2. National Anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7daxzs-EK2A This has swagger, hip-hop and the wide eyed feeling of love, and that's just for starters. This is the most danceable song Lana Del Rey has ever released and I was convinced it would be a summer #1 record. It has a supremely weird video, casting A$AP ROCKY as a black version of JFK, and Lana as a Marilyn/Jackie Kennedy hybrid. This should have been the 'Get Lucky' of 2012, God knows why it wasn't... This is the antidote to all of those who claim Lana Del Rey is an anti-feminist "I sing the National Anthem, while I'm standing over your body like a python - and you can't keep your hands off me, or your pants on..." This isn't about feminism, it's about love, lust and romance and individuality. Just listen to the line and the stutter of 'Give me a standing ova-ti-i-ion' and marvel at the confidence. It's probably time to start a letter to your local MP imploring her not to retire. If you've ever heard a song that sums up the rush of initial attraction (and this outdoes 'Blue Jeans' by a country mile) I'm all ears..
Ed Nash
Contributor
What makes music fantastic? Star quality, amazing music, breathtaking lyrics and the ability to bring something new to the table, even if that means a new take on the classics. That's what I love to listen to and write about.
As well as writing for What Culture, I occasionally write a blog http://tedney.blogspot.co.uk and sometimes use Twitter, but sparingly @TedneyNash
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Ed