Lana Del Rey released the single "Looking for America" as a response to the recent shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas. The song envisions the country without violence and mass shootings while maintaining a strong sense of patriotism.
Lana Del Rey - Looking For America (Audio)www.youtube.com
The singer first teased the song on August 5 on Instagram, with a video captioned:
"Hi folks came back early from Montecito with my brother this morning and asked Jack Antonoff to come into town because I had a song on my mind that I wanted to write. Now I know I'm not a politician and I'm not trying to be so excuse me for having an opinion-but in light of all of the mass shootings and the back to back shootings in the last couple of days which really affected me on a cellular level I just wanted to post this."
America is a common theme in Del Rey's music, as well as her nostalgia for the 60s and 70s pop culture. In "Coachella-Woodstock in my Mind" from her latest album "Lust for Life," the singer contrasts past and present, reflecting on today's issues and political atmosphere.
Lana Del Rey - Coachella - Woodstock In My Mind (Official Audio)www.youtube.com
"Looking for America" was released on August 9, 2019. In the opening verse, Del Rey describes watching children play in the park—"We used to only worry for them after dark." It's a sad reality we live in, where children fear going to school, or a concert, or anywhere a shooting may occur.
In the second verse, Del Rey travels back to New York, her home city, adding a personal touch to the song. She describes her growing up, in the 90s, when mass shootings were not as common an occurrence as they are today—clearly, this issue has increased over time and has become a defining feature of the current generation.
The chorus ties are where Del Rey expresses her desire for her country:
"I'm still looking for my own version of America
One without the gun, where the flag can freely fly
No bombs in the sky, just fireworks when you and I collide
It's just a dream I had in mind."
"Fireworks," "Dream"—these lyrics allude to significant themes in American tradition. Supporters of the Second Amendment argue the right to own guns are critical to democracy and American culture. But Del Rey's song is nothing short of patriotic. She clearly expresses love for her country: She loves America, a country founded on the idea of progress, and is therefore heartbroken by the consistent tragedies resulting from white supremacy, toxic masculinity, and gun violence.
Is living in constant fear really freedom?
Seeking positive change for one's country should not be mistaken for treason: in fact, it's what America is all about.
Rolling Stone called the song "as spare and simple as a sixties folk epistle." It's evident, then, that Del Rey dances in the footsteps of musical icons such as John Lennon, who used their work as a platform calling for positive political and social reform.
Musicians are perhaps the most influential in today's world, especially to youth. They may not be politicians, but artists such as Del Rey might have just as much ability to invoke change, if not more.
"Looking for America" is a beautiful, yet devastating, expression of hope, as well as a call to action. All the proceeds from this single will be donated to relief programs for the recent shootings.
