How Lana Del Rey
Claimed
Americana
ANTHEM OF SUCCESS
There is something so deeply American about a summer soundtrack to Lana Del Rey.
It could be the melancholy feeling of listening to “Summertime Sadness” on a hot July evening. Or, perhaps, it’s the image her lyrics often create in the minds of her listeners: a perception of The American Dream, bordering between a feeling of strong nationalism and criticism for the nation. Either way, her music evokes a feeling of nostalgia that her fans must chase to keep alive.
Lana Del Rey, the stage persona of Lizzy Grant, is the image of a classic Americana summer.
American symbolism and imagery is present throughout the eras of Grant’s music, beginning with her debut major-label studio album “Born to Die.”
Before 2017, Grant would project a waving American flag behind her as she sang the title track to “Born to Die” during her concerts. After the election of former president Donald Trump, she removed this imagery from performances on her “Lust for Life” tour. While a perfect America is an important part of Grant’s storytelling, she is not afraid to step back and acknowledge the nation’s faults in an ever-changing political climate.
Most recently, Grant achieved a milestone that tied her to America’s favorite pastime by playing a sold out show at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. This show was Grant’s first headlining stadium performance in the U.S.
While her musical aesthetic has evolved since she rose to fame, it’s hard to deny that Lana Del Rey is the poster child for the romantic American summer, as glamorous as it may or may not be.
In the music video for “National Anthem,” a track from the album, Grant portrays 1950s actress Marilyn Monroe singing to none other than former president John F. Kennedy, portrayed by A$AP Rocky. The video is based on the assassination of Kennedy and the alleged affair between him and Monroe, as Grant also portrays former first lady Jackie Kennedy. The video is filmed in a style common in the 1960s, with a framed border around each shot.
Grant keeps her American symbolism alive in various forms, using not only the White House as inspiration but also iconic American artists like Norman Rockwell and Elvis Presley. Her song “Young and Beautiful” was written for the 2013 adaptation of “The Great Gatsby,” based on the book of the same name by American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald. Mentions of America and its themes are sprinkled throughout her discography, painting a picture of freedom in the background of bad relationships and porch cigarettes.
Written by
Shelby Emery