"National Anthem" | ||||
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Single by Lana Del Rey | ||||
from the album Born to Die | ||||
Released | June 15, 2012 | |||
Genre | Alternative hip hop | |||
Length | 3:51 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Lana Del Rey singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"National Anthem" on YouTube |
"National Anthem" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). It was released as a single on June 15, 2012, through Interscope Records as the album's fourth single.
The music video for the song premiered on June 27, 2012. It is directed by Anthony Mandler. It depicts Del Rey as Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy and ASAP Rocky as John F. Kennedy. [1] It portrays the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Positive reviews noted the song's critical evaluation of lavish lifestyles, noting its contribution to the lyrical and thematic structure of the album as a whole.
In the chorus, Del Rey sings, "Tell me I'm your national anthem / Red, white, blue's in the sky / Summer's in the air, baby, heaven's in your eyes." [2] At the close of the recording is a multi-layered narrative treatment. [2] The introduction features the classic rendition "Happy Birthday Mr. President" as performed by Marilyn Monroe. [2] Unlike the other songs on Born to Die, Del Rey employs an alternative rapping technique, hip hop beat and heavy basslines, similar to that of "Off to the Races" [3] and "Diet Mountain Dew". [4] Pitchfork Media said the rapping technique was almost "chatting". [4]
Vocally, NME observed that Del Rey sings like a "perfect mannequin" on "National Anthem", criticizing the track for baldly revisiting the beat-driven chorus of "Born to Die". Further, NME praised certain elements of the track, saying: "As she sings of a relationship of a well-heeled man and a blank canvas woman, she invokes not only the dreamland of the monied classes (The Hamptons) and their could-be motto 'Money is the anthem of success' but also invokes the spectre of Vietnam with a reference to 'The Queen Of Saigon'." [2] Digital Spy called the running theme of Born to Die, "demonic Stepford moll", which "National Anthem" fit into. [6] The track was praised for having a: "laconic, anaesthetised vocal that conjures up images of her swigging from a bottle of Hendricks. There's a deep sadness underneath the sweeping string section and gangster hip-hop beats, but it's the chorus's fleeting glimpse of euphoria that'll keep you coming back." [6]
On the Fourth of July, the song gains more attention due to its name being reminiscent of the American National Anthem. On 4 July 2017, the song received 58x times the daily average number of views. [7]
The music video for "National Anthem" was directed by Anthony Mandler in May 2012. [8] It premiered on June 27, 2012. [9] Mandler stated the concept was Del Rey's and that she was "really interested in exploring this loss of innocence, this idea that what you think you're experiencing is maybe not what it's always going to be. Because when you say 'Kennedy,' that immediately evokes something, just like when I say 'It's a Romeo and Juliet story.' So I think using that power, that pedigree of the story is a really fascinating place to show the loss of something, the breakdown of something." [1]
Mandler described the video as being seen "through [Onassis'] eyes, seeing this kind of castle crumble in the moment, and that shot where she's coming up out of the car, and the pain in her eyes, that destruction, it's like the whole castle is crumbling around her." [1] Del Rey cited the video as "definitely the most beautiful thing" she's ever done. [10] Del Rey wrote the treatment for herself and ASAP Rocky saying "he'd be really perfect to star in it." [10]
The video was premiered on June 27, 2012, through Noisey magazine's YouTube channel. [7]
The video begins with Del Rey performing as Marilyn Monroe in a re-enactment of Monroe's infamous 1962 performance of "Happy Birthday, Mr. President". The rest of the video depicts Del Rey as Jacqueline Kennedy and rapper ASAP Rocky as John F. Kennedy in re-enactments of home videos during which they party on yachts, lay out by the pool, and run on the beach with their three small children. [11] The video ends with a re-enactment of the infamous Zapruder film showing Kennedy's assassination and Del Rey reading from a love letter addressed to Kennedy, which is written from the perspective of Onassis reflecting on her and Kennedy's relationship, saying "And I remember when I met him, it was so clear that he was the only one for me." As well as his charm and personality, saying "When he walked in... every woman's head turned, everyone stood up to talk to him." This monologue may be derived from a little known-letter from Jacqueline Onassis to her husband, but in fact the letter seen in the video is an original piece written by Lana Del Rey. [12]
In January 2015, Billboard named the video as one of the 20 best music videos of the 2010s (so far). [13] In December 2019, the magazine listed the video as the 11th greatest music video of the decade. [14] Pedestrian magazine called the video "the best music of the decade". [15] Harper's Bazaar ranked the video the sixth "most fashionable video of all time". [16]
Credits adapted from Born to Die liner notes. [19]
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [20] | 40 |
France (SNEP) [21] | 152 |
UK Singles (OCC) [22] | 92 |
US Rock Songs ( Billboard ) [23] | 37 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [24] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [25] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [26] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [27] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Year | Awards ceremony | Award | Results | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | UK Music Video Awards | Best Pop Video – International | Nominated | [28] |
Best Styling in a Video | Nominated |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Italy | June 15, 2012 | Radio airplay | Universal | [29] |
United Kingdom | July 6, 2012 | Digital download | Polydor | [17] |
July 9, 2012 | Picture disc | [18] |
A major American icon, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis has been portrayed, alluded to, and referred to in many media in the popular culture from the 1960s and continuing into the 21st century.
Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer and songwriter. Her music is noted for its cinematic quality and exploration of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia, with frequent references to pop culture and 1950s–1970s Americana. Her vintage Hollywood glamour aesthetic is showcased in her music videos. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award, three MTV Europe Music Awards, two Brit Awards, two Billboard Women in Music, and a Satellite Award, in addition to nominations for eleven Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Variety honored her at their Hitmakers Awards for being "one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 21st century". In 2023, Rolling Stone placed Del Rey on their list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time", while their sister publication Rolling Stone UK named her as "The Greatest American Songwriter of the 21st century".
"Video Games" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her second studio album and major label debut, Born to Die (2012). The song was produced by Robopop, while the lyrics were written by Del Rey and Justin Parker. It was first released to the Internet on May 5, 2011, and was later released on her extended play, Lana Del Rey. The song was re-released as the lead single from her second studio album, Born to Die, on October 7, 2011, through Interscope Records. "Video Games" is a baroque pop, dream pop, and downtempo ballad where the protagonist who, despite being ignored by her significant other, resolves to love him regardless.
"Born to Die" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from her debut major-label and second studio album of the same name. The song was released as the singer's second single on December 30, 2011, through Interscope Records. Musically, "Born to Die" is a pop and trip hop ballad that speaks of a doomed relationship. Critics noted that it features apocalyptic lyrics and strings similar to John Barry compositions. It received a mixed to positive reception from contemporary critics, who praised the song's cinematic arrangement and haunting vocal performance by Del Rey. In 2019, Billboard included the song as one of the 100 songs that defined the 2010s, adding that it influenced "a sonic shift that completely changed the pop landscape". In the United Kingdom, "Born to Die" became Del Rey's second top 10 single, when it peaked at No. 9 for the week ending February 4, 2012.
Born to Die is the second and debut major-label studio album by American singer-songwriter, and record producer Lana Del Rey. It was released on January 27, 2012, through Interscope Records and Polydor Records. A reissue of the album, subtitled The Paradise Edition, was released on November 9, 2012. The new material from the reissue was also made available on a separate EP titled Paradise.
Michael Thomas Volpe, known professionally as Clams Casino, is an American record producer and songwriter from Nutley, New Jersey. Volpe is known for his work in production for several cloud rap artists in the early 2010s. He signed with Columbia Records to release his debut studio album, 32 Levels (2016), which narrowly entered the Billboard 200. He has produced songs for artists including ASAP Rocky, Lil B, Vince Staples, Joji, the Weeknd, and Mac Miller, and has remixed songs for Big K.R.I.T., Washed Out, and Lana Del Rey.
Long. Live. ASAP is the debut studio album by American rapper ASAP Rocky. It was released on January 15, 2013, by ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music, and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, Drake, Big K.R.I.T., Santigold, Overdoz, Yelawolf, Florence Welch, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Joey Badass, Gunplay, and ASAP Ferg. The album's production was handled by Rocky himself, Hector Delgado, Hit-Boy, Clams Casino, Jim Jonsin, T-Minus, Danger Mouse, 40, Skrillex, and Emile Haynie, among other high-profile producers.
"Summertime Sadness" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). The pop ballad was released on June 22, 2012, by Interscope Records as the fourth single of the album. In the spring of 2013, "Summertime Sadness" reached number one in Poland, Ukraine and Armenia. Charting across Europe, the single reached the top 10 in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Trap and house remixes of "Summertime Sadness" helped Del Rey break into the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. That chart is where Del Rey's song became a modest hit and marked her first foray into the chart. On the accompanied Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, the single gave Del Rey her first US number-one single in August 2013. In September 2021, the song was ranked number 456 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
"Ride" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her third extended play (EP), Paradise (2012). The song was written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker, while produced by Rick Rubin, the song served as the reissue's first single on September 25, 2012 through Interscope Records. "Ride" is a soulful ballad that thematically involves parental problems, alcohol consumption, and loneliness. The cover for the song depicts Del Rey on a tire swing, wearing cowboy boots and a denim jacket.
Paradise is the third extended play (EP) by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on November 9, 2012, in Australasia and November 11, 2012, worldwide by Polydor & Interscope. It was additionally packaged with the reissue of her major-label debut studio album, Born to Die (2012), titled Born to Die: The Paradise Edition. Grant enlisted collaborators including producers Rick Nowels, Justin Parker and Rick Rubin. The EP's sound has been described as baroque pop and trip hop.
"Bel Air" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey. It appears on her third extended play, Paradise. Featuring clips from the "Summertime Sadness" music video, a promotional video for "Bel Air" was released to YouTube in early November 2012. The video has received much critical acclaim. After the release of Paradise, the song charted in the United Kingdom and France.
Tropico is a 2013 musical short film directed by Anthony Mandler, based on the Biblical story of sin and redemption. Split into three chapters, the film was written by Lana Del Rey, who also starred alongside Shaun Ross. Del Rey plays a dual role, portraying the biblical figure of Eve, as well as Mary, the mother of Jesus, while Ross stars as Adam. The film is set to three songs from Del Rey's 2012 extended play (EP) Paradise.
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American singer, director and occasional actress Lana Del Rey has appeared in 55 music videos, one documentary film, six short films, seven magazine films, and three commercials, as well as directing a bulk of her work. Del Rey's first appearance was in the short film Poolside (2010) as Lisa, a rich girl who spends her days smoking cigarettes by the pool. She received top billing for the project. Del Rey then went on to write the treatment for two music films, Ride (2012) and Tropico (2013), which were directed by Anthony Mandler. In 2015, Del Rey served as the executive producer of the film Hi, How Are You Daniel Johnston?. She then made appearances as a performer in Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen and in The King as herself.
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"God Save Our Young Blood" is a song by American recording artist Børns featuring the vocals of American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. The song was produced by Tommy English and written by Børns and Thomas Schleiter. The song was their second collaboration on the album and was later released as the fourth single off the record.
"Groupie Love" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey featuring American rapper ASAP Rocky featured on her fifth studio album Lust for Life. The song was released for digital download on July 12, 2017, alongside "Summer Bummer", another collaboration between the two alongside Playboi Carti, as a promotional single with the pre-order of the album. The song was later sent to Italian radio on July 28, 2017 as the album's fourth single. The song was written by the artists and Rick Nowels, who produced it with Del Rey, Emile Haynie, Kieron Menzies, Hector Delgado, and Dean Reid.
"Hallucinogenics" is a song by American singer-songwriter Matt Maeson. The official remix features the vocals of American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. The song appears on Maeson's debut album, Bank on the Funeral (2019).
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