Lana Del Rey

Today I'm going to be writing about someone very influential in my life and that is singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey. I remember exactly how I first heard her music. It was the summer of 2012 and it was the fourth of July and I was just scrolling on YouTube looking for new videos to watch to pass the time and I came across a music video called "National Anthem" - Lana Del Rey ft. ASAP Rocky. I was familiar with ASAP Rocky but I had never heard of "Lana Del Rey" so I gave it a listen and literally fell in love with everything from the lyrics, to the images in the video and the melodies. After that I searched about Lana Del Rey and found myself mesmerized by her beautiful nostalgic melodies and lyrics. I also really enjoyed that before she was "Lana Del Rey", she published music under her birth name Elizabeth Grant, or Lizzie Grant. Her older music has a great contrast to what she has been putting out recently. She has over 200+ unreleased songs which vary in genre, sound and theme. So I'm never bored, and always find myself listening to something or the other of hers. If you aren't familiar with Lana Del Rey, let me hit you up with some background information. Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (born June 21, 1986), known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter . Del Rey started writing at the age of 18 and she signed her first recording contract with 5 Points Records in 2007, releasing her first digital album Lana Del Ray in January 2010. Del Rey bought herself out of the contract with 5 Points Records in April 2010. She signed a joint contract with Interscope, Polydor and Stranger Records in July 2011. Del Rey's music has been noted for its cinematic sound and its references to various aspects of pop culture, particularly that of the 1950s and 1960s Americana. The singer has described herself as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra". Before signing to a major record label, Del Rey provided sole production of her music videos. Musically, she draws influence from what she deems to be the masters of each genre, including Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Nirvana, Eminem, Bruce Springsteen, and Britney Spears, as well as from poetry and film noir. She gained lots of attention especially in the US after she released her single for the movie 'The Great Gatsby' called 'Young and Beautiful' which she wrote and sang by herself and created a music video for. Everything about Lana really inspires me from her looks, music, her fashion style, to her life story. What I get from her is the idea to make my life a work of art, my work of art and live how I want to disregarding others opinions. To live life fast while you're young and find your people and spend time living in youth and beauty because it doesn't last forever. I really admire the idea that she decided to go her own path and lived life on the run and just living in trailer homes with little money while she was young but doing what made her happy and living with her lover at the time. But then her life was turned around and she is this new and coming singer, but Lana isn't all about fame. She is a very humble person and doesn't let everything out with a huge bang like other artists; she truly has a passion for music and she doesn't care for critics. Her style of music is very unique and brings back sounds from the 50's and 60's while other artists focus on new sounds and styles she brings something back for us which is beautiful and nostalgic in it's own way. A lot of people say her music is 'sad' or 'sadcore' which I admit it is true she does have many songs with a darker filter but I guess I just have a taste for that, and you discover a different side of life, a deep and darker side. Along with her music, the music videos (which she makes by herself and adds a lot of vintage clips into) are absolutely phenomenal. I feel like every music video I watch of hers tells me a story. From her 10 minute mini movie/music video 'Ride' which tells a story of living fast and finding yourself on the open road to the 30 minute film 'Tropico' including her singles from the paradise album 'Gods and Monsters" "Body Electric" and "Bel Air" which tells an epic tale based on the Biblical story of sin and redemption. I really recommend listening to her music if you want to listen to music with deep lyrics, beautiful melodies, wild at heart with weird on top. 

Here's a couple of quotes from Lana, the first one being my favorite <3
“I was always an unusual girl.
My mother told me I had a chameleon soul, no moral compass pointing due north, no fixed personality; just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide and as wavering as the ocean.” 
― Lana Del Rey 

“Live fast. Die young. Be wild. Have fun.” 
― Lana Del Rey

"I used to wonder if it was God's plan that I should be alone for so much of my life. But I found peace. I found happiness within people and the world."-Lana Del Rey

“Who are you?
Are you in touch with all of your darkest fantasies?
Have you created a life for yourself where you can experience them?
I have. I am fucking crazy.
But I am free.” 
― Lana Del Rey

One-Two-Watch Meet Lana Del Rey
Interview

"Lana Del Rey." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Mar. 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

One Two Watch Meet Lana Del Rey. Perf. Lana Del Rey. Youtube. N.p., 23 Aug. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

"Lana Del Rey - Ride." YouTube. YouTube, 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

Del Rey, Lana. "Lana Del Rey - Tropico (Short Film) (Explicit)." YouTube. YouTube, 06 Dec. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

Gillmore, Ross. Lana Del Rey. 2013. N.p.