Lana Del Rey – Born to Die

Music Video Analysis

The third video I have chosen to analyse is ‘Born to Die’ by Lana Del Rey. I will be using

Andrew Goodwin’s theory and his several key aspects to a music video. The music video was directed by Yoann Lemoine. The video

conveys Lana Del Rey in an unhealthy relationship with her boyfriend, but as they

go on a car trip which results in death. I chose to analyse this video as it falls in the indie pop as well as the alternative and pop

genre which is the genre (indie pop) I hope to work with. Codes and conventions of the indie pop genre typically include settings (such as woods etc.), a narrative, mise-en

scene (simple props, costume and make-up) and close up shots which Lana Del Rey has

included throughout her music video.

Introduction

There are several connections between the lyrics and visuals throughout the music video. For example, when Lana Del Rey sings “Let’s go get high.”, the music video

portrays a shot of her smoking cannabis. Later, when she repeats the same lyric, the viewer can see her

sitting in a throne, imitating the movement of smoking cannabis. This visual aid amplifies the lyrics the

audience can hear as it suggests that Lana Del Rey is unhappy however, she is trying to cover this through the use of drugs. Furthermore, it suggests that once

Lana Del Rey’s ‘high’ has past, she has to face the truth and accept the situation.

Another visual aid used to illustrate her lyrics is when she sings “You like your girls insane.” And twirls her finger in a circular motion towards her manner. This

suggest that her boyfriend likes women who have lent towards the crazy side. As she is his girlfriend, this also suggests that Lana Del Rey herself is insane as well as

a little crazy.

What is the relationship between lyrics and visuals?

Additionally, Lana Del Rey often repeats the lyric “We were born to die.” which is also a key lyric as it reflects

the title of the song. When she repeats the lyric “We were born to die.” she slowly drags her finger along her throat.

This implies that Lana Del Rey is referring to being beheaded which is a form of death and represents the title

of the song. A while later, Lana Del Rey uses direct address with the aid of slightly tilting her head down to subtly refer to the saying ‘If looks could kill’ which, once again, refers to the atmosphere of death throughout her

song/music video. Finally, the audience can see the camera using a reverse zoom to portray Lana Del Rey’s death to her audience as she is covered in blood whilst being held by her boyfriend. This occurs when she sings ‘We were born to die.”. This specific portrays the final

phase of human life as well as the end of her relationship as once nothing lasts forever and everything must come

to an end.

What is the relationship between lyrics and visuals?

In terms of the connection between the music and the visuals, the music video cuts to the backing beat of the

song rather than when Lana Del Rey begins to sing. Throughout the music video, the target audience do not see instrumental elements being incorporated

within the song. Overall, the pace of the music video is fairly slow as the song itself is reasonably slow therefore, both the music

and visuals compliment each other. The music video opens with the use of a slow zoom of Lana Del Rey and

her boyfriend with the intention of introducing the music to the audience. Moreover, both the music and visuals progress at a slow pace throughout the music video such as when Lana Del Rey sits on her throne

and sings to the camera. Finally, the pace of the visuals slightly reduces when Lana Del Rey is walking through

a large corridor in her night gown.

What is the relationship between music and visuals?

In order for the record label to sell Lana Del Rey’s music, they have allocated the majority of screen time to her.

They have also used a variety of long shots and medium close-up shots with the intention of promoting Lana Del

Rey (as she is the main focus) as well as her music. Throughout Lana Del Rey’s music video, she is mostly portrayed through the use of medium close-up shots.

Evidence of this include when she is sitting of her throne and singing the lyrics.

Although Lana Del Rey is wearing a bold, red lipstick throughout this music video, her other music videos such as ‘Video Games’ and ‘Shades of Cool’ portray her image differently. In these two videos, Lana Del Rey wears no

make-up to natural looking make-up with the intention of portraying her youth. However, within her ‘Born to Die’

music video, she is wearing black eyeliner which is aided by a classic red lip to portray her as confident and

empowering.

Are there close-ups of the artist and star image motifs?

Although there is no explicit content throughout the music video, the audience can see Lana Del Rey wearing a revealing night gown on several occasions. This suggests that the artist is subtly

on sexual display. The use of her personal nightwear will stereotypically appeal to a large male audience and will attract a greater range of male viewers towards her music. This idea is supported by Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze. However, the audience can see a shirtless Lana Del Rey pressed against the male actor at the very beginning and end of her music video. Compared to the shots of Lana Del Rey in her night gown, this sexual display is less subtle

and will, once again, attract a wider male audience.

Is there reference to the notion of looking?

There are no intertextual

references throughout her music video ‘Born

to Die’.

Are there intertextual references?

Lana Del Rey’s contains a mixture of a performance, a narrative and a concept. The music video is performance-based when Lana

Del Rey sits on her throne, wears a flower crown and sings the lyrics. This is incorporated throughout her music video with the

intention of drawing her audience’s attention. The music video is narrative based when the audience can see

her unhealthy relationship with her boyfriend and the car journey that results in Lana Del Rey’s death. The narrative is spread out

across the music video with the intention of engaging the audience and encouraging them to continue watching the music

video. The concept aspect of her music video is portrayed through the use of juxtaposition. During her performance, Lana Del Rey is

displayed as an upper-class female however, during the narrative element of the music video, she is portrayed as a working-class female. Although there is a significant different between the two roles she plays, the message of her song is that we were born to die. This conveys that no matter which class you are born into,

what possessions you own or how attractive you are, were all go through the process of death which no one can escape.

Is the music video performance-based, narrative based or concept based?