American

My November 2012 Song of the Month

American by Lana del Rey

I waited until the very last day of November to finalize my selection for the song of the month, although I was pretty certain I’d be picking something from Lana del Rey’s new Paradise release. I’ve been eagerly awaiting it since I discovered Born to Die last April and made the title track my song of that month. I’m entranced by how her songs interlace world-weary sadness and a used-up street-worn sensibility with cheeky youth.

If it weren’t for the choice of a different body part instead of “lips” to kick off Cola, I’d pick that song as my favorite. But Lana (and her management) made the choice to be explicit for the publicity, no doubt. I’m too much of a schoolteacher to want to hear some words in songs when others do just as well…and leave more to the imagination. Witness how I like the bowdlerized Forget You from Cee-Lo Green over the original version and wince any time Aimee Mann drops a cuss word into one of her songs. If Wal-Mart or another market force convinced Lana to release a “lips” version of Cola, I’d buy it in an instant in preference over the kitty cat version.

So my choice from the new album is American, which reminds me of the album version of National Anthem, another favorite from the Born to Die album. I especially like how she borrows one of the best lines from Tom Petty’s Mary Jane’s Last Dance.

But I have a feeling over time Cola will rack up more plays in my iTunes library, explicit or not.

VIDEO:

Play house, put my favorite record on
Get down, get your crystal method on

You were like tall, tan, driving ‘round the city
flirtin’ with the girls like you’re so pretty

Springsteen is the King don’t ya think
I was like ‘hell yeah that guy can sing’
like ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

You make me crazy, you make me wild
Just like a baby, spin me round like a child
Your skin so gold and brown
Be Young Be Dope Be Proud
Like an American

Drive fast, I can almost taste it now
L.A, I don’t even have to fake it now

You were like so sick, everybody said it
You were way ahead of the trend, get get it

Elvis is the best, hell yes
Honey put on that party dress
like ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

You make me crazy, you make me wild
Just like a baby, spin me round like a child
Your skin so gold and brown
Be Young Be Dope Be Proud
Like an American

Everybody wants to go fast
But they can’t compare

I don’t really want the rest
Only you can take me there

I don’t even know what I’m saying
But I’m praying for you

You make me crazy, you make me wild
Just like a baby, spin me round like a child
Your skin so gold and brown
Be Young Be Dope Be Proud
Like an American