Lana Del Rey and Jim Morrison

[TrailerParkDarling]

 

It kind of astounds me that Lana Del Rey has never mentioned The Doors' lead singer Jim Morrison before in past interviews- she's quick to mention Elvis or Frank, but not Jim.  Before Born to Die: The Paradise Edition was released, she did say that the record was inspired by the West Coast and had a sound similar to The Doors', and of course, she mentions Jim in Gods+Monsters.

 

Living like Jim Morrison, heading towards a fucked up holiday

 

Of course, when I first heard this, I was excited- then kind of annoyed. (One reason being that the Jim Morrison tag on Tumblr is full of people's selfies with the Gods+Monsters lyric captioned in  italics underneath...sigh)  But then myself- and many other Lana fans- questioned the lyric and what it meant exactly- was she referencing her previous fast + hard lifestyle or was she stating her desire to be a tragic icon like Jim?

 

Being that Jim is my favorite, I thought I would share a few of the similarities I've noticed between the two-

 

 

 

Smoking during performances

 

 

 

 

Both Lana and Jim were also very wary of audiences to begin with. After a while, Jim became more and more inhibited with his audiences, something Lana has done to an extent, as well.

 

A preoccupation with death

 

Lana has been quoted on her fascination with death, stating the inspiration behind her song "Born to Die" came about when she learned that her mother, her father- and everyone else would one day die.

 

"People fear death even more than pain. It's strange that they fear death. Life hurts a lot more than death. At the point of death, the pain is over. Yeah, I guess it is a friend."- Jim Morrison

 

"Death and paradise are intertwined for me." - Lana Del Rey 

 

Death & Love are the main inspirations for both Jim and Lana's lyrics.

 

 

Favorites

 

 

(Elvis, Priscilla, Frank, and the not so gangster Nancy Sinatra)

 

Mutual favorites of Lana and Jim: Frank+Elvis, Mad Magazine and James Dean

 

"Mad magazine and white socks" - Lana Del Rey in the song "1949"

 

Jim read Mad Magazine and Beatnik poetry (Ginsberg and Ferlinghetti- writer of "A Coney Island of the Mind" were among his favorites), and listened mainly to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley (He is known to have covered Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel" & "Love Me Tender", in addition to others) 

 

Lana has been quoted numerous times speaking of her love for Elvis, Sinatra, and Ginsberg.

 

(Jim Morrison also loved James Dean.James Dean, for sure)

 

Both also share a passion for philosophy, though I'm not sure who Lana's favorite philosophers are. 

 

 

Addictions

 

 

“It was everything in the end.” - 

Lana Del Rey on her addictions, although she denied ever using heroin.  Lana had a firm support system and was able to beat her addiction with the help of family and friends. Jim Morrison was not so lucky.

 

Jim's most-loved drug was said to be heroin.  He also frequently used LSD in attempts to achieve higher thinking. He was also a terrible alcoholic whose alter-ego "Jimbo" came out when he was drinking. He died from an alleged heroin overdose at the age of 27. 

 

 

Film 

 

Even though Jim was passionate about music, he desired to be more involved with films, and made several short student films during his time at UCLA as a film student.

 

"I'd hate to think I'd stop having anything to do with music, but I think that in the future, I'll tend towards an exclusive film involvement."- Jim Morrison

 

Lana Del Rey has also voiced a desire to work in film.

 

"When I was starting, I had a vision of being a writer for film and that's what I am doing now. I'm so happy...hopefully, I will branch into film work and stay there." - Lana Del Rey

 

 

Indian Reservations

 

Love casinos, Indian reservations

 

 

Not too long ago, Lana spurred some controversy when she appeared in the "Ride" video in an Indian headdress. She also claims to have worked on a Navajo reservation in Utah when she was younger.

 

 

 

Jim claimed to have a spiritual connection with Native Americans, believing that one of their spirits entered his soul when he was four years old when he witnessed a car accident in which an entire family of Native Americans had been badly injured or killed. (A truck which was carrying these Native Americans crashed on the highway and was overturned.)  Morrison thought this was the most formative event of his entire life, and this imagery stuck with him in his music (ex. Indian Summer"), poetry, and even in his dancing. The Doors' keyboardist, Ray Manzarek, recalled in his book that when Jim was dancing on stage sometimes, it looked as though Jim was taking on some form of an Indian.

 

 

 

 

A love for nicknames

 

Jim Morrison- Mr. Mojo Rising, The Lizard King

 

Lana Del Rey- Sparkle Jump Rope Queen, Coney Island Queen, etc.

 

(Ok, I'll admit, some of this is reaching)

 

 

Chateau Marmont

 

 

(This picture was taken in the closet of Jim's room at the Chateau Marmont)

 

Both Jim and Lana had a love affair with the Chateau, and lived there for quite some time.

 

 

Couch Crashers

 

Jim Morrison was notorious for crashing on the couches of his friend's homes.(Kurt Cobain did this as well)  He never owned a home, preferring to stay in hotels or couches. 

 

In Feb. 2012, Lana Del Rey told The New York Times' T Magazine about her living situation- "Staying with my ex-boyfriend. I live on his couch."

 

 

For as much as their styles are similar, they are also vastly different. (Personally, I would have to say that Jim was a better lyricist on the whole, but Lana perhaps a better singer- as far as range goes) Jim was also borderline psychotic (said with love) and Lana seems normal- at least on the surface. 

 

 

I just think it's interesting how Jim may have influenced Lana Del Rey, in addition to other artists and cinematic works.  It seems like in every new generation there is a tragic character- after Jim it was Kurt (someone else Lana has claimed to be inspired by) after Kurt, it was Amy. I think Lana is a physical homage to tragic historical pop culture icons. 

 

 

What do you guys think?  Do you notice any similarities between Lana and other musicians? Another person we could compare Lana with is Priscilla Presley- the hair+ clothing styles, similar cars, - perhaps in attempts to reach Elvis? Where are you when I need you most? (Also may explain her negative responses when compared to Nancy Sinatra, once stating harshly that Frank was the "real musician." Nancy + Elvis were alleged to have had an affair) 

 

"Pick your role models wisely. Find out what they did and do it." -Lana Del Rey

 

 

Lana with some losers covering "Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors.

[Limelight]

I would never have thought of that. Thanks for the amazing reading

[Hellion]

Plot twist: Lana is the Twelfth Doctor. She and Jim dated. Jim is K. 

[TrailerParkDarling]

Plot twist: Lana is the Twelfth Doctor. She and Jim dated. Jim is K. 

 

[elliesioux]

Amazing thread! 

I love Jim 

[Demian]

This is so cool. I love reading stuff like this.

[liam]

 

"Pick your role models wisely. Find out what they did and do it." -Lana Del Rey

 

This is actually one of the most memorable Lana quotes for me.

 

After reading this thread, she has definitely done what she has said in that quote. Some of the comparisons mentioned are way too similar and I can't help but think that she has maybe gone a little too far in trying to be like her idols/role models? It seems like she is impressionable when it comes to the people who she admires.

I've also seen quite a few photos of Priscilla when she was younger and I've noticed that Lana seems to have definitely took some inspiration from her (and not with just hair/make-up).

 

 

 

 

Also, thank you for posting the following Jim Morrison quote. I really like it!

People fear death even more than pain. It's strange that they fear death. Life hurts a lot more than death. At the point of death, the pain is over. Yeah, I guess it is a friend."- Jim Morrison

[TrailerParkDarling]

This is actually one of the most memorable Lana quotes for me.

 

After reading this thread, she has definitely done what she has said in that quote. Some of the comparisons mentioned are way too similar and I can't help but think that she has maybe gone a little too far in trying to be like her idols/role models? It seems like she is impressionable when it comes to the people who she admires.

 

It's kind of like she has taken a little bit of all her inspirations.. like Bruce Springsteen's Americana images.  I don't know if she even knows that much about Jim or if any of these similarities were consciously done, I just thought the whole thing was interesting. I wonder why no one has asked Priscilla about it, I think she'd love it.  Lisa Marie would probably roll her eyes though.

 

This is the same girl who once quoted on her @MissDaytona twitter "If you take your cues from pop culture, you're headed for a steep cliff." 

[Viva]

This is actually one of the most memorable Lana quotes for me.

 

After reading this thread, she has definitely done what she has said in that quote. Some of the comparisons mentioned are way too similar and I can't help but think that she has maybe gone a little too far in trying to be like her idols/role models? It seems like she is impressionable when it comes to the people who she admires.

I've also seen quite a few photos of Priscilla when she was younger and I've noticed that Lana seems to have definitely took some inspiration from her (and not with just hair/make-up).

 

 

 

 

Also, thank you for posting the following Jim Morrison quote. I really like it!

 

you got inside my head rigth?? Get out of my head! Not only your post is what I feel but also that is one of my favorite quotes of her. I also think is a quote that says a lot about her.

 

ps: In my opinion Lana is a really good student . I always think she did studied a lot how people got what she wanted to achieve. I think she studied a lot the fame game. One of the things that made Monroe famous was her quotes she is until today very quotable.

[TrailerParkDarling]

you got inside my head rigth?? Get out of my head! Not only your post is what I feel but also that is one of my favorite quotes of her and also think says a lot about her.

 

ps: In my opinion Lana is a really good student . I always think she did studied a lot how people got what she wanted to achieve. I think she studied a lot the fame game. One of the things that made Monroe famous was her quotes she is until today very quotable.

 

 

I get ya!! I also see that comparison between Norma Jean/Lizzy Grant vs. Monroe/Del Rey.. How Marilyn got plastic surgery and kind of became someone else- always on and making people fall in love with her, like Lana. But sometimes U could just see that inner sadness

[Viva]

I get ya!! I also see that comparison between Norma Jean/Lizzy Grant vs. Monroe/Del Rey.. How Marilyn got plastic surgery and kind of became someone else- always on and making people fall in love with her, like Lana. But sometimes U could just see that inner sadness

 

Is this a plot? Are you 2 getting inside my head for fun?? One more person and becomes a party

 

pS: so many "coincidences"  with the celebs she mentions often and some of her quotes including the one Liam mentioned.

Edited February 24, 2013 by Antonia22

[TrailerParkDarling]

A little OT but I wonder what you guys think of Lana's use of other artist's lyrics - too much or just enough? Is it homage or copying? For example, in 'American' alone we have 'Play house, put my favorite record on' (reminiscent of 'Baby, Let's play house' by Elvis) and 'Honey, put on that party dress' (Oh my, my oh hell yes, honey put on that party dress- Tom Petty) 

 

If you go through Elvis' song titles, some of them are similar to Lana's

 

i.e. She's Not You/ She's Not Me 

 

The reference to the Pink Cadillac in 'Back to tha basics' = Elvis' Pink Cadillac/ Springsteen's song 'Pink Cadillac'

 

i kind of love it, ngl, though not so much her taking the lyrics.

[lola]

 

 

God, I love this.

 

 

 

 

She's definitely inspired by those artists but sometimes I feel like she imitates them a little too much and should just go her own way and not try to live like Jim Morrison.

[lola]

[Alex]

 

[Baby V Alex]

their connection is so spiritual, just like Kween Carmen Electra and Lana

 

[Limelight]

their connection is so spiritual, just like Kween Carmen Electra and Lana

 

That avi + signature

[Hello Heaven]

I think the connections and inspirations between Lana and Marilyn and Priscilla are a lot more obvious because they're female so the proof is visual but I never noticed how many references to Jim she's used.

 

I think part of it is probably the fame game but if you think about it, she probably wanted to be a famous singer partly because she's so passionate about who she listens to and wants to be like them, I can't really explain but I can see how she gets all these references. I mean, say I drink a mtn dew or pepsi I automatically think of Lana, plus I've started to do, wear or say various little things that Lana would without even noticing. So it's probably the same for herself.

[MarryTheSequins]

Wow, great analysis! I think Lana is definitely inspired by Jim.

[Trash Magic]

A little OT but I wonder what you guys think of Lana's use of other artist's lyrics - too much or just enough? Is it homage or copying? For example, in 'American' alone we have 'Play house, put my favorite record on' (reminiscent of 'Baby, Let's play house' by Elvis) and 'Honey, put on that party dress' (Oh my, my oh hell yes, honey put on that party dress- Tom Petty) 

 

If you go through Elvis' song titles, some of them are similar to Lana's

 

i.e. She's Not You/ She's Not Me 

 

The reference to the Pink Cadillac in 'Back to tha basics' = Elvis' Pink Cadillac/ Springsteen's song 'Pink Cadillac'

 

i kind of love it, ngl, though not so much her taking the lyrics.

I looked at all of Elvis song titles a while ago and they were so dope cinema etc, really reminded me of Lana. 

 

excellent post btw