In 2014 she said in an interview she wished she was dead already. When the the interviewer said “you don’t mean that” she said “I do. I don’t want to keep doing this”. She received a lot of backlash for this but I remember appreciating so much how authentic she was being. I’ve also dealt with many of the same feelings and to see her keep going and thriving is such an inspiration.
Yes, and cause of it, she even had to change parts of the shades of Cool MV and use them in freak later. She really is an angel, wishing you the best! ^^
@@lightangelow1775 i think you're talking about the original ultraviolence MV being reworked into freak MV later? or is there in fact something there from shades of cool?
the groupie incognito posing as a real singer line is in reference to what people would say about her in her early career, that she wasn’t a real artists and was more of an image put together by a label🙏
Just like she sings about in her most recent album “I know they think that it took thousands of people to put me together again, like an experiment. Some big man behind the scenes, sewing Frankenstein’s black dreams into my songs- but they’re wrong.”
I really don't get how anyone thought that tbh. If she had been manufactured by a label, Born to Die would have sounded like standard radio-friendly pop, it would not be as innovative and unique as it was. It's like they just saw her stage name and look and assumed she must be fake
Speaking of Jim Morrison, Lana was OBSESSED with the 27 club. I even feel sometimes she kinda hoped that would be her. She was incredibly suicidal early on during her career… Maybe she felt like she needs to gain all this fame before she goes out so her life would have had some meaning. Maybe it would be interesting for you to look into her poetry. In the poem Tessa DiPietro she mentions Jim Morrison again, performing at the Hollywood Bowl, and she specifically says “Jim died at 27, so find another frame of reference when you’re referencing heaven”. I honestly think the song she wrote early on which was recently released Say Yes to Heaven is about fame, acclaim, love - “I’ve got my eye on you”, sounds like a goal to me rather than a lover. In her newest song with her dad Hollywood Bowl she sings “Why wait for Heavеn when I can have Heavеn right here like I'm told?” it sounds to me like she found a different meaning for heaven😁 the 27 club gained even more fame after their deaths… Why should she do that when she can experience heaven on earth right now?
Also in a clip a couple of years ago Lana Del Rey said “I have so many diaries, if they were ever found, all of my boyfriends would absolutely be in prison”
I feel as though she’s lived many lives, but the fact now she’s a happy peaceful 38 year old in LA is amazing. I wonder if she ever thinks about all the corners of life she’s touched before, all the experiences she’s had. It isn’t our business, but she’s so intriguing - this person with all these past issues, personalities, who creates every type of art. Sonically and lyrically - how much that she’s made and how much she’s explored, even with all the things in her head and out.
Women love bad boys and outlaws until they start doing bad boy and outlaw shit. It's that simple. Speaking as and ex-convict and street punker, I've seen this over and over again.
Hey everyone! I am the infamous Bradley lol. Thank you so much mere for reacting! It’s a very dark song but I believe it really does show the true colors of LA that no one wants to talk about.
You should really react to Tropico! It’s a 30 min short film with 3 of her songs and lots of poetry. It’s full of bible and pop culture references and she well explains the land of Gods and Monsters. She’s wasn’t f* up as it seems, she was aware ;) I love you reactions! Thank u so much and luv from Brazil 🇧🇷♥️
"Gods and Monsters" was a perfect one to tackle on the heels of the "Candy Necklace" video. Was Lana 27 when G&M came out? (Thank god she didn't join the 27 Club! She's a survivor). I love the literary references she throws into the middle of this Southern California snake pit: Nietzsche ("God's dead")....Milton ("innocence lost" alludes to "Paradise Lost". You probably know that Lana has the word "paradise" tattooed on one hand and "trust no one" on the other). "Cola" is a great song that Lana has since "retired" from performing live in the wake of the MeToo movement (not many writers could seamlessly insert Harvey Weinstein into a Beatles song!)
For a better understanding I recommend watching the whole Tropico short film, there are three songs (this one included) telling one single history and is literally BRILLIANT the reflection that she brings with so many symbols!
I always interpreted this song in a more positive way. Whether god here is a religious god or the gods of Hollywood, "Me and god, we don't get along, so now I sing" says "I'm just going to sing my songs, tell my story, and be myself whether the gods that be like it or not. The "no one's gonna take my soul away" is saying that whatever she has to do to live her life and make her art, she's not going to let "them" win. I think she's at least telling herself that if she has to play the game, or sleep her way to the top, she will do it as a calculated move, and not a helpless victim. She is ok with not being perceived as pure if it gets her what she wants.
Whenever ppl say they miss the old Lana it rlly bothers me bc clearly she’s in a much better state now, the music rlly shows her growth especially now it sounds like she’s in a much better state
She’s even explicitly stated that she’s so much happier now. She used to be anorexic, suicidal, etc. and now she’s medicated/getting treatment for her mental illness, recovered from her ed, doing what she loves, and just grooving!
Hi Mere! I think you really need to watch Tropico to fully understand it. It's a MV composed of 3 songs, one of them is God's and Monsters. It'll make sense, and you'll understand the "garden of evel" and and what's about "doing anything I needed".
She's clearly in a better place today...I mean, I still listen to those old songs but her songwriting has gotten so much better and the topics too. I suggest you react to Violets for Roses ❤
@@KernelHughes thank you. just because the subject matter was dark and often unhealthy does not mean she wasn't a skilled songwriter, honestly tired of this logical fallacy in lana fandom.
I think she actually meant the "living like Jim Morrison" part. She was pretty depressed and suicidal in the beginning of her early career, she also struggled with alcoholism when she was a teenager. The "it's innocent lost" always gives me chills, it's the perfect summary of the whole song. I've been little insistent about Textbook too, can we get that next? 😅
hey mere, i just watched your reaction of ‘Change’ and i’m in tears. i’m finding it hard right now to see a clear path for my life and i feel a deep pit in my chest with the emotions and thoughts i’m battling, but listening to the song and your examinations is helping me deal with my feelings at the moment. thank you for your videos, and thank you for you. ❤
since you mentioned Harvey Weinstein, there's a song "Cola" from the same album Gods&Monsters is from and Lana mentions Harvey in the lyrics of this song. People speculate that this song may be about him. Lana stopped performing this song after Weinstein's crimes have been revealed
I really don’t think there’s much for Mere to react to there…. I really hope people don’t keep asking her to react to Cola, because I seriously think the lyrics would turn her off from Lana forever
Gods and Monsters and Living Legend are my favorite songs from her, i have suggested you reacting to them in other membership videos as well, i thank you and humbly request you to listen to living legend as well, either way i was very happy to see this notification ad i loved your reaction and interpretation. This song is about the dark side of the industry, the high price of fame, Hollywood and the need to be reinvented by the industry to survive, a loss of innocence and corruption of her ideals and vision as an artist. Taking Hollywoods fame seed can turn you into a god or a monster, that s what i feel reporting to this song. Events that happened in similar ways to other artists as well so i see this song as her way of taking refuge within this fallen state so she avoids degrading herself with self negative talk and thinking. However,she was poorly recieved due to the fact that she portrayed how damaged a person can become when in contact with certain personas in their life i feel she was raising awareness with it and accentuating the fact that celebrities are humans too. Sorry for the long comment i really love this song! Wishing you the best Mere!
Many people won' take the time to read long comments in our Twitterized sound-byte culture, but I love thoughtful comments like yours😊 (A few weeks ago somebody complained about my 'long-ass' paragraphs in a DM. I told this person people pay me to write like this. They just seem long read on a smartphone)
@myopia2020 Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Looking back, I can see why this can be an issue. I got carried away as it is about one of my fav songs. I ll def be aware of it next time! ^^
Yes and thank you for the comments on this because Lana's fans know her deeply and really understand the ins and outs more than me since I'm trying to decipher on first listen. I really appreciate it! sending you love!
my FAVORITE Lana song! So happy you finally did this song! (how i take the song) The Jim Morrison & holiday part refers to him dying on July 3rd, right before the 4th. Its like she's living parallel life styles once being in this land of evil. if she keeps living like this then shes headed towards that effed up holiday of july 3rd like Jim. She was in a deep place but also was aware. Realizing that even though the fame liquor love is making it "easier" its also leading to the end. Which is what i think the base of the song is about. I relate simply from dealing with depression/addiction and it feels like the moment when youre almost so low but you realize this isnt the answer. This song does something to me like no other song does.
So my best friend who is a recovering addict and has a birthday one day before Lana …cusp Gemini and Cancer … she says when she relapses she missed her secret life and secret friends in the drug world , and part of recovery is dealing with that craving to just ‘ be bad’ … this song for sure reminds me of this situation !
Listen to Dark But Just A Game. It really shows the same topic but her growth on the subject. How she isn’t going to be like the others. Her growth is mind blowing!!!
babeeee, i NEED your reactiong and analysis of "Tropico" by lana, its a short movie from the btd/paradise era and it gives so much inside informations of the pre-lana del rey life she had in a very biblically driven and imagetic way. pretty pleaseeee
I think The line " God's Dead baby thats alright with me" is inspired from the philosopher Nietzche. Contrary to the statement, it is actually positive. It means that life is meaningless AND it is up to us to find our own meaning in life and that there is no absolute rule what life is supposed to mean. It is entirely up to you. Lana was also stated to study metaphysics so that kinda explains how she incorporated some philosophy. "I'd rather know what God knows" - Pawn Shop Blues by lana *God's Dead* *God remains dead* *We have killed Him* -Nietzche
i’d love to see you react to her short film ‘tropico’! it’s body electric, gods & monsters, and bel air with tons of amazing imagery and spoken word, similar to the ride music video.
I think the ‘posing as a real singer’ line is a reference to imposter syndrome, which I think also ties into the line ‘if I get a little prettier, can I be your baby?’ - like she doesn’t feel worthy of it
I was in love with this song when I had 12 years old and i still love it even tho that time she sang very depressed stuff, please mere react to Mitski (first love/late spring) is amazing ❤
imo this song is like how she coped when she was in a very bad place. If I remember correctly, Nietzsche’s “God’s dead” is how he views that the value shall come from our own exploration and discovery, not by an institution i.e. religion (God). So, it’s like she used this notion to cope with the shitty things that were happening. “I feel ashamed but there’s no other choices. Either I accept this reality and go with it or go insane” sorta thing. First heard this song when I was still recovering from Major Depression and this interpretation kinda helped me get better. Oh, and her song Ride as well.
I think the line where she talks about, not getting along with God refers to the fact that she wanted to be a poet, but it never worked out for her. So now she’s a singer.
It is an absolute necessity for you to listen to "violets for roses"!! I love the songs where you can clearly see the healthy growth Lana has been through, which is shown throughout her discography as well :))
this song is about those who have had their heart and souls broken, about who had lost a loved one, about those who are lost not knowing what to do, about those who want to give up so badly but somehow are holding on. about those who have a pure heart despite the bad things they’ve done, about those who have been through some kind of trauma and didn’t recovered… only the broken ones will feel and understand this song.
I think you are spot on. Sonically, this is one of my favorites but lyrically it’s really hopeless and empty. The Tropico video segment for this track alludes to this as well.
Yes, she is so amazing. Her music is so haunting and this is the only reason I don’t always listen to her as much as I’d like to. Cuz it sticks with me so much and makes me feel so many things. This was a good suggestion. Thx for your reaction. :)
I think it’s misogyny that people thought and still think she doesn’t write her own songs. People think Courtney Love was just a groupie and that Curt Cobain basically did everything for her. Some people think that because Lana is really pretty and has a nice wardrobe that she’s just a model.
Copy and pasting an explanation of this song that I left in a reply to a different comment or. I hope this is helpful!! : The lyrical content of the song is meant to be a sort of exposè on the inner workings of LA and how its “Gods and Monsters” (like Harvey Weinstein) take angels like her, who shine like a beacon for them to sink their talons into and rob them of their innocence. It’s about how the big men in the industry ruin young girls like her by making them get cosmetic surgeries “If I get a little prettier, can I be your baby?” getting them into drugs, etc etc. all the while instilling them with this sort of imposter syndrome that keeps them dependent on the Gods and Monsters, their money and their drugs: “like a groupie incognito, posing as a real singer.” The whole idea is that these “angels,” like her, enter this “garden of evil” desperate, “screwed up, scared, doing anything that [they] need” to get what they’re looking for, and before they know it, they get swept up in the fame game. She references Jim Morrison, not as a means to romanticize his lifestyle, but as a reminder that what she’s singing about ISN'T romantic- it’s tragic and it ruins lives. The “fucked up holiday” she’s headed towards is meant to parallel the fact that Jim Morrison himself died while holidaying in France. She’s basically insinuating that she’s heading directly towards her on death/demise here. When she sings about how “this is heaven,” it’s entirely ironic in a very retrospective and self aware sort of way, because she herself referred to this place as “the garden of evil” in the first few lines of the song. Her new “heaven” comes at a price, and she realizes this by the end of each chorus when she reminds us “it’s innocence lost.” The songs itself is absolutely rife with Biblical and pop culture references, with nearly every lyric referencing a different artist or author or movie she looks up to/is inspired by. It’s a cautionary tale, and definitely not meant to portray a lifestyle that she wants her listeners to support or endorse! I know other commenters have told you this before, but Lana’s collarbones are tattooed with the names Whitney, Amy, Billie, and Nina, as a means to pay homage to Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone. All these women, minus Nina, died young at the hands of substance abuse that wreaked havoc on their lives. As I’m sure you surmised from the Candy Necklaces music video, Lana is very sensitive to this sort of subject/theme in the industry, especially since it could’ve been her, too. But that’s just my interpretation! Again, I hope this provides helpful insight!!!
i thoroughly recommend listening to her albums in chronological order to see how far she has come. If you compare one of her earlier albums like paradise to nfr, you can see just how much she has changed as a person
Id love to see you react to Swan Song by Lana Del Rey, its one of my favourite songs of her. It's about finding beauty in giving up and this song has been so relatable in my past.
In a self contained listen to this song, these are definitely the thoughts I had as well. I would however recommend the Tropico short film, it offers a focused perspective on how this song fits into her intention of the Paradise EP and I think her deep beliefs(at least at the time). Thank you for all the work you do Mere! Love your content!
@@alessio1732 It’s a lot more hopeful and appreciative of Lana’s blessings like family than her earlier albums are. A lot of the songs are lighter imo 🤷🏼♀️
It's the same lyrics, but I feel they take on a *slightly* different meaning when Jessica sings it. As much as I love Lana's voice, I love Jessica's version even more. It has more of a raw maturity to it. Jessica has had one hell of a crazy life, as a bohemian artist traveling the world and indulging in sex, drugs, and rock n' roll as a young woman before being discovered by the Hollywood machine and thrust into stardom, only to be saddled with the "dumb blonde" cliche. Then managed to rise above the Hollywood BS and prove herself as a true artistic genius. So, it's pretty on the nose for her. Ryan Murphy definitely makes some questionable choices, but having her sing that song is one of his best ones.
You’re literally shining. You’re giving off a much much much brighter aura, so here for it. Gods & monsters is such a good song and I’m glad someone recommended it and I’m so interested in the way you analyzed it (you always catch my attention). This song kind of “Relates” to Fuck3d my way up to the top - Ultraviolence. Which is a song where she pretty much talks about how she had s3x (I have no idea if she wanted to have it or not) in the industry. I’m so glad you answered to my comment where I recommended you to react to a bunch of FKA Twigs songs, I’m still over the moon rn. I just know that I won’t ever be much invasive, if I want to recommend a song I’ll just do it in 2/3 comments, I don’t want to be pressing. Whenever you post a video I’m happy, honestly, doesn’t matter which song you react to. I’d have a thousand songs to recommend but I bet you already have many requests, love u ❤️❤️
She has another song from Paradise that I think sounds like a more depressing version of this one called Yayo. I think that relates back to the Jim Morrison line in this song (who died of a hero!n overdose) because the term Yayo is associated with that drug. Yayo is literally the most depressing song I have ever heard 😶 It would be interesting to hear your reaction (it’s a little deeper than Gods and Monsters) but please don’t do it if it will leave you feeling awful!
I think this song makes more sense when you watch the tropics, a short film that recreates the history of the book of the Bible, Genesis, the knowledge of sin, life in sin and divine redemption
I think this song is about how women are treated in the music industry. How some of them feel like they need to use their bodies to have a successful career. And all the pressure that women feel in an industry that is so controlled by men.
Lana's earlier albums will forever hold a dear and special place in my heart. But I don't understand why people consistently request you to react to those. I feel like her last 4-5 albums are so much more layered and mature. With that being said, as multiple people have already mentioned, also on this video, there's lots to be said for listening to her discography in order.
I agrée. I’d listen to them in order. I think Gods and Monsters is one of her best songs so thanks Bradley for recommending it. I don’t take the lyrics to exactly what she’s experienced but rather about what she observed when she moved to LA.
Exactly! Mere has such insightful things to say about Lana’s lyrics- we should be asking her to react to NFR and Blue Banisters, not songs about drugs and daddies 😅 don’t get me wrong, I have great respect for Lana’s earlier works, as well as her journey as an artist- but I have the CONTEXT to understand what I’m listening to!! Mere only really has what people give her in the comments
this song was most likey about when she was an addict (etheir coke meth or herion) when she lost god. she later found god probably around the born to die era. this song was for a shirt film called "tropico" that's about finding god.
re: “living like jim morrison” there’s an interview around this time where she said she wishes she was dead already, so her references to him are definitely in that vein
Interesting you mentioned the predator W*instein because in "Cola" she makes a reference to a Harvey. The line goes "Harvey's in the sky with diamonds and he's making me crazy". Now they've change the lyrics to "ah he's in the sky with diamonds..." on Google, but I've been a fan of Lana long enough to remember when she said that it was a reference to the big fancy New Yorker types such as W*instein. If you listen to it really well, and it's even more noticeable with ear phones, she clearly says "Harvey". It is also on the same album as this song, so I think you're making a very big connection here. You should certainly give her song "Heroin" a listen as well. She talks about writing on walls with blood and I would say that it's even darker than this. It certainly isn't uncommon to become swept into the drug world of LA and being famous. This was also released in November 2012, which was supposedly when the world was gonna end, remember that hype? It was predicted for December that same year & I know I certainly lived it up myself that year. Never done anything stronger than coke but it was definitely my year of YOLO and debauchery. I'm sober now, Thank God, and I have found Jesus, so I understand her mentality of "fuck it, I'm done. Let's get high & try to enjoy this lousy life while we're here." Lots of love Mere! I know this was from a few days ago, but I hope you're recovering from it well. 💜
Lovee. I lovee this. I recently got a tattoo on my back wrist "Life Imitates Art" for this song. I highly recommend Violets For Roses, If You Lie Down With Me and The Greatest. You'll love them. How are you?
Please please react to dark Paradise by Lana💓 It‘s one of my favourite songs by her and I relate to it a lottt. Thank you for ur amazing videos ur so comforting 😄
Hey Mere! I’d love if you could analyze some rainbow kitten surprise songs. They’re one of my favorite bands of all time and got me through some really hard times. Sending you all my love, hope you have a great day!
This song is part of a trilogy from her short film Tropico. Watching it in the context of the film would make it make sense. Body Electric (fall from grace), Gods and Monsters is part 2 (the underworld), before Bel Air (redemption).
![ILLSLICK - THE KING'S LANDING [Freestyle]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/feIJJnNkTfk/mqdefault.jpg)
![TEEDEE TADA - DIAMOND NARAKORN X LEGO LYKN [Special Dance Performance]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QgtZedFeumA/mqdefault.jpg)
In 2014 she said in an interview she wished she was dead already. When the the interviewer said “you don’t mean that” she said “I do. I don’t want to keep doing this”. She received a lot of backlash for this but I remember appreciating so much how authentic she was being. I’ve also dealt with many of the same feelings and to see her keep going and thriving is such an inspiration.
Yes, and cause of it, she even had to change parts of the shades of Cool MV and use them in freak later. She really is an angel, wishing you the best! ^^
@@lightangelow1775 i think you're talking about the original ultraviolence MV being reworked into freak MV later? or is there in fact something there from shades of cool?
the groupie incognito posing as a real singer line is in reference to what people would say about her in her early career, that she wasn’t a real artists and was more of an image put together by a label🙏
oooo that makes so much sense
Just like she sings about in her most recent album “I know they think that it took thousands of people to put me together again, like an experiment. Some big man behind the scenes, sewing Frankenstein’s black dreams into my songs- but they’re wrong.”
Bingo!
I really don't get how anyone thought that tbh. If she had been manufactured by a label, Born to Die would have sounded like standard radio-friendly pop, it would not be as innovative and unique as it was. It's like they just saw her stage name and look and assumed she must be fake
@emilyb.8219 Yes, I totally agree! Besides that her releasing Video Games broke Tumblr and was everywhere within no time!
There's a lot to be said for listening to her discography in order. She really has changed quite a bit, not only sonically, but lyrically as well.
Speaking of Jim Morrison, Lana was OBSESSED with the 27 club. I even feel sometimes she kinda hoped that would be her. She was incredibly suicidal early on during her career… Maybe she felt like she needs to gain all this fame before she goes out so her life would have had some meaning. Maybe it would be interesting for you to look into her poetry. In the poem Tessa DiPietro she mentions Jim Morrison again, performing at the Hollywood Bowl, and she specifically says “Jim died at 27, so find another frame of reference when you’re referencing heaven”. I honestly think the song she wrote early on which was recently released Say Yes to Heaven is about fame, acclaim, love - “I’ve got my eye on you”, sounds like a goal to me rather than a lover. In her newest song with her dad Hollywood Bowl she sings “Why wait for Heavеn when I can have Heavеn right here like I'm told?” it sounds to me like she found a different meaning for heaven😁 the 27 club gained even more fame after their deaths… Why should she do that when she can experience heaven on earth right now?
Gods and Monsters is my favorite Lana song. It’s so dark and complex and the visuals are stunning.
I agree with you, my fav from Paradise
My favorite song too I really like the video 😊
And it’s so sad ppl keep wanting her to go back to her sad/drug days which makes her song fishtail lyric “you wanted me sadder” rlly hit hard
I don’t think that’s what fishtail is about
@@scorpiosun4what do u think its about
@@blueberry-ki9ok one of her ex bfs. She said in an interview one of her exes wanted her sadder so I think it’s obv abt him
That people are acting like her old music doesn't exist anymore or something 😭😭😭
Also in a clip a couple of years ago Lana Del Rey said “I have so many diaries, if they were ever found, all of my boyfriends would absolutely be in prison”
I believe it
@@mendwithmere she’s been through so much 💔
I feel as though she’s lived many lives, but the fact now she’s a happy peaceful 38 year old in LA is amazing. I wonder if she ever thinks about all the corners of life she’s touched before, all the experiences she’s had. It isn’t our business, but she’s so intriguing - this person with all these past issues, personalities, who creates every type of art. Sonically and lyrically - how much that she’s made and how much she’s explored, even with all the things in her head and out.
Women love bad boys and outlaws until they start doing bad boy and outlaw shit. It's that simple. Speaking as and ex-convict and street punker, I've seen this over and over again.
Hey everyone! I am the infamous Bradley lol. Thank you so much mere for reacting! It’s a very dark song but I believe it really does show the true colors of LA that no one wants to talk about.
Thanks Bradley!!! ❤
Thanks Bradley! 😅
THANKS BRADLEY
Thank you Bradley but I wish you said tropico as a whole lol
@@katherineauber yassss that’s what I said
You should really react to Tropico! It’s a 30 min short film with 3 of her songs and lots of poetry. It’s full of bible and pop culture references and she well explains the land of Gods and Monsters. She’s wasn’t f* up as it seems, she was aware ;)
I love you reactions! Thank u so much and luv from Brazil 🇧🇷♥️
Agreee
THIS PLEASE
very well said!
Yes!!!
PRETTY PLEASE
"if i get a little prettier, can I be your baby?" always breaks my heart when I listen to this line
"Gods and Monsters" was a perfect one to tackle on the heels of the "Candy Necklace" video. Was Lana 27 when G&M came out? (Thank god she didn't join the 27 Club! She's a survivor). I love the literary references she throws into the middle of this Southern California snake pit: Nietzsche ("God's dead")....Milton ("innocence lost" alludes to "Paradise Lost". You probably know that Lana has the word "paradise" tattooed on one hand and "trust no one" on the other). "Cola" is a great song that Lana has since "retired" from performing live in the wake of the MeToo movement (not many writers could seamlessly insert Harvey Weinstein into a Beatles song!)
I believe she was 27 because she's a year older than me & I was 26 when it came out in November 2012.
There are so many complex layers to this song beyond the surface interpretation. So much anger, so much hope, so much goddamn intensity.
Earlier Lana's songs are VERY heavy/dark lyrically; I love the songs but I am happy she's in a better space now as compared to her earlier albums.
For a better understanding I recommend watching the whole Tropico short film, there are three songs (this one included) telling one single history and is literally BRILLIANT the reflection that she brings with so many symbols!
Yes, San Tropico deserves more attention!!!
talk to us about tropico more! i find it hard to understand
I always interpreted this song in a more positive way. Whether god here is a religious god or the gods of Hollywood, "Me and god, we don't get along, so now I sing" says "I'm just going to sing my songs, tell my story, and be myself whether the gods that be like it or not. The "no one's gonna take my soul away" is saying that whatever she has to do to live her life and make her art, she's not going to let "them" win. I think she's at least telling herself that if she has to play the game, or sleep her way to the top, she will do it as a calculated move, and not a helpless victim. She is ok with not being perceived as pure if it gets her what she wants.
Whenever ppl say they miss the old Lana it rlly bothers me bc clearly she’s in a much better state now, the music rlly shows her growth especially now it sounds like she’s in a much better state
She’s even explicitly stated that she’s so much happier now. She used to be anorexic, suicidal, etc. and now she’s medicated/getting treatment for her mental illness, recovered from her ed, doing what she loves, and just grooving!
@@xhappyponyxwasmyoldname1395she had an ed? please elaborate, i’ve never heard of this.
Hi Mere! I think you really need to watch Tropico to fully understand it. It's a MV composed of 3 songs, one of them is God's and Monsters. It'll make sense, and you'll understand the "garden of evel" and and what's about "doing anything I needed".
I came here to say the same! Tropica is mesmerizing ❤
She's clearly in a better place today...I mean, I still listen to those old songs but her songwriting has gotten so much better and the topics too. I suggest you react to Violets for Roses ❤
An old song I suggest you react to is Old Money...that song is pure poetry.
She's always had strong songwriting. It's evolved and matured over time because she has.
@@KernelHughes thank you. just because the subject matter was dark and often unhealthy does not mean she wasn't a skilled songwriter, honestly tired of this logical fallacy in lana fandom.
Her songwriting is one of the finest!
@@KernelHughes That's what I meant. I've always loved her songwriting but it's undoubtedly better today. Like you said- she evolved.
I think she actually meant the "living like Jim Morrison" part. She was pretty depressed and suicidal in the beginning of her early career, she also struggled with alcoholism when she was a teenager. The "it's innocent lost" always gives me chills, it's the perfect summary of the whole song.
I've been little insistent about Textbook too, can we get that next? 😅
hey mere,
i just watched your reaction of ‘Change’ and i’m in tears. i’m finding it hard right now to see a clear path for my life and i feel a deep pit in my chest with the emotions and thoughts i’m battling, but listening to the song and your examinations is helping me deal with my feelings at the moment. thank you for your videos, and thank you for you. ❤
since you mentioned Harvey Weinstein, there's a song "Cola" from the same album Gods&Monsters is from and Lana mentions Harvey in the lyrics of this song. People speculate that this song may be about him. Lana stopped performing this song after Weinstein's crimes have been revealed
Lana herself said she was thinking of a "Harvey Weinstein/Harry Winston-type of character."
I really don’t think there’s much for Mere to react to there…. I really hope people don’t keep asking her to react to Cola, because I seriously think the lyrics would turn her off from Lana forever
The tropico short film explains a lot about the song and the stroy between the 3 songs that contains
Norman fucking Rockwell next please?? It’s her singing about how the men have treated her! I know you’ll love it!
yes yes yes!
@@mendwithmere yay thank you!!
Yes!!! Norman Fucking Rockwell will be so great for Mere to react to!
iconic. this song has such a vibe to it .. then again all of them do 🤍🤍
Gods and Monsters and Living Legend are my favorite songs from her, i have suggested you reacting to them in other membership videos as well, i thank you and humbly request you to listen to living legend as well, either way i was very happy to see this notification ad i loved your reaction and interpretation.
This song is about the dark side of the industry, the high price of fame, Hollywood and the need to be reinvented by the industry to survive, a loss of innocence and corruption of her ideals and vision as an artist.
Taking Hollywoods fame seed can turn you into a god or a monster, that s what i feel reporting to this song. Events that happened in similar ways to other artists as well so i see this song as her way of taking refuge within this fallen state so she avoids degrading herself with self negative talk and thinking.
However,she was poorly recieved due to the fact that she portrayed how damaged a person can become when in contact with certain personas in their life i feel she was raising awareness with it and accentuating the fact that celebrities are humans too. Sorry for the long comment i really love this song! Wishing you the best Mere!
Many people won' take the time to read long comments in our Twitterized sound-byte culture, but I love thoughtful comments like yours😊 (A few weeks ago somebody complained about my 'long-ass' paragraphs in a DM. I told this person people pay me to write like this. They just seem long read on a smartphone)
@myopia2020 Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Looking back, I can see why this can be an issue. I got carried away as it is about one of my fav songs. I ll def be aware of it next time! ^^
Yes and thank you for the comments on this because Lana's fans know her deeply and really understand the ins and outs more than me since I'm trying to decipher on first listen. I really appreciate it! sending you love!
@mendwithmere Thank you so much, it really means a lot to me!
my FAVORITE Lana song! So happy you finally did this song!
(how i take the song)
The Jim Morrison & holiday part refers to him dying on July 3rd, right before the 4th. Its like she's living parallel life styles once being in this land of evil. if she keeps living like this then shes headed towards that effed up holiday of july 3rd like Jim. She was in a deep place but also was aware. Realizing that even though the fame liquor love is making it "easier" its also leading to the end. Which is what i think the base of the song is about. I relate simply from dealing with depression/addiction and it feels like the moment when youre almost so low but you realize this isnt the answer.
This song does something to me like no other song does.
So my best friend who is a recovering addict and has a birthday one day before Lana …cusp Gemini and Cancer … she says when she relapses she missed her secret life and secret friends in the drug world , and part of recovery is dealing with that craving to just ‘ be bad’ … this song for sure reminds me of this situation !
Listen to Dark But Just A Game. It really shows the same topic but her growth on the subject. How she isn’t going to be like the others. Her growth is mind blowing!!!
babeeee, i NEED your reactiong and analysis of "Tropico" by lana, its a short movie from the btd/paradise era and it gives so much inside informations of the pre-lana del rey life she had in a very biblically driven and imagetic way. pretty pleaseeee
I think The line " God's Dead baby thats alright with me" is inspired from the philosopher Nietzche. Contrary to the statement, it is actually positive. It means that life is meaningless AND it is up to us to find our own meaning in life and that there is no absolute rule what life is supposed to mean. It is entirely up to you.
Lana was also stated to study metaphysics so that kinda explains how she incorporated some philosophy.
"I'd rather know what God knows" - Pawn Shop Blues by lana
*God's Dead*
*God remains dead*
*We have killed Him*
-Nietzche
Omgg yess! You should do her tropico short film next!! 🥹💛
One thing I always liked about this song is when she says innocence lost it also sounds like in a sense lost!
I think the fiery beacon part was her innocence that they could sense (she was an angel) and they sought to corrupt her.
i’d love to see you react to her short film ‘tropico’! it’s body electric, gods & monsters, and bel air with tons of amazing imagery and spoken word, similar to the ride music video.
React to "Love" music video, it's a love letter written by Lana to her fans. 💝
I think the ‘posing as a real singer’ line is a reference to imposter syndrome, which I think also ties into the line ‘if I get a little prettier, can I be your baby?’ - like she doesn’t feel worthy of it
Rewatching every single one of your Lana reactions just to say that you are amazing and I love you
I was in love with this song when I had 12 years old and i still love it even tho that time she sang very depressed stuff, please mere react to Mitski (first love/late spring) is amazing ❤
I absolutely will and I'm sorry I'm delayed in doing it!
Jessica Lange’s version in American Horror Story is phenomenal. That scene is FIRE! 🔥
imo this song is like how she coped when she was in a very bad place. If I remember correctly, Nietzsche’s “God’s dead” is how he views that the value shall come from our own exploration and discovery, not by an institution i.e. religion (God). So, it’s like she used this notion to cope with the shitty things that were happening. “I feel ashamed but there’s no other choices. Either I accept this reality and go with it or go insane” sorta thing. First heard this song when I was still recovering from Major Depression and this interpretation kinda helped me get better. Oh, and her song Ride as well.
I think the line where she talks about, not getting along with God refers to the fact that she wanted to be a poet, but it never worked out for her. So now she’s a singer.
It is an absolute necessity for you to listen to "violets for roses"!! I love the songs where you can clearly see the healthy growth Lana has been through, which is shown throughout her discography as well :))
Mere would love Violets for Roses :)
not me developing a crush on you everytime you upload 😭btw love your vids! your analysis and reactions! so much to learn from you. thanks for this.
this song is about those who have had their heart and souls broken, about who had lost a loved one, about those who are lost not knowing what to do, about those who want to give up so badly but somehow are holding on. about those who have a pure heart despite the bad things they’ve done, about those who have been through some kind of trauma and didn’t recovered… only the broken ones will feel and understand this song.
I think you are spot on. Sonically, this is one of my favorites but lyrically it’s really hopeless and empty. The Tropico video segment for this track alludes to this as well.
She's completely off point here, sorry girl.
@@edubz1102
Thank you ❤
I think the best was to watch Tropico, because there is an order, Body Electric > Gods & Monsters > Bel Air
Mere you have done it again. The interpretation is spot on as always an outstanding video.
“life imitates art” could be my favorite lyric written ever
Yes, she is so amazing. Her music is so haunting and this is the only reason I don’t always listen to her as much as I’d like to. Cuz it sticks with me so much and makes me feel so many things.
This was a good suggestion.
Thx for your reaction. :)
tropico is a neeeeed
I think it’s misogyny that people thought and still think she doesn’t write her own songs. People think Courtney Love was just a groupie and that Curt Cobain basically did everything for her. Some people think that because Lana is really pretty and has a nice wardrobe that she’s just a model.
Copy and pasting an explanation of this song that I left in a reply to a different comment or. I hope this is helpful!! : The lyrical content of the song is meant to be a sort of exposè on the inner workings of LA and how its “Gods and Monsters” (like Harvey Weinstein) take angels like her, who shine like a beacon for them to sink their talons into and rob them of their innocence. It’s about how the big men in the industry ruin young girls like her by making them get cosmetic surgeries “If I get a little prettier, can I be your baby?” getting them into drugs, etc etc. all the while instilling them with this sort of imposter syndrome that keeps them dependent on the Gods and Monsters, their money and their drugs: “like a groupie incognito, posing as a real singer.” The whole idea is that these “angels,” like her, enter this “garden of evil” desperate, “screwed up, scared, doing anything that [they] need” to get what they’re looking for, and before they know it, they get swept up in the fame game. She references Jim Morrison, not as a means to romanticize his lifestyle, but as a reminder that what she’s singing about ISN'T romantic- it’s tragic and it ruins lives. The “fucked up holiday” she’s headed towards is meant to parallel the fact that Jim Morrison himself died while holidaying in France. She’s basically insinuating that she’s heading directly towards her on death/demise here. When she sings about how “this is heaven,” it’s entirely ironic in a very retrospective and self aware sort of way, because she herself referred to this place as “the garden of evil” in the first few lines of the song. Her new “heaven” comes at a price, and she realizes this by the end of each chorus when she reminds us “it’s innocence lost.” The songs itself is absolutely rife with Biblical and pop culture references, with nearly every lyric referencing a different artist or author or movie she looks up to/is inspired by. It’s a cautionary tale, and definitely not meant to portray a lifestyle that she wants her listeners to support or endorse! I know other commenters have told you this before, but Lana’s collarbones are tattooed with the names Whitney, Amy, Billie, and Nina, as a means to pay homage to Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone. All these women, minus Nina, died young at the hands of substance abuse that wreaked havoc on their lives. As I’m sure you surmised from the Candy Necklaces music video, Lana is very sensitive to this sort of subject/theme in the industry, especially since it could’ve been her, too. But that’s just my interpretation! Again, I hope this provides helpful insight!!!
definitely do her song terrence loves you next! ❤️
Your an amazing therapist I wouldn't have interpret it like that. ...
i thoroughly recommend listening to her albums in chronological order to see how far she has come. If you compare one of her earlier albums like paradise to nfr, you can see just how much she has changed as a person
Id love to see you react to Swan Song by Lana Del Rey, its one of my favourite songs of her.
It's about finding beauty in giving up and this song has been so relatable in my past.
In a self contained listen to this song, these are definitely the thoughts I had as well. I would however recommend the Tropico short film, it offers a focused perspective on how this song fits into her intention of the Paradise EP and I think her deep beliefs(at least at the time). Thank you for all the work you do Mere! Love your content!
The Lust for Life album, Blue Banisters, and Chemtrails are Lana’s lighter albums
Not even lighter- just not as disturbing. She’s much more mature lyrically in those albums
I think blue banisters is not light
@@alessio1732 It’s a lot more hopeful and appreciative of Lana’s blessings like family than her earlier albums are. A lot of the songs are lighter imo 🤷🏼♀️
If you’d like a cool trip, react to Jessica Lange singing this song. It’s iconic
It's the same lyrics, but I feel they take on a *slightly* different meaning when Jessica sings it. As much as I love Lana's voice, I love Jessica's version even more. It has more of a raw maturity to it. Jessica has had one hell of a crazy life, as a bohemian artist traveling the world and indulging in sex, drugs, and rock n' roll as a young woman before being discovered by the Hollywood machine and thrust into stardom, only to be saddled with the "dumb blonde" cliche. Then managed to rise above the Hollywood BS and prove herself as a true artistic genius. So, it's pretty on the nose for her. Ryan Murphy definitely makes some questionable choices, but having her sing that song is one of his best ones.
One of her best songs for me. Might be my most played off Paradise actually.
have you been thinking about doing full album reactions chronologically? i would love love love that! 🩷ur the best!
paradise as an album is so tragic, really makes you wonder what this woman has been through.
you should see her poem LA Who Am I To You? it’s one of my favs
You’re literally shining. You’re giving off a much much much brighter aura, so here for it. Gods & monsters is such a good song and I’m glad someone recommended it and I’m so interested in the way you analyzed it (you always catch my attention). This song kind of “Relates” to Fuck3d my way up to the top - Ultraviolence. Which is a song where she pretty much talks about how she had s3x (I have no idea if she wanted to have it or not) in the industry. I’m so glad you answered to my comment where I recommended you to react to a bunch of FKA Twigs songs, I’m still over the moon rn. I just know that I won’t ever be much invasive, if I want to recommend a song I’ll just do it in 2/3 comments, I don’t want to be pressing. Whenever you post a video I’m happy, honestly, doesn’t matter which song you react to. I’d have a thousand songs to recommend but I bet you already have many requests, love u ❤️❤️
You rlly need to react to the mv to that song. Its life changing
She has another song from Paradise that I think sounds like a more depressing version of this one called Yayo. I think that relates back to the Jim Morrison line in this song (who died of a hero!n overdose) because the term Yayo is associated with that drug. Yayo is literally the most depressing song I have ever heard 😶 It would be interesting to hear your reaction (it’s a little deeper than Gods and Monsters) but please don’t do it if it will leave you feeling awful!
please Old Money next🙏🏻
I think this song makes more sense when you watch the tropics, a short film that recreates the history of the book of the Bible, Genesis, the knowledge of sin, life in sin and divine redemption
I think this song is about how women are treated in the music industry. How some of them feel like they need to use their bodies to have a successful career. And all the pressure that women feel in an industry that is so controlled by men.
your lana videos are my new comfort place❤️
love her darkness so much. is that bad? i feel like she embraces her shadow self
i loved your glasses!!! 🥰
Music video is much better than just the lyrics …. One of my fav Lana music videos
Lana's earlier albums will forever hold a dear and special place in my heart. But I don't understand why people consistently request you to react to those. I feel like her last 4-5 albums are so much more layered and mature.
With that being said, as multiple people have already mentioned, also on this video, there's lots to be said for listening to her discography in order.
I agrée. I’d listen to them in order. I think Gods and Monsters is one of her best songs so thanks Bradley for recommending it. I don’t take the lyrics to exactly what she’s experienced but rather about what she observed when she moved to LA.
Exactly! Mere has such insightful things to say about Lana’s lyrics- we should be asking her to react to NFR and Blue Banisters, not songs about drugs and daddies 😅 don’t get me wrong, I have great respect for Lana’s earlier works, as well as her journey as an artist- but I have the CONTEXT to understand what I’m listening to!! Mere only really has what people give her in the comments
I love thisss, you should react to dark but just a game!!! It's very interesting, and happens to be one of my favs. ❤️
this song was most likey about when she was an addict (etheir coke meth or herion) when she lost god. she later found god probably around the born to die era. this song was for a shirt film called "tropico" that's about finding god.
re: “living like jim morrison”
there’s an interview around this time where she said she wishes she was dead already, so her references to him are definitely in that vein
OHH i’ve been waiting for this one!!
Interesting you mentioned the predator W*instein because in "Cola" she makes a reference to a Harvey. The line goes "Harvey's in the sky with diamonds and he's making me crazy". Now they've change the lyrics to "ah he's in the sky with diamonds..." on Google, but I've been a fan of Lana long enough to remember when she said that it was a reference to the big fancy New Yorker types such as W*instein. If you listen to it really well, and it's even more noticeable with ear phones, she clearly says "Harvey". It is also on the same album as this song, so I think you're making a very big connection here. You should certainly give her song "Heroin" a listen as well. She talks about writing on walls with blood and I would say that it's even darker than this. It certainly isn't uncommon to become swept into the drug world of LA and being famous. This was also released in November 2012, which was supposedly when the world was gonna end, remember that hype? It was predicted for December that same year & I know I certainly lived it up myself that year. Never done anything stronger than coke but it was definitely my year of YOLO and debauchery. I'm sober now, Thank God, and I have found Jesus, so I understand her mentality of "fuck it, I'm done. Let's get high & try to enjoy this lousy life while we're here." Lots of love Mere! I know this was from a few days ago, but I hope you're recovering from it well. 💜
Beautiful BEAUTIFUL 🛐
My favorite song by her!
Lovee. I lovee this. I recently got a tattoo on my back wrist "Life Imitates Art" for this song. I highly recommend Violets For Roses, If You Lie Down With Me and The Greatest. You'll love them. How are you?
YES FINALLY. HER BEST SONG!!
thanks for reacting ❤
Her evolution from this to get free means so much
GUYS WAKE UP MEND WITH MERE POSTED ANOTHER VIDEO! Anyways I love these videos soooo much!
My my Mer! You should do Heroin next
Another videooooo , YESSSS!!!!!
omg the glasses ✨✨
Please please react to dark Paradise by Lana💓 It‘s one of my favourite songs by her and I relate to it a lottt. Thank you for ur amazing videos ur so comforting 😄
PLSSSSSS do Watercolor Eyes its for the series Euphoria
Pls Terrence loves you next. Its about david Bowie's brother
Olá, você podia reagir ao vídeo de Trópico da Lana Del Rey 😊
PLEASE THE TROPICO SHORT FILM BY LANA PLSSSSSS
you could also check out jessica lange's cover of this song for American Horror Story !! absolutely legendary
TROPICO TROPICO TROPICO 🎉
Happiness is a butterfly please!
Hey Mere! I’d love if you could analyze some rainbow kitten surprise songs. They’re one of my favorite bands of all time and got me through some really hard times. Sending you all my love, hope you have a great day!
This song is part of a trilogy from her short film Tropico. Watching it in the context of the film would make it make sense. Body Electric (fall from grace), Gods and Monsters is part 2 (the underworld), before Bel Air (redemption).
Cant wait for living legend