YUNGATA

"Hi my name is Lana Del Rey and I'm so cute I'll make you want to cry".

"Hi my name is Lana Del Rey and I'm so cute I'll make you want to cry".

I actually didn't view her as being a prostitute to be honest. I saw it more as she was their "pretty little object" that we stereotypically believe all biker groups to have. The girl that they all had and all loved who they take around with them but genuinely adore. I think what solidified that most for me was the scene with the guy brushing her hair. Brushing someone's hair is typically an affectionate perhaps even paternal sign, neither of which I associate with prostitution.

Sweaty biker dude in a wife beater

I think this is an important perspective. Life is complicated, and things don't always line up according to whatever the conventional expectations are at the moment.

I know it was discussed more than a month ago but if you wouldn't mind I'd like to briefly touch on the un-feminist lyrics. As someone who's been in what I now realise were probably unhealthy relationships, albeit exhilarating, I really identify with a lot of what Lana's saying. But just briefly, I in no way mean to diminish or criticise your opinions by saying stuff like "you guys just don't know"; I don't know your lives or your struggles and I'm not prepared to make those judgements so this is merely my experience.
 
I can see how on the surface a what of her lyrical content seems to be against positive feminist ideals, but when I was in those relationships the power balance felt very natural and like feminism wasn't apart of anything. I was happy to let the men in my life lead me because they made me feel safe and there was a lot of love there. I knew how hard my heart beat for them and I could feel that in them too. For me, to love someone that much in a i-can-hardly-breathe-when-we're-not-together way made me feel so alive. I'm guilty of doing a lot of things I shouldn't have done with them but I was so free. So when they held me a little rough or something similar it didn't matter because it felt like we belonged. I can see why things like that from another perspective may have seemed off and like I was being controlled or smothered but that's not how it felt.
 
I was going to write a little more but I don't want to just bombard this thread with what is probably not interesting content.

I know it was discussed more than a month ago but if you wouldn't mind I'd like to briefly touch on the un-feminist lyrics. As someone who's been in what I now realise were probably unhealthy relationships, albeit exhilarating, I really identify with a lot of what Lana's saying. But just briefly, I in no way mean to diminish or criticise your opinions by saying stuff like "you guys just don't know"; I don't know your lives or your struggles and I'm not prepared to make those judgements so this is merely my experience.
 
I can see how on the surface a what of her lyrical content seems to be against positive feminist ideals, but when I was in those relationships the power balance felt very natural and like feminism wasn't apart of anything. I was happy to let the men in my life lead me because they made me feel safe and there was a lot of love there. I knew how hard my heart beat for them and I could feel that in them too. For me, to love someone that much in a i-can-hardly-breathe-when-we're-not-together way made me feel so alive. I'm guilty of doing a lot of things I shouldn't have done with them but I was so free. So when they held me a little rough or something similar it didn't matter because it felt like we belonged. I can see why things like that from another perspective may have seemed off and like I was being controlled or smothered but that's not how it felt.
 
I was going to write a little more but I don't want to just bombard this thread with what is probably not interesting content.

I know it was discussed more than a month ago but if you wouldn't mind I'd like to briefly touch on the un-feminist lyrics. As someone who's been in what I now realise were probably unhealthy relationships, albeit exhilarating, I really identify with a lot of what Lana's saying. But just briefly, I in no way mean to diminish or criticise your opinions by saying stuff like "you guys just don't know"; I don't know your lives or your struggles and I'm not prepared to make those judgements so this is merely my experience.
 
I can see how on the surface a what of her lyrical content seems to be against positive feminist ideals, but when I was in those relationships the power balance felt very natural and like feminism wasn't apart of anything. I was happy to let the men in my life lead me because they made me feel safe and there was a lot of love there. I knew how hard my heart beat for them and I could feel that in them too. For me, to love someone that much in a i-can-hardly-breathe-when-we're-not-together way made me feel so alive. I'm guilty of doing a lot of things I shouldn't have done with them but I was so free. So when they held me a little rough or something similar it didn't matter because it felt like we belonged. I can see why things like that from another perspective may have seemed off and like I was being controlled or smothered but that's not how it felt.
 
I was going to write a little more but I don't want to just bombard this thread with what is probably not interesting content.

I know it was discussed more than a month ago but if you wouldn't mind I'd like to briefly touch on the un-feminist lyrics. As someone who's been in what I now realise were probably unhealthy relationships, albeit exhilarating, I really identify with a lot of what Lana's saying. But just briefly, I in no way mean to diminish or criticise your opinions by saying stuff like "you guys just don't know"; I don't know your lives or your struggles and I'm not prepared to make those judgements so this is merely my experience.
 
I can see how on the surface a what of her lyrical content seems to be against positive feminist ideals, but when I was in those relationships the power balance felt very natural and like feminism wasn't apart of anything. I was happy to let the men in my life lead me because they made me feel safe and there was a lot of love there. I knew how hard my heart beat for them and I could feel that in them too. For me, to love someone that much in a i-can-hardly-breathe-when-we're-not-together way made me feel so alive. I'm guilty of doing a lot of things I shouldn't have done with them but I was so free. So when they held me a little rough or something similar it didn't matter because it felt like we belonged. I can see why things like that from another perspective may have seemed off and like I was being controlled or smothered but that's not how it felt.
 
I was going to write a little more but I don't want to just bombard this thread with what is probably not interesting content.

Fill Me Up is real, but it's not an album. It's just the title of her sex-tape

I know it was discussed more than a month ago but if you wouldn't mind I'd like to briefly touch on the un-feminist lyrics. As someone who's been in what I now realise were probably unhealthy relationships, albeit exhilarating, I really identify with a lot of what Lana's saying. But just briefly, I in no way mean to diminish or criticise your opinions by saying stuff like "you guys just don't know"; I don't know your lives or your struggles and I'm not prepared to make those judgements so this is merely my experience.
 
I can see how on the surface a what of her lyrical content seems to be against positive feminist ideals, but when I was in those relationships the power balance felt very natural and like feminism wasn't apart of anything. I was happy to let the men in my life lead me because they made me feel safe and there was a lot of love there. I knew how hard my heart beat for them and I could feel that in them too. For me, to love someone that much in a i-can-hardly-breathe-when-we're-not-together way made me feel so alive. I'm guilty of doing a lot of things I shouldn't have done with them but I was so free. So when they held me a little rough or something similar it didn't matter because it felt like we belonged. I can see why things like that from another perspective may have seemed off and like I was being controlled or smothered but that's not how it felt.
 
I was going to write a little more but I don't want to just bombard this thread with what is probably not interesting content.

LDRakaLG is an Autumn/Fall album to me. I began listening to it the autumn after Video Games blew up; it was constantly on repeat during the long commutes from home to campus, as I studied for my courses, as I daydreamed... :3 The autumn scenery and the oranges and reds and crunchy leaves are now inseparable from LDRakaLG. I think the ambiance of the album perfectly suits the autumn weather and scenery and fuzzy sweaters. :3 I used to sneak into one of the colleges in the corner of campus on the weekends and go to this gorgeous large room with an entire wall of windows, top to bottom. There was this stunning view of the autumn trees and the swirling leaves; it was remarkably picturesque and it made me happy and I'd select Kill Kill and hit play and settle down on my studies :3
 
The Born to Die music video leaked + was released the day that I wrote my economics final. I remember checking SIN and seeing Lana had uploaded the music video and it was the best End of Exams gift ever! :3 It's a notable "Lana experience" because I left my economics exam knowing that I had finally found the degree I was going to get, and it was such a fucking relief for someone as indecisive as me. :3
 
O _ O what lame Lana related memories!
 
And I'm sure just like many other fans here, I attribute certain songs, or rather a huge hunk 'o songs to people, or more specifically, to one person.

I know it was discussed more than a month ago but if you wouldn't mind I'd like to briefly touch on the un-feminist lyrics. As someone who's been in what I now realise were probably unhealthy relationships, albeit exhilarating, I really identify with a lot of what Lana's saying. But just briefly, I in no way mean to diminish or criticise your opinions by saying stuff like "you guys just don't know"; I don't know your lives or your struggles and I'm not prepared to make those judgements so this is merely my experience.
 
I can see how on the surface a what of her lyrical content seems to be against positive feminist ideals, but when I was in those relationships the power balance felt very natural and like feminism wasn't apart of anything. I was happy to let the men in my life lead me because they made me feel safe and there was a lot of love there. I knew how hard my heart beat for them and I could feel that in them too. For me, to love someone that much in a i-can-hardly-breathe-when-we're-not-together way made me feel so alive. I'm guilty of doing a lot of things I shouldn't have done with them but I was so free. So when they held me a little rough or something similar it didn't matter because it felt like we belonged. I can see why things like that from another perspective may have seemed off and like I was being controlled or smothered but that's not how it felt.
 
I was going to write a little more but I don't want to just bombard this thread with what is probably not interesting content.

getting drunk downtown and interpretive dancing/twerking it to Lolita and Serial Killer (and various songs) in the car with friends.
 
We all moan - extra loud and erotic when the climax part comes in SK :creepy: We then proceed to have moaning contests

Can we do live performances? If so, this:
There are two moments for me. First, when she does the chorus at 2:48 and she's bellowing and it sounds so emotional and you can see it from her voice that it's coming from a very deep place. The second moment is directly after when she sings along to what sounds like could be a saxophone solo. I love that and wish it could be on the album version.
 
As far as studio material goes, in Every Man Gets His Wish the lines:
I was working down in the corner cafe
You would drive by in the Chevrolet
Whistle at me as my hips go sway
"Lana Del Rey how you get that way?"
 
I just smile. It's so sweet and classic Lana to me.

I'm not at all a fan of (most of) the lyrics in Born to Die. Lyrically, the best song on the album is Video Games. I think most fans choose something like Off to the Races or National Anthem, because of the quick succession of references/"pretty lyrics". That's probably what I dislike most about the lyrical content of the album -- most of lines seem "tumblr-ready" to be made into edits with muted colors and the lyrics in Helvetica transcribed on top.
 
I'm not sure what Lana's writing-process is like -- she's spoken about it a few times, but has never gone into great detail -- but her lyrics make me think that she thinks of "pretty" lines/phrases/couplets first and foremost, and then strings them together. Something along the lines of, "Oh, I like the lines "soul as sweet as blood-red jam" and "every inch of my tar-black soul", how can I incorporate these into a song?" I think many songwriters use a similar technique, but it just seems like the entirety of most of her songs were written like this. (Again, I admit that I don't know her writing-process and this very well may not be the case). When I listen to a song like Video Games, I don't have the same thought. It strikes me as a very organic song to write, very natural and just... sincere.
 
Sure, the lyrics are simple, but I like the simplicity. You don't need to be trying to cram in every pretty phrase/60s reference/hip-hop slang into every damn line you write! I'd like to state that I don't inherently hate 60s references/Americana... but I do think that Lana has approached this theme before with much more positive/beautiful results. LDRakaLG is a great example of how the Americana themes and "pretty lyrics" can marry a much simpler songwriting style and have the outcome be something incredibly beautiful, more beautiful than Born to Die. This is the Lana I fell in love with, and will probably always be in love with. <3 LDRakaLG is just so beautiful and sincere and ...not contrived. How someone can listen to Oh Say Can You See and Raise Me Up and believe the lyrics aren't as good as those on Born to Die is beyond me! O _ O
 
So, you can imagine that after having heard Body Electric the first time, I was so, so disappointed. I still am. I think the music is beautiful, but the lyrics really aren't. I was going to type something like, "Lana's becoming a caricature of herself", but I realize now that she already is. :\ I know that this song is on a re-release, so the new songs will be in the same vein of those on Born to Die. I've accepted that whatever new songs will be similar, as disappointing as it is. So instead of bitching and moaning about how the lyrical content on the re-release is horrible, I'll be looking forward to her next effort and hoping that unlike the time between LDRakaLG and Born to Die, she grows as a songwriter. And instead of complaining and writing long-winded rants on forums, I'll appreciate Born to Die for what it is -- just one "phase" in what will hopefully be long-lasting career -- and a phase that is necessary and on route to Lana's future definitive masterpiece.

ITT: We share Lana related moments in your life that have been, happy, funny, profound, sad or whatever you like. Let's just share stories.
 
I'll start us off. I had a free house so invited a couple friends over for a few quiet drinks. We played cards for a bit while listening to music. I was a slightly tipsy and started gushing about Lana (you guys have done this... right?). Told them they had to listen to this live version of Video Games
everyone's watching in silence, completely absorbed by her. The chorus plays for the first time and I hum along quietly. Another friend stars singing softly and eventually we're all yelling the chorus at each other on the verge of drunken tears. It wasn't a big moment but I felt incredibly connected to everyone at the table and that was really nice for me. 
How about you?

er where do i start? this is my most recent one though:
 
so i have a friend and she said that she has a friend in year 8 who likes lana del rey, and apparently this girl in year 8 said 'omg nadia knows more about lana than me, and that's really saying something'. so a couple weeks ago my friend said 'okay so charlotte(the girl from year 8) wants to meet you' and i was like 'okay sure'. so i met her at break and BOOM we connected so quickly. she knew a few unreleased songs, we listened to lana for ages and she met me at lunch. and we've hung out every day since(: she runs my website with me and i gave her loads of songs and she's gonna buy me something lana for christmas ;D
 
not as eventful as all yours, but it means a lot to me.
 
all the lana fans are coming out of the closet at school.

Tutor related memories/experiences?
 
Well I already wrote a hugely self-indulgent post about when I met her last week, so I'll try for something else. Recently I've been spending a lot of time trying to get my friends into Lana Del Rey--it's been kind of successful, but I discovered I get really defensive.
 
For instance, I let "On Our Way" play in the background while me and some friends were playing board games I mean normal teenage stuff, yay booze...and at the end when she starts just singing "We're on our way" over and over and all the fans rejoice...well, my friends was just kinda like, "Yeah, you're on your way." Sarcastic, because she really does say it a lot.
 
So I immediately snap, "IT'S CALLED EMPHASIS, LACEY." Lulz abounded, but the message is that I am not the one to be fucked with when it comes to Lana. I was just sullen for the rest of the boardgame uh, drinking.
 
Also, in summer, I wanted to drive by the Chateau Marmont just to see it because Lana was staying there, and my friend started going on about how crappy her music was and what a terrible live performer she is and I got so heated. Happy to report this is the same friend I convinced to go to the "Ride" premiere with me and she's now a big fan

ITT: We share Lana related moments in your life that have been, happy, funny, profound, sad or whatever you like. Let's just share stories.
 
I'll start us off. I had a free house so invited a couple friends over for a few quiet drinks. We played cards for a bit while listening to music. I was a slightly tipsy and started gushing about Lana (you guys have done this... right?). Told them they had to listen to this live version of Video Games
everyone's watching in silence, completely absorbed by her. The chorus plays for the first time and I hum along quietly. Another friend stars singing softly and eventually we're all yelling the chorus at each other on the verge of drunken tears. It wasn't a big moment but I felt incredibly connected to everyone at the table and that was really nice for me. 
How about you?

I think this is the most anticipated part of all the lyrics in all her songs for me

It's so perfect.

 
He said, “Lana Ray, will you serve me lemonade”

and I said, “Yes, Bill, I will, it’s the day of the parade

And you look even more handsome than you did the day that I left you

How do you spend your nights, honey, still watching TV

I long to be in your arms honey, come back to me please”

I can't narrow it down to one, but in Radio when she sings:
 
"No one even knows how hard life was-
I don't even think about it now, because...
I finally found you."
 

Can we do live performances? If so, this:
There are two moments for me. First, when she does the chorus at 2:48 and she's bellowing and it sounds so emotional and you can see it from her voice that it's coming from a very deep place. The second moment is directly after when she sings along to what sounds like could be a saxophone solo. I love that and wish it could be on the album version.
 
As far as studio material goes, in Every Man Gets His Wish the lines:
I was working down in the corner cafe
You would drive by in the Chevrolet
Whistle at me as my hips go sway
"Lana Del Rey how you get that way?"
 
I just smile. It's so sweet and classic Lana to me.

Can we do live performances? If so, this:
There are two moments for me. First, when she does the chorus at 2:48 and she's bellowing and it sounds so emotional and you can see it from her voice that it's coming from a very deep place. The second moment is directly after when she sings along to what sounds like could be a saxophone solo. I love that and wish it could be on the album version.
 
As far as studio material goes, in Every Man Gets His Wish the lines:
I was working down in the corner cafe
You would drive by in the Chevrolet
Whistle at me as my hips go sway
"Lana Del Rey how you get that way?"
 
I just smile. It's so sweet and classic Lana to me.