Planning - Lyric analysis

 When I was considering which song to choose for my video, the lyrics were very important. By considering the lyrics, it creates more meaning to the video.  This will allow me to to consider the shots and general narrative, when relating to the lyrics. I will use representation in my video to do this. 

The actual narrative behind the lyrics is about a woman who is in love with two men.  I recently watched an interview with Lana Del Rey where she discusses this narrative. She discusses that its about one male that she is currently in a relationship and the other male one from an old relationship, who she is still in love with.  Although she loves her current boyfriend, she also wishes the relationship with the old one had turned out differently. She goes on to explain how the relationship was, which is explained in the verses, then how she wishes it was; explained in the chorus. 
This is not the narrative I wish to use for my video, however the lyrics tie in with my narrative and what I plan to represent through shots. 


The first verse begins to explain the old relationship.  It is described as though the woman is doing everything to impress him, however he doesn't pay her enough attention or acknowledgement; preferring to play video games. "I'm in his favourite sun dress, watching me get undressed" These lines show the idea of this.  She wears his favourite sundress, in order to impress him and get his attention. However, the next part of the lyrics shows the male isn't interested in her sundress and prefers her undressed, to have sex with her; "take that body downtown". The idea behind this links to my video in that, the woman in my video is obsessed with the male and will do anything for him. This is how she gets into drugs and a toxic lifestyle.  He isn't as interested in her and likes to control her as he knows how much she loves him.  These lyrics represent my narrative in that, when the first verse is playing, the shots I intend to use will show the woman dressed up to impress him and looking adoringly at him.  However, the shots of the male will never capture him looking or acting towards her in the same manner. 


The Chorus goes on to display Lana's loyalty to her lover and her commitment to his happiness.  However, she remains unappreciated as her lover is always more interested in 'video games'.  "it's you, it's you, it's all for you" is a line that links to my narrative in the the woman would do anything for the male; the drugs, the fallings out, how controlling her, her getting dressed up, etc. When the lyrics say "I heard that you like the bad girls, Honey, is that true?" its as though she is gathering information on what she can do to please him.  If the male likes bad girls, they don't do what they are told.  Therefore, the lyrics show the girl asking questions in order to change herself to gain his attention. This line is represented in my narrative as the woman changes herself by losing her innocence for the man; she begins doing drugs etc. This will be shown in many shots, including blurred POV shots from the woman's perspective, showing that she is on drugs.  It will also be shown through the happy innocent shots of her at the beginning and the drugged up ones of her at the end.  
    

The next verse refers to Lanas past, when she first began her career singing in old jazz bars and met her ex, who was very rich.  When she met this man, she stopped 'swinging in the backyard' and started 'swinging with the old stars'.  This line links with the fame side of my video. It then goes on to talk about how her life is peak at night, when they can be intimate.  Also, linking with my video as mine intends to be set heavily at night and shows some intimacy.  The lyrics then go on to explain how she gets into a state where she drinks too much and depends on the man to look after her; 'He holds me in his big arms, drunk and I am seeing stars'.  This is represented in my video through the female relying on the male, when she is drugged up.  This will be shown in shots from the paparazzi's point of view of the couple.  As the female becomes more involved in drugs and drink, she becomes more dependent on the male and what she is doing becomes more clear in the public eye.  The general meaning I have inferred from these lyrics is that the woman has changed herself to meet the males standards, in order to please him and get his attention.  She is now glamorous and not as innocent, like in the first verse.  She has also started to be a 'bad girl', like suggested in the first verse.  She has done this through drinking.  She has also done this by playing games with life and love; mind games.  This is referenced at the end of the verse 'This is my idea of fun, Playing video games'.  This narrative links to mine as the woman in my video is changing herself to please the male, by doing drugs and changing herself.  Not only will this be displayed in the shots I intend too use (POV, close ups, over the shoulder etc.), but also through location and costume.  The women is seen as glamorous and innocent at the start, but becomes less as it goes on; no longer having a face full of make up or in glamorous dresses.  The male maintains is attire throughout.  The locations being not at perfect at the end as at the beginning; seen in dirty places at the end e.g. drug dens.    

Overall the general meaning suggested through the lyrics of Lana's song, heavily relates to what is represented in my video.  I can use this by using shots which link to the lyrics, as well as working with my narrative.