Arcadia

[Flowerbomb 65,569]

19 minutes ago, salvatore said:

shocked and in beautiful awe @Arcadia a longtime bestie is christened with her own song upon full surprise full sprung symphimonious fervor

 

It's an honour 

[Bonita 12,415]

On 7/4/2021 at 10:30 AM, be sweet said:

her jazz serve! the spiritual successor to "LA Who Am I To Love You?" THATS RIGHT! 

 

love how this came to be 

[Shanice Jones 1,334]

which is the difference between Arcadia (iTunes Version) and the one on the other streaming services?

[That Venice Bitch 26,854]

20 minutes ago, Shanice Jones said:

which is the difference between Arcadia (iTunes Version) and the one on the other streaming services?

Different piano track and I think something to do with some brass (horns, trumpets, tuba) and strings (viola/violin) differences

[Skuj 226]

I think the lyrics to Arcadia would make Dylan blush. Fucking magnificent. 

[Lovelana28 153]

On 9/8/2021 at 2:59 PM, Arcadia said:

They built me up three hundred feet tall just to tear me down

So I’m leaving with nothing but laughter in this town

 

This song is an incredible gift to her fans as well as an impressive middle finger to her critics. Her writing is so clever, I admire her confidence and her willingness to tell it like it is, no matter what. 

[one time beauty queen 18,407]

 

sooo i was today years old when i found out the lyric is “i’m leaving them as I was, 5’8, western belt” 

i always thought it was “western bound”… like as if she’s on a highway, driving away… anyways wtf is western belt?? 

 

 one of these  lol ? like she had on in the alt MV

 

i see OP of this thread has  it as "western belle" which is closer to belt than bound ofc, so maybe its that but if it is does that mean even her sheet lyrics are a mess ?

[grandpas glass 25,586]

5 minutes ago, burthday kake said:

 

sooo i was today years old when i found out the lyric is “i’m leaving them as I was, 5’8, western belt” 

i always thought it was “western bound”… like as if she’s on a highway, driving away… anyways wtf is western belt?? 

 

i see OP of this thread has  it as "western BELLE" which is close to belt than bound ofc, so maybe its that but if it is does that mean even her sheet lyrics are a mess ?

I think the meaning is 'hit' or 'beaten'

https://m.dict.cc/englisch-deutsch/belt.html

[one time beauty queen 18,407]

Just now, Harry Nilsson said:

I think the meaning is 'hit' or 'beaten'

https://m.dict.cc/englisch-deutsch/belt.html

if thats what she meant... 

[Lasso 12,022]

Ok, writing is not my forte but I'll bite. English is my second language so I'll probably make some grammar mistakes but here we go:

 

So, my favorite thing about the way Lana writes is that a particular song can have several meanings and interpretations, with several layers to be uncovered. 

Arcadia in particular is a loaded word - at first glance, it's a city in LA county and Lana reinforces that by comparing her body to a map of LA.

 

But since I'm not from the USA, the first thing that popped in my head when I read the title Arcadia was Arcadism. The name derives from the greek utopian myth of Arcadia, an idyllic place which was a safe haven for poets and artists in general. It is one of the most popular literary schools in romance languages, specially in lusophone countries such as Portugal and Brazil. Arcadism was a reaction to the previous literary school, which was Baroque, known for its grandeur and excesses. As Lana fans we may be familiarized with Baroque Pop which was one of the genres of her albums Born to Die, Paradise and Honeymoon. Lana started with a "new sound" and a "new way of writing" after Lust for Life, so I believe that naming a song Arcadia is her way of saying that she is really distancing herself from exaggerations in her music and in writing. Thus, she is becoming more and more personal, real and brutally honest with each album. 

 

One of the main characteristics of Arcadism is more simple language and exaltation of country life/a simple life in detriment of urban life/materialism.

Arcadians cut useless aspects of life and seek simple things, rich in spiritual meaning. I find that to be true for most of Blue Banisters' songs - many allusions to nature, Lana wishing for simplicity and making more mundane observations, simple songs that read almost as lullabies (specially Cherry Blossom and Sweet Carolina). This was her Arcadian moment.

 

This is the meaning that Arcadia always held to me personally. But a few days ago, I came across a painting called "Et in Arcadia Ego", which can be translated to "Death too is in Arcadia".

 

 

Again, many possible interpretations, one of them being a mement mori: death will come for everyone even if they live in a perfect place such as Arcadia. There is a play inspired but this painting - Arcadia by Tom Stoppard. One of the most proeminent themes of the play is time as a steady march to death. This made my reflect on the line:

 

"In Arcadia, Arcadia

All roads that lead to you are as integral to me

As arteries that pump the blood that flows straight to heart of me"

 

And I interpret that in 2 ways: firstly, it's Lana saying that being a poet is as integral to her as her own heart. Secondly, that all roads in life lead to inevitable death, so living is essentially walking towards death. The way she uses the heart/blood metaphor which is the essence of being alive is so beautiful. So in my own personal headcannon, Arcadia is like a sequel to Born to Die (the song), even though Lana said "listen to it how you listened to Video Games", I personally listen to it like I listened to BTD.

 

I needed to write at least a thinkpiece about this song because I've loved it since it came out. Imo it's one of her most well written songs and nothing will ever change my mind about that. 

 

[honeymoon is alive 19,805]

can we talk about how beautiful this song is

[honeymoon is alive 19,805]

So i always associated the line “They build me up 300ft tall just to tear me down” as Lana talking about herself, but today i was thinking that the Statue of Liberty is also 300ft tall, and giving the context of the song (America needing a miracle) maybe she was talking about the country itself?

 

The statue could symbolize the USA with all its glory, representing the American Dream and all that stuff, and then with the recent political scenarios all this symbol is destroyed. I don’t know, I’m probably reaching but it was just a thought I wanted to share 

 

 

[PARADIXO 32,668]

35 minutes ago, honeymoon is alive said:

So i always associated the line “They build me up 300ft tall just to tear me down” as Lana talking about herself, but today i was thinking that the Statue of Liberty is also 300ft tall, and giving the context of the song (America needing a miracle) maybe she was talking about the country itself?

 

The statue could symbolize the USA with all its glory, representing the American Dream and all that stuff, and then with the recent political scenarios all this symbol is destroyed. I don’t know, I’m probably reaching but it was just a thought I wanted to share 

 

 

 

I don't think it was written with the Statue of Liberty in mind but I've always seen Arcadia as a 100% social commentary. Not at all a love song. Some people need to read more.

[Lasso 12,022]

On 2/20/2023 at 1:45 PM, honeymoon is alive said:

can we talk about how beautiful this song is

 

yes 😭 forever one of my favorites

I love Land Rovers 

[helloheaven 356]

THEY BUILT ME UP THREE HUNDRED FEET TALL

JUST TO TEAR ME DOWN

SO IM LEAVING

WITH NOTHING

BUT LAUGHTER

AND THIS TOWN

ARCADIA

FINDING MY WAY TO YA

IM LEAVING THEM AS I WAS

FIVE FOOT EIGHT, WESTERN BELT

PLUS THE HATE THEY GAVE

BY THE WAY

THANKS FOR THAT

ON THE WAY

ILL PRAY FOR YA

BUT YOU'LL NEED A MIRACLE

AMERICA

(transition into interlude transition into bbs life alert advertisement playing in the background)

[PARADIXO 32,668]

The drama in this song