6. Million Dollar Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrU8VGJXU68 If I was Sam Mendes I'd call the next James Bond film 'Million Dollar Man', if only to ensure that this was the title track. It's surely the greatest Bond song that never was, or why not save 'Young and Beautiful' for the next record and release this on the Gatsby soundtrack instead? This is another story of doomed romance, Lana tells lots of those. "You're screwed up and brilliant, look like a million dollar man, so why is my heart broke?" This is the story of a love that you know is doomed from the start but you take the plunge anyway. But one thing that should be really loved about Lana Del Rey is that her stories lack bitterness, when love doesn't work out she takes one of two routes admiration or devotion, and what other artist can say that? You could picture this being sung in a smoky blues bar or Shirley Bassey singing it in Vegas - another amazing example of the power of her story telling.
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