The media has made such a stink about Lana Del Rey. Critics say she lacks talent and doesn’t deserve the attention she’s receiving. I think their reaction is more telling than anything else. Why does the media crucify women it deems to have stepped out of line?
Putting aside the controversy, this music video for “Video Games” is heart-tugging – full of lush imagery of an idealized America circa 1960’s Hollywood. (Admittedly it may hold more appeal to me personally since it’s the the stuff of my father’s childhood.) It’s the American Dream of youth, innocence and endless possibility which is easily forgotten in this era of class warfare and political uncertainty. Is it any surprise her music and videos have struck a chord?
1 response so far ↓
1 Liza // Feb 17, 2012 at 7:25 pm
I agree that the music video is full of beautiful nostalgia, and it does strike a strong chord with me. I’m intrigued by this song. The lyrics, especially paired with the music video give me complex mixed signals- I see/hear a young naive girl using her innocence (symbolized by images of a swing in a backyard, a sundress, video games, words like “bestest” and the way she stares into the camera as she sings) as a sexual lure. She uses this female attribute and seems to be aware of using it. I get subtle and intelligent layers of meaning and I think this song scratches at a troubling and innate female experience. There seems to be a dangerous messiness that can accompany an attractive young woman in love, kind of like the image of the drunk and stumbling 60’s starlet from the music video.
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