They acquire a new meaning amid the US president’s rhetoric.
From the early days of her career, Lana Del Rey used visual themes of traditional American aesthetics at her concerts and in music videos. References to American symbols and Hollywood icons can also be found in the singer’s lyrics. Together, they made Del Rey a sort of the quintessence of American symbolism.
The singer said in an interview with Pitchfork that the public would hardly see the star-spangled flag at her concerts in support of her new album. Asked if it’s easy to romanticise the American Dream during Trump’s rule, the singer answered:
“I definitely changed my visuals on my tour videos. I’m not going to have the American flag waving while I’m singing ‘Born to Die’. It’s not going to happen. I’d rather have static. It’s a transitional period, and I’m super aware of that. I think it would be inappropriate to be in France with an American flag. It would feel weird to me now—it didn’t feel weird in 2013.”
The new administration made Lana Del Rey take a fresh look at political issues. She said earlier that feminism wasn’t interesting to her as a concept. Now, the singer admits that “things have shifted culturally”. She highlights that “women started to feel less safe under this administration instantly”.
“What if they take away Planned Parenthood? What if we can’t get birth control? Now, when people ask me those questions, I feel a little differently,” Del Rey says.
Her new album Lust for Life, which was released on July 21, is more political that her previous works focusing on self-reflexion. Lana notes that, for example, the song “God Bless America – And all the Beautiful Women in it” is dedicated to the women and anyone else who doesn’t always feel safe walking down the street late at night in today’s America.
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