King

Erica King
ENGL1100
MWF 10-10:50
Mrs. Sheppard
Monday, November 14, 2012
Music Analysis
The American Dream
Lana del Rey is a rising starlet in media today. Through her odd lyrics and vintage
style, she has captured media attention and fans in her love of the pursuit of the American
Dream. She values the freedom that we have as Americans, and the ideas of the open
road and having the ability to truly be content and satisfied. In her song, National
Anthem, Lana del Rey takes on the persona of Jackie Onassis and Marilyn Monroe---
Americas idols in two very different ways, but who both loved the same man, and
describes the way the country has become in an attitude that reflects both womens
personalities as well as the truth she sees for herself looking into the past. Longing to be
someones National Anthem, del Rey explores how a relationship can change and the
how motives behind something so pure can become so corrupt because of money and
materialism.
Before the listener even hears the words to the song, other elements play an
important role in its interpretation as soon as it begins playing. For example, the rhythm
of the song is a steady120 bpm, which gives it a march-like feel, as though the listener is
in a presidential parade or watching it go by in the street, further emphasizing the
presidential background to the lyrics. The dynamics are static throughout the piece---a
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nice, solid, and grand forte throughout, showing the pride and grandeur Lana del Rey
believes that the American way of life has to offer. The only place there may be a slight
difference in dynamics is in the chorus, where it is possible there is a double forte, which
means its just slightly louder, emphasizing del Reys cry and yearning to be her beaus
National Anthem. The tone of the song also adds to the grandeur and splendor del Rey
loves about the US of A too; the lone singer is backed by an orchestra and a marching
drummer throughout the piece, making the tone rich and full. In the chorus, there are
several other women singing the background melody and lyrics while Lana del Rey
speaks to her man over them, also bringing a full sound and rich timbre in a very
American way while creating the only true harmonies between voices (rather than voice
versus instrument) in the entire song. The lack of harmonies between instruments as well
makes the song sound more unified, quite like the way most people view the United
States of America. Although there are not many harmonies in the song, the texture and
contrast between the different sounds of the singer and the different instruments creates a
sense of unity as well, showing that even though they are all different and none of them
sound alike, they are able to create something not only beautiful, but meaningful as well
once the lyrics are taken into account along with the timbre, dynamics, rhythm, and other
elements of music.
The first two lines of the song are Money is the anthem of success/ so before we
go out whats your address. Del Rey is commenting on how money is what defines a
person, and how anything they buy also vicariously reflects that. Valuing money, Lana
del Rey is trying to see if her potential beau is from a posh part of town. When she sings,
Im your National Anthem/ del Rey wants to be a symbol of pride for her man jut as
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the National Anthem is for America. God youre so handsome/take me to the
Hamptons/Bugatti Veyron means that her lover to show her love through materialistic
things, i.e. the posh Hamptons and luxury sports cars-her little compliment should get her
these things. She lyrics, He loves to romance them/ reckless abandon/ holding me for
ransom/ upper echelon, perhaps alludes to spy entertainment and romance, along with
American power, these lines reflect references to a grand story and cinematic scope in the
love plot that was found in films of the time, as well as the one Monroe, Onassis, and
Kennedy were involved in. The next line He says to be cool but I dont know how yet
refers to the innocence Lana del Rey still has-she wants to be part of her lovers fast-
paced and wealthy lifestyle, but she isnt used to it yet. Wind in my hair/ hand on the
back of my neck/ I said, Can we party later on?/ He said yes. Lana del Rey is using
imagery to show the audience a picture of a woman in a car with a top down (a symbol of
wealth to own back then) and showing her man she is willing to try and be posh and get
used to his lifestyle for him.
This whole first verse embodies the persona of Jackie Onassis-a humble and
sweet lady who just had so much devotion for her husband and was willing to help him
with anything, even if she wasnt used to the way he(/they) lived yet. Used to the fame,
but able to not let it go to her head, Onassis was adored and loved by Americans, and
really people all over the world, by being a beloved First Lady and American icon as well
as a fashion trend-setter.
The chorus follows this, and speaks more to how satisfied and idolized the singer
wants to be by her beau. Tell me Im your National Anthem/ Oh yeah baby bow down,
making me so wild now The artists desire is to be the pride and joy of her man, so she
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presents herself as an investment, since her man worships money, she wants to be his
anthem of his success. Contrasting her innocence in the beginning, the last line shows
how this newfound wealth is making her a little foolish, making her feel more carefree
since she is financially stable. Tell me Im your National Anthem A National Anthem
is the most tried and true expression of their country citizens can conjure, so we think of
what the artist wants her lover to feel about del Rey when she says this line. Sugar,
Sugar how now/ take your body downtown. If her lover tells her she is his National
Anthem, she will satisfy him sexually. Red, white, blues in the sky/ Summers in the air
and baby heavens in your eyes/And Im your national anthem The spirit of the
American Dream is everywhere, and Lana is finding her happiness she has longed for in
the man she is with, and she knows she is all his and she loves it.
The second verse comes next. It has a tone that more resembles the Marilyn
Monroe side to this love triangle, as she is used to the fame and fortune and attention she
is receiving and has received. Money is the reason we exist/ everybody knows it-its a
fact/ kiss kiss Stated almost matter-of-factly, this line shows how the character has
evolved into understanding that money is the only reason we function in society and are
alive, since it is what we use to buy food with. She seems to state this rather flippantly,
with her kiss kiss added at the end, probably because now she is used to having wealth
and not having to worry about finances. I sing the National Anthem/ while I am
standing/ over your body hold you like a python The character in the song is assuming
the role of the president, so saying that she is singing the National Anthem shows she
idolizes his status in society, and that she has control over him sexually, like a python
squeezing its prey. And you cant keep your hands off me/ or your pants on/ see what
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youve done to me/ give me chevron. Her lover cannot get enough of her, this woman
that his wealth and status has created, and she wants these sacrifices to be noticed, as a
military man is given another Chevron patch to add to his sleeve. He said to be cool but/
Im already coolest/ I said to get real/ dont you know who youre dealing with/ uhm do
you think youll buy me lots of diamonds? At this point, del Reys character has gone
from nave to all too experience, she knows how to play the game. The tables have turned
and she no longer needs direction to fit in with the posh crowds she so longed to be a part
of for her man in the beginning. The usage of the word dealing also makes it seem like
she is a little vixen, not just something he has to tolerate but something he has to control
almost. Will she allow him to, however?
The bridge shows how materialism has come to control society, and the idea of a
pure and simple American Dream doesnt really exist anymore. Its a love story for the
new age/ for the six page/ were on a quick sick rampage. Her story is so scandalous it
belongs on the six page-NYs acclaimed gossip column. Wining and dining, drinking
and driving,/ excessive buying, overdosing, dying The upper class or wealthy can get
away with these crimes much more easily than a middle class American could, it does
however tend to lead them on a path of destruction since they never truly learn the
consequences. And drugs and love/ and our dreams and our rage/ blurring the lines
between real and the fake All this reality smudging things are preventing del Rey from
knowing what is right and real anymore, she is too caught up in the lifestyle of the
wealthy to decipher the difference anymore, like loving someone, but not knowing if its
because of pure emotion, or because of what they have to offer materialistically. Dark
and lonely/ I need somebody to hold me This line shows that the singer knows money
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cant buy her this true love, and behind all the facades of happiness and all the money she
truly is alone in the world. To comfort herself from this depressing thought she has had,
Lana del Rey tells herself that they will be fine, as he has money and can keep her safe
with it, We will do very well/ I can tell I can tell/ keep me safe in his Bell Tower hotel.
Lana ends her song with a sort of lament, knowing that the material will always
control her Money is the anthem of success/ so put on mascara and your party dress.
Im your National Anthem/ Boy put your hands up/ give me a standing ovation Lana
wants her lover to know she has finally gotten to where she wanted to be- she is his and
he idolizes her, and she finally has figured out how to live in the material world
successfully. Boy you have landed/ babe in the land of sweetness and danger/ Queen of
Saigon. The city of Ho Chi Minh is much more like reality than this material life where
she has ended up. Instead of wanting to be taken to the Hamptons like in the beginning of
her song, del Rey shows what type of girl her man has gotten herself into.
Accompanying this song is also a music video, which truly captures the essence
of the booming days of the American Dream---the vintage camera footage, the old cars
used, the fashion, and the depiction of Lana del Rey as both the First Lady as well as
Monroe. At the end of the video, she actually reads the statement that Onassis said about
her late husband after he was shot. This shows that even though she has a desire for the
material things in life, the true value in things comes from a connection, i.e. the love and
devotion Jackie Onassis had for her husband that Marilyn Monroe could simply never
provide.


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Lyrics: National Anthem Music and Lyrics by Lana del Rey
Money is the anthem
Of success
So before we go out
What's your address?
I'm your national anthem God, you're so handsome
Take me to the Hamptons, Bugatti Veyron
He loves to romance 'em,
Reckless abandon,
Holdin' me for ransom,
Upper echelon.
He says to "be cool" but, I don't know how yet.
Wind in my hair,
Hand on the back of my neck.
I said, "Can we party later on?"
He said, "Yes, yes." (Yes.)
Tell me I'm your National Anthem.
(Ooh, yeah, baby, bow down,) (Making me so wild now.)
Tell me I'm your National Anthem.
(Sugar, sugar, how now,) (Take your body down town.)
Red, white, blue's in the skies,
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Summer's in the air and baby,
Heaven's in your eyes.
I'm your National Anthem.
Money is the reason,
We exist.
Everybody knows it,
It's a fact. Kiss, kiss.
I sing the National Anthem,
While I'm standing,
Over your body,
Hold you like a python.
And you can't keep your hands off.
Me, or your pants on.
See what you've done to me?
Give me Chevron.
You said to "be cool" but, I'm already coolest.
I said to "get real", Don't you know who you're dealing with?
Um, do you think you'll buy me lots of diamonds?
(Yes, I also brought my gun)
Tell me I'm your National Anthem.
(Ooh, yeah, baby, bow down,) (Making me so wild now.)
Tell me I'm your National Anthem.
(Sugar, sugar, how now,) (Take your body down town.)
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Red, white, blue's in the skies,
Summer's in the air and baby,
Heaven's in your eyes.
I'm your National Anthem.
It's a love story for the new age,
For the six page,
Want a quick, sick rampage?
Wining and dining, drinking and driving,
Excessive buying, overdosin', dyin',
On our drugs and our love,
And our dreams and our rage.
Blurring the lines,
Between real and the fake.
Dark and lonely,
I need somebody to hold me.
We will do very well, I can tell, I can tell,
Keep my safe in his bell tower hotel.
Money is the anthem,
Of success.
So put on mascara,
And your party dress.
I'm your National Anthem,
Boy, put your hands up,
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Give me a standing ovation.
Boy, you have landed,
Babe, in the land of,
Sweetness and danger, Queen of Saigon.
Tell me I'm your National Anthem.
(Ooh, yeah, baby, bow down,) (Making me so wild now.)
Tell me I'm your National Anthem.
(Sugar, sugar, how now,) (Take your body down town.)
Red, white, blue's in the skies,
Summer's in the air and baby,
Heaven's in your eyes.
I'm your National Anthem.
Money is the anthem, God, you're so handsome.
Money is the anthem, of success
Money is the anthem, God, you're so handsome.
Money is the anthem, of success







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Works Cited
del Rey, Lana. "LANA DEL REY - '"NATIONAL ANTHEM" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)."
YouTube. YouTube, 27 June 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60cvtxwlJr8>.