"Young and Beautiful"

"Young and Beautiful" is a song written by singer Lana Del Rey for Baz Luhrmann's movie The Great Gatsby originally written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The lyrics of "Young and Beautiful" really capture Daisy's feelings and experiences when she was with Gatsby. "Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?" Del Rey adds a hint of desperation which parallels the idiosyncrasies faced by the characters in F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel. Del Rey's dreamy vocals are draped over sedated strings and canned percussion. The soft and dreary vocals, falling in line with Del Rey's retro affectation, fits the atmosphere of the 1920's when the novel is set. The lyrics rotate around the themes of pleasing a lover, nostalgia, and the gloom of aging. “Young and Beautiful”, which is by far the most beautiful song on the soundtrack. That’s not something I ever envisaged myself saying about Lana Del Rey, but she has truly captured something extraordinary in this song. There is something in the nostalgic, affectionate, almost fearful refrain of “Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?” that evinces the devastating sadness of Gatsby and Daisy’s past love. It’s not just in the inevitable fading of youth and beauty, but also in the fading of an ideal. These characters no longer love one another so much as the idea of one another, and Del Rey’s evocation of rapture and precocious affection is heartbreaking. To watch the music video for "Young and Beautiful" click here. Here is the scene in "The Great Gatsby" where "Young and Beautiful" is played. Personally I think this song was perfect for the soundtrack and Lana Del Rey was sang the song beautifully giving it a sad and dreamy tune. Apparently the media the media thought so as well "Lana’s music has always had a cinematic quality, and this track’s certainly no exception: It’s haunting, romantic and emotionally devastating all at once. And of course, she’s still got her bad baby by her heavenly side: “Dear Lord, when I get to Heaven, please let me bring my man/When he comes, tell me that you’ll let him in,” Lana begs on the soaring bridge. “He’s my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds."  Says 'Muumuse.com'. Personally I agree with this website I don't think a better song or artist could have been picked to depict the emotions and desperation of Daisy on her and Gatsby's love.

Young and Beautiful -Lana Del Rey

Duffy, Grace. "SCENE & HEARD: THE GREAT GATSBY." Web log post. Under the Gun Review RSS. N.p., 17 June 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.
Stern, Bradley. "Lana Del Rey’s ‘Gatsby’ Theme “Young & Beautiful” Is A Masterpiece (Duh)." Weblog post. Under the Gun Review RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.
"Young and Beautiful (Lana Del Rey Song)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.
Young And Beautiful. By Lana Del Rey. Perf. Lana Del Rey. Youtube. Daniel Heath, 10 May 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.
The Great Gatsby. 2013. Photograph. Hollywood. Under the Gun Review RSS. By Kristen Acuna. 4 Apr. 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.
The Great Gatsby - Young and Beautiful Soundtrack Scene|HD. Dir. Baz Luhrmann. Perf. Leonardo Dicaprio. Youtube. N.p., 1 Sept. 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.
Lana Del Rey| Young And Beautiful. 2013. Photograph. Rock.rapgenius.com. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.