Analysis of Lana Del Rey's music vidoe 'Ride'!

1. LANA DEL REY ~ ‘RIDE’
By Kieran Barnes

2. PROLOGUE – 0:00 – 3:24

The video opens with an establishing shot of the Nevada Valley of
Fire , accompanied by various close ups of Del Rey swinging on a
tire cutting in and out. The principle location is set with an already
powerful introduction of star image shown in a intriguing dreamy
light.

As the audience hears the acoustics of the deep emotive intro ,
Lana’s first words of the prologue create an expressive connection
with the audience – mirroring that of the melodramatic Golden Age
of Cinema. The bleak reflective tone of the entire video is already
set in the first opening shots.

3. 
A sense of loneliness in the star persona is then established
through an integration of short flashes of long and mid-shots
depicting Del Rey walking down a street in the evening. As well as
creating atmosphere , this has been purposely included to show
the prominence this location will take later on in the video.

Reflecting the words ‘I once had dreams of becoming a beautiful
poet’ , a further short flash cutting in of Lana, alone as a singer on
a stage ,victimises her. The imagery of a fired gun further
develops this suggesting that her hopes have now been dashed.

4. 
A variation of different shots are used to further depict her as a
helpless soul waiting in the street , but then this develops the
narrative into imagery of Del Rey appearing to ‘sell herself’ to a curb
caller. Aside from demonstrating some slight relief , this
development expresses the statement that she has ‘no moral
compass’ , creating a clear divide with her portrayal previously.

Leading towards the end of the prologue , Lana is shown through
wide and mid-shots back on the stage in a glamorous gold dress.
Conveying the message of ‘who belonged to everyone’ , Del Rey
turns her solitary mood into one of the consumption of fame and a
yearning for attention.

5. MAIN BODY OF THE SONG – 3:25 -8:06

Camera panning ,from the floor to reveal Del Rey’s full body, marks
the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the star. However , the
costume choice of a dazzling white gown ultimately ensures a
sense of fragile innocence remains.

Shots of Del Rey lip-syncing the opening of the song on stage show
that there are elements of ‘performance’ to the video. An
integration of audience applause imagery and mid-shots of her
and her lovers conveys the self-interest of the music industry and
the intimacy of love.

6. 
As the video develops away from the first use of lip-syncing of the
song , the synonymous imagery of Del Rey draped in an American
flag first appears between cuts back to her lovers. This is a clear
use of her famous referencing to pop-culture and vintage
Americana.

Cutting back to one of her lovers clearly abusing his power , the
lyrics of ‘Don’t break me down , I’ve been travelin’ too long’ are
reflected by her image as the desperate perfect , Lolita.

7. 
As the appearance of the words ‘fatal charm’ demonstrate the
costume change to a passionate red , the lyric ‘I just ride’ begins a
camera movement of tracking the journey of highway
motorcyclists. Del Rey is shown to hold her place firmly as the
female amongst them ,with the return of the American flag image
indicating freedom.

From this and a series of varying shots , wide and mid-shots
depict a downbeat Del Rey at a petrol station smoking her problems
away. This night scene can then be considered a turning point
when the return of the motorcyclists signals a restoration of
liberation in her.

8. 
A further turning point surfaces as a transition shot depicts her
wrapped in the flag around a campfire. The united company of the
motorcyclists prevents a return to isolation , creating a huge
contrast with the differing mood of the prologue.

As the framing of the shots changes to show that her exhaustion
at her life has regained control , the lyrics ‘I’m tired of driving ‘till I
see stars in my eyes’ are expressed with the inclusion of a Native
American headdress determining a confusion in persona. The
camera flashes to the bonfire and fireworks mirroring the frantic
qualities of her mind , but a calm peaceful imagery takes
precedence as the video moves into the epilogue.