Anybody that knows me knows how much I adore Lana Del Rey.
She’s basically my Queen. I’ve followed Lana from way back when, like; way back. When homegirl was going by Lizzie Grant. Way back indeed. But as a youngster enamored with alternative rock, I had not fully appreciated her musical talent until...
I was channel surfing one day cus I was in that awkward “I don’t watch TV like that, but I need to at least watch Adventure Time so I have something to chat about with the squad” phase and alas, Adventure Time wasn't on so I scrolling like crazy. The news on Channel 9 happened to be my default channel, so down scrolling I went; until I caught a glimpse of a black and white video with hints of a yellow hue. Then in strummed the iconic guitar chords of Blue Jeans. And from there, it was love at first note.
I went on such a Lana tirade it was ridiculous (in a fabulous way of course). I won’t lie, I got a lot of hipster joy when putting my friends onto her or whenever someone would go “Who’s that?” and I hyperly spill all my Lana Del Rey tea! But, I can’t lie (and now at 22 years old I feel a little silly admitting this), but when Lana became well known amongst teen Tumblr lurkers; when she got taste of mainstream success - I felt, ya know; a little over it.
Honestly I was more annoyed than anything that my Queen was being appreciated by people simply for her aesthetic and not for her musicianship. Ton’s of posts about how pretty she is, and how different she is and how they love all of her music (when in reality Summertime Sadness, Cola and the dance remix was all they’ve heard heard). But the haters were even worse. People who thought she was hipster trash and fake and the whole nine yards. Like, really - Lana fake? Look at other mainstream artists, who note I refuse to call out by name because we’re all entitled to like who we like.
Long story short, Lana is my Queen because she truly sticks to her guns as an artist. She really has a sound all her own. Some may say her work “all sounds the same” and I would argue that’s just her not being a sell out. And why change something when it’s already perfect? And if you think all her stuff sounds alike I advise you use some of my pirate skills and find her unreleased work. It’s provocative; daring - and a shame it hasn’t been released publicly ( I strongly recommend you find the song Dum Dum. It’s lit).
Lana’s artistry is so strong that she was able to convince a major label to release Ultraviolence the way it was because they were convinced it wouldn’t sell. Boy, did she show them. So as long as Lana continues to stick to her true self, she’ll remain my Queen. Mainstream or not, 'cus I’ve grown up and realized that’s not what matters. Shed a tear for my maturity and eat, pray, Lana; folks.
Honestly I was more annoyed than anything that my Queen was being appreciated by people simply for her aesthetic and not for her musicianship. Ton’s of posts about how pretty she is, and how different she is and how they love all of her music (when in reality Summertime Sadness, Cola and the dance remix was all they’ve heard heard). But the haters were even worse. People who thought she was hipster trash and fake and the whole nine yards. Like, really - Lana fake? Look at other mainstream artists, who note I refuse to call out by name because we’re all entitled to like who we like.
Long story short, Lana is my Queen because she truly sticks to her guns as an artist. She really has a sound all her own. Some may say her work “all sounds the same” and I would argue that’s just her not being a sell out. And why change something when it’s already perfect? And if you think all her stuff sounds alike I advise you use some of my pirate skills and find her unreleased work. It’s provocative; daring - and a shame it hasn’t been released publicly ( I strongly recommend you find the song Dum Dum. It’s lit).
Lana’s artistry is so strong that she was able to convince a major label to release Ultraviolence the way it was because they were convinced it wouldn’t sell. Boy, did she show them. So as long as Lana continues to stick to her true self, she’ll remain my Queen. Mainstream or not, 'cus I’ve grown up and realized that’s not what matters. Shed a tear for my maturity and eat, pray, Lana; folks.
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