Young and Beautiful Analysis

Lana Del Ray

• Young and Beautiful was written and performed by Lana Del Rey

• The song genre is Indie Rock, Lana Del Rey’s vocal are accompanied by canned percussion and string that are shown in the video

• It was the first single from the Great Gatsby; Baz Luhrman’s Film Soundtrack

• The lyrics describes and follows a young lover and her worry of getting older and whether love can last

• The music video has been described by music critics as ‘haunting’ and ‘sombre’

In this first shot in Lana Del Rey is seen multiple times through mirrors, this gives the impression to the audience that she has a large presence, implying that she is important and the main focus

This type of music video is Indie Rock. This can be seen by the lighting with the mise-en-scene. Lighting is kept dark, which adds to the natural effect and follows the conventions of a Indie Rock video

Throughout the video, there is also colour schemes of blues, reds, greens and browns, which all add to the conventions of Indie Rock

This particular music video, is mainly based on performance, meaning that the lyrics do not have great relation to the visuals throughout the video

This shot, near the end of the video, highlights a common theme throughout; the fear of growing old alone. This is seen through the use of cinematography as Lana Del Rey is only seen in shots alone. Although we see the orchestra, who are backing her up, she is never in the same frame as them

During the line; ‘He is my sun, he makes me shine’, the lighting that is used creates a glow around the artists silhouette. Suggesting that she is never alone, like God has engulfed himself around her. This draws a connection between the visuals of the video and the lyrics

Close ups of the artist, are used to display the emotion of the character to the audience

In this particular close up we can see her unguarded emotions. Her sad expressions also reinforce the theme of the video

The make up and costumes used, again, reinforces the sad tone of the song. The tear drops on the side of Lana’s face and the dark colour scheme used throughout

The use of the colour purple and the diamonds that Lana wears throughout, highlight her wealth. Indicating, although she is worried about being alone, she is able to make her own income

Throughout the video, there is a strong link between the use of editing and the music.During the bridge of the chorus, there is a heavy drumbeat, which can be seen by the use of shot reverse shot from a close up of Lana to the orchestra and conductor. This shows the rise in dynamics

The tone of the music is very sad, solemn which can be seen through the visuals, by the use of fuzzy and edgy effects that are added to the shotsThe use of mise-en-scene also adds to this mood by the use of dark lighting

Intertexual Reference – The Great Gatsby - film

Lana Del Rey’s song ‘Young and Beautiful’ is related to the 2013 film, The Great GatsbyBy the use of her lyrics, ‘Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?’ hints at desperation which parallels the characteristics of the characters in the film The lyrics revolve around the themes of nostalgia, the darkness of aging and change and being alone, pleasing a lover, these are all explore throughout the film/novel Great Gatsby