From Inspired to Inspiring: A Spotlight On Lana Del Rey
This article was initially outlined to explore finding inspiration in music in general. However, two paragraphs into writing, I realized that I could not talk about how music inspires me without giving centre stage to Lana Del Rey.
MUSIC
Throughout the day, we pass through a spectrum of moods guided by a carousel of music, like flipping through radio channels on autopilot. Whether it is on our routine commute, the playlist at a cafe, the elevator music in salons and lobbies, or the quirky tunes of advertising jingles. But, what about those songs that sneak into our hearts? —You know, you’re casually sipping mimosas, nodding along to your friend’s brunch banter, when suddenly you find yourself involuntarily lost in a song playing in the background. But you can't just interrupt the conversation to Shazam it; that would be rude. So, you're left haunted by that elusive melody, wondering what that song was. I once went 265 days (to be exact) missing out on a silly song. Then, on the 266th day, there it was, casually playing in the background of some forgettable movie scene. I stopped whatever I was doing and reminisced about the exact moment I had missed it so closely.
Returning back to the point: the music that sticks with us. It finds its way into our playlists and our lives. We go back to it at nights when we are alone or if it’s a total banger, we play it at house parties to impress our friends. When you love a song, it typically does two things: it comforts you, or it inspires you. Being comforted by a song is a rather commonly experienced feeling. However, finding inspiration in an artist is like creating your own little universe.
Defining “Inspiration”
Inspiration often finds its origin in mysterious ways. You really cannot trace something back to its oldest precursor, at least not with absolute certainty. Remember when Chuck Palahniuk said, ‘Everything is a copy of a copy of a copy’, quoted in ___ (1999)? You are not merely a single entity, but a sum of the books you’ve read, the people you’ve met, the places you’ve been, the experiences you’ve undergone, and the music you’ve embraced. You are shaped by the unique path your inspirations have taken to reach you.
The Transcendental Nature of Art
I discovered the captivating Lana Del Rey in 2011 when she released her debut single ‘Video Games’. At that time, I was too young to fully comprehend why I was so drawn to an artist who would later be labelled as the ‘Sadcore Queen’. As I grew older, I would understand better and better why. Over the years, she has lived lavishly through her increasingly expansive discography. While she possesses idiosyncrasies that make her music instantly distinguishable and true to itself, the singer-songwriter has always been very open about drawing inspiration from legendary figures in music such as Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Dylan, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Amy Winehouse, Lou Reed, and Eminem. Additionally, she even alludes to her poetic lyricism being inspired by literary luminaries like Whitman and Sylvia Plath. If you find yourself in the right mood on any given day, you can notice the inklings of these influences in her songs and videos.
Her adoration of these artists is one thing, but there is a fundamental essence which is often palpable in her artistry. In her interview with Sirius XM in 2014, Del Rey reflected “When I was 11, I saw Kurt Cobain singing ‘Heart Shaped Box’ on MTV and it really stopped me dead in my tracks. And I thought he was the most beautiful person I had even seen. Even at a young age, I really related to his sadness. I felt like I was really searching for answers. And I thought I could see that in him, briefly, in 3 minutes and 42 seconds, or whatever. So, I saw him for the first time on TV when I was 11, and I never revisited his music again until I was about 17 or 18; and then when I did, it still meant just as much to me then and it’s continued to be my primary inspiration—in terms of not wanting to compromise lyrically or sonically.”
When I listened to this interview, I was at a loss for words. You see, I had a similar experience when I listened to Nirvana’s frontman Kurt Cobain singing ‘Where did you sleep last night?’ It was a YouTube video of the very performance on MTV that Del Rey referenced in the 2014 interview. I was shocked by how three human beings from three different generations, different parts of the world and cultures, stumbled into one emotional experience that intersected in time and space. It wasn't just about one song or one conversation; it was about an intrinsic connectedness that I, as a common listener of music, could find in two artists who also shared a similar connectedness. It made me ponder how transcendental art is and the power it holds over universal human connectedness. The indie artist turned Pop Icon Lana mirrors the grunge icon Kurt Cobain’s style and approach in understandable ways— characterized by her sultry yet sad, dark yet divine feminine, anti-culture yet Americana ways. Cobain was also famous for his own anti-culture, angsty and unconventional soundscapes.
Norm-Breaking Journey
Let’s face it. With female vocalists like Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga still dominating the charts well into the 2010s, and powerhouses like Adele, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift taking the reins, Elizabeth Grant's (AKA Lana) emergence with Born to Die in 2012 caught the world off guard. Her breathy, sensual singing and provocative lyrics initially unsettled audiences, yet little did the critics know she was just ahead of her time. While I can understand why her femme fatale and showbiz glamour persona might not have been well-received at the time, labelling her a fraud was premature and tasteless at best. Magazines like Pitchfork, after initially criticizing her as fake, later rescored Born to Die to a higher score and provided a more positive review, like that wasn’t messy at all. However, with only a smidge of pride, I would be delighted to report that Born to Die has held its place on the Billboard 200 for an astounding 520 weeks as of January 2024—a testament to its enduring impact.
Legacy and Influence
Despite not always receiving the recognition she deserved in the past; Lana's impact has only grown more apparent over time. Del Rey has paved the way for an entire generation to find their footing in the industry, to be embraced, celebrated, and loved. This exemplifies true feminism in the music industry—the opportunity for every category of woman to feel understood, not just those who conform to society's approved stereotypes. Figures like Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo openly express their admiration for Lana, acknowledging her profound impact on their own artistic journeys. When Olivia Rodrigo, barely old enough to legally sip on a margarita, belted out 'I’m pretty when I cry' in 'all-american bitch,' she wasn't just singing; she was paying homage to Lana’s legacy. Indeed, Lana herself often draws inspiration from her musical predecessors, infusing her compositions with nods and references. Even established artists recognize Lana's significance. During her acceptance speech for the Woman of the Decade award at the 2019 Billboard Women in Music Awards, Taylor Swift declared Lana Del Rey as 'the most influential artist in pop.' Swift highlighted Lana's vocal stylings, her evocative lyrics, and her distinctive aesthetics, all of which have left an indelible mark on the fabric of contemporary music.
Through her authenticity, she has cultivated a fandom often characterized as a 'cult,' devoid of marketing gimmicks, extravagant productions, or commercial world tours. Instead, she simply focuses on making music and inviting us into her world, creating a deeply intimate connection with her audience. So, if I may dare say it, her influence in the music industry is only a small part of the larger love her listeners have for her. She has not only used music for self-expression but also managed to channelize a sense of community, like a sanctuary for her fans time and again. For instance, when she sang these evocative lines in “Get Free”, the last song of Lust for Life (2017) — “This is my commitment/ my modern manifesto/ I'm doing it for all of us who never got the chance/ And all my birds of paradise/ Who never got to fly at night/ 'Cause they were caught up in the dance”, I knew I was one of her “birds of paradise”, and felt a continued sense of belonging that is unshakeable.
My Parting Thoughts
I personally feel fortunate to have followed such an artist since her inception and throughout her prime. Witnessing her journey of ups and downs, from a-young-lizzy-grant-singing-in-clubs-of-newyork to headlining coachella, I feel lucky to call myself a contemporary fan. While I regret not experiencing the birth and flourishing of Rock 'n' Roll Era, led by the worldwide legend, Elvis Presley and perpetuated by timeless rock bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Queen; much of that longing is assuaged when Lana drops a record. I feel certain that Lana will be remembered alongside those musicians from past eras who evoke envy and awe from future generations—generations who will yearn to have lived during her prime. They will look back wistfully, wishing they had experienced her talent firsthand, in real-time and real-life. This sentiment explains why heartfelt comments from young people on the internet about Lana resonate so deeply with some of us.
However, the glory I speak of was never handed to anyone freely. Criticism is like a non-negotiable first step. It may not seem great at first, but it’s what gets anyone noticed. Subsequently, this entire journey from criticism to critical acclaim follows a timeless arc, as patterned in the stories of legendary artists such as Elvis, Kurt Cobain, Eminem, and many others. These masters of their genres were not always revered as the golden gods they are today. Only those who dared to break rules and were bold enough to create unorthodox music have etched their names in the history of music.
Despite the judgments of detractors, award ceremonies, societal norms, political factions, and even hysterical parents, the fans have always come through. This league of artists is the ones who have shown the ropes to many, set the stage for many, created space for music to diversify and evolve into genres that birth fascinating talents, and inspire countless lives—most importantly, the lives of regular people like me.
Fun Fact: With an impressive 344 million views, the ‘Video Games’ music video was created using laptop cam recordings and a collection of clips, seemingly arranged in a random (yet purposeful) manner. Despite being released 12 years ago, its aesthetics are surprisingly reminiscent of today's popular style seen in Instagram reels, making it a fascinating precursor to current trends. Her defiance in continuing to create without conforming to mainstream expectations—whether in sound, lyrics, or videos—has added rich layers of aestheticism to her iconic persona; it has only strengthened her resolve to create music that is true to her artistic vision. Over the years, Del Rey has released a slew of astonishingly original studio albums, her music evolving as honestly as she has as a person.
