another topic altogether--the moral implications of pirating intellectual property. Why don't we discuss THAT rather than making shit up?

As someone said earlier, she needs to get a tampon for her leaks.

I have never finished any of her "official" videos. Truth be told, I have only considered watching a few of them. They're V boring.
 
I refuse to watch "Ride." Sorry, everyone I told I would. Here's looking at you, Maru and Sitar
 
If she was happier, maybe I'd like her more.

I basically discovered Lana by habbo
I didn't like her
and I called her lana del ray because of the staff page on habbo

sad life at how i discovered lana on habbo but didn't like the way she looked so i didn't bother listening to her, but then after a while i finally listened to video games and i hated it at first, gave it a few more listens, got hooked, got bored of just video games and blue jeans and kinda outta luck... and then btd (song) came out and then I discovered more unreleased songs and i was like wow and then when BTD leaked I downloaded it, I wasn't intending to buy it, but after a week of listening to BTD I loved it.

I still hate it. I own only one Lana remix, don't have any CDs, and think her career is on a downward slope.

Let's be honest, next time she opens her closet to get a shirt, one of us will be in there all "hai gorl, here you go" :creepy:

If this was ever gonna be a 12 track full album, adding Burning Desire on it as well as Velvet Crowbar, Boarding School and Never Let Me Go would have fit really nicely!!!
 
And um srsly this album is out in 11 fucking days here

If I met her, I would honestly probably cry. Shes my bestfriend and I don't even know her.

No, no, not an 18+. Pleease. It's okay for all you smug little 18+ year olds.
I'm not even 14 fucking years old yet.

What just happened. O____O
 
You're both bonkers. That cat made a one-time appearance, and for good reason; it sucked. The Loon has been around for many-a-song, and has shit its beautiful shit all over the Paradise Edition. Besides, the Loon has its own awesome accomplice that dominates the cat anyway, and that would be the Random Screaming Chick in Gods & Monsters.
 
Suck it.

Million Dollar Man is horrible live. In fact, many of her live performances are very cringe-worthy. I don't say this because I think she's a bad singer, but because I think she's been choosing the wrong songs. Her iTunes set was much improved, in terms of vocals, but I still think they could cut MDM, pick up the pace of Radio and Without You, it would be much better.
 
In all honesty, she should work on her vocals for her faster paced songs. If she could perform Off To The Races in a different fashion than the Concert Prive performance (although I give her a pass for that because it was one of her first televised performances and the material was newer then), I think it could definitely be a crowd-pleaser and add a little life to her show.

IDK I feel like I find fault with almost everything she does (lol), but I can't find it in my heart to find her antifem. I mean the GQ shoot itself I thought was pretty awful to women- but in a way, for her as an individual, it could have been very empowering- but that's a whole other story
 
also, I really am at war w/ loving paradise edition for the fun lyrics 2 sing or hating it b/c, for me at least- it doesn't hold a candle to btd and doesn't really ~paint a picture w/ words~ like it did for me ^_^