2. Elizabeth Woolridge Grant known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, is a American singer-
songwritter.
Singing from the age of 18, Del Rey came to the forefront of her career during the release of her
song 'Video Games', since then she has produced three albums under the Del Rey alias 'Born to
Die' (3rd fastest selling album of 2012), Born to Die: Paradise Edition and Ultravoilence.
Describing herself as a gangsta Nancy Sinatra, her style of music if often associated with artists
such as: Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana, Amy Winehouse as well as poetry and film noir
(1940/50's Hollywood crime dramas, The Glass Key)
As a artist, Del Rey's stage name derives from the Americana influence/ era. Including, 20th
century cars made by American manufactures (Ford Del Rey), WW2 Pin-up girls, the Juke Box,
Levi Strauss and Cheer girls, Bubble-gum and roller rinks.
LANA DEL REY: BACKGROUND
3. Del Rey's most recent homage, is her rendition of Once Upon A Dream, originally featuring in
Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty. In the 1959 film, the song is preformed in ballad format,
supported with a orchestral/ waltz theme. Once released, the song become quickly known and
became associated with the film instantly.
The most significant change within the two songs is the style and theme of the entire song. The
drastic change from a classical Disney song/ waltz to 'moody-low key' and 'haunting' was quickly
picked up on by different media sectors and platforms. The song was styled to fit the genre of
the dark fantasy 'Maleficent', creating a link between the style of film and Lana Del Rey's homage.
The homage would be shown in a respectful way, with Del Rey glorying the era and influences
that her music has come from, as a result the critics reviewing the music were different and
showed the wide interpretation and market that it was preformed to.
HOMAGE
4. Similarly, the video following the release of National Anthem contains many historical references.
The link between herself and the performance of Maraylin Monroe 'Happy Birthday Mr
President' can be seen visually. In the video of National Anthem Del Rey supports a similar
white/ long dress shown in the original footage.
With the same setting and a black and white filter, Del Rey is able to produce the atmosphere and
create a representation to from where her musical influences began.
Although it is not verified, Lana's lover can be seen as a parody to the original video featuring
John F Kennedy. In National Anthem the character is shown wearing African styled clothing and
supporting gold jewellery, connoting wealth, completely opposite to JFK's attire.
The video attempts to combine old and new, the video and narrative of National Anthem follows
the same plot as Maraylin Monroe. However, with the Lana's influence the video changes
completely, however the audience are able to easily see the resemblance to the past.
HOMAGE
5. Lolita
The most major intertextual reference created by Lana Del Rey is the name of a song featured in
her album 'Born To Die'.
Lolita, is a novel written by Vladamir Nobokov produced in 1955. A highly controversial novel
the plot follows the life of a 38 year old literature professor, who becomes obsessed and sexual
involved with 12 year old Dolores Haze, Lolita is a private name given to Dolores as their
relationship continues.
The video follows the same plot of the book featuring shots of a young girl together with a older
man. In objected intertextual reference is a shot of the book itself within the video, here Del Rey
forms a connect between the video and the novel itself.
INTERTEXTUAL RELATIONSHIPS
6. Gods and Monsters
Lana Del Rey's interpretation of the Garden Of Eden, is again a controversial topic. Although
the visual is not a direct reference to the Bible, the lyrics reference 'Jesus' suggesting the link.
The biggest link between the video and the story is the 'taking fruit from the Garden'. In the
story both Adam and Eve are told that they can live in the Garden, as long as the don't eat the
fruit.
Tempted by the snake a apple is taken and ate, causing Adam and Eve to leave the Garden of
Eden.
This directly is taken from the story and into Del Rey's video. Lana is shown taking the apple. and
immediately 'dies' breaking the rules mentioned. This explores many topics such as Lana's views
on religion and the reasons for her interpretation.
INTERTEXTUAL RELATIONSHIPS
7. It can be argued that a simulacrum can be created from various aliases of Lana Del Rey. Before
the creation of Lana Del Rey, Elizabeth Grant preformed under the names Lizzy Grant, Lana Del
Ray and May Jailer.
Each of these have received praise, however it was not until the creation of Del Rey that Grant
rose to fame.
In past performances Del Rey is shown playing 'live'. There is no use of special effects as the
artist attempts to convey reality, while supporting her music genre.
SIMULARCRUM
Performance
8. Del Rey's most successful music video, was her self written song, 'Video Games'. The video
includes shots of skateboards, cartoon and shots of old cartoons, switched between Del Rey
singing via web cam. Quickly attracting various media members, she was gained positive and
critically acclaimed reviews. Most of the song can be digitally downloaded and bought in the
form of CD or record. Making it highly versatile. Records, also help support the indie/
alternative genre of the artist and with these gaining more popularity Del Rey would be able to
attract more fans.
CONSUMPTION
9. Del Reys' songs where sampled in the following:
Born to Die: Born 2 Die (Moodymann), Body Electric, Conflict Minerals (Blank Banshee),
Forbidden Fruit (Hucci), Resztra Zycia (Sokol and Marysia Starosta).
Summertime Sadness: Body Electric, Summer Time (ArrabbMuzik), Summer/Summertime
Sadness (Charity Vance).Ultravoilence: Poison (French Montana).
Young and Beautiful: Ugly Truth (Trae Tha Truth Feat. B.O.B).
INFLUENCES
