In a perfect world, America would no longer have societal aspects revolve around the economy. Our natural human instinct leads us to believe that things are going to get better. However, it seems that each day the world actually gets worse and if we look back in history it doesn’t seem like things were much better. Modern society has become too materialistic where the majority of people are more worried about what we have than who we are and continue to strive to have a sort of status that is virtually impossible. “National Anthem”, released July 6, 2012, by Lana Del Rey is a great embodiment of present-day America not only through her lyrics but the monologues and cinematography that the director, Anthony Mandler, included. “National Anthem” influences the message in popular culture that the base of capitalism transcends into the superstructure. From glorifying a privileged lifestyle to commenting on economic determinism, Lana Del Rey contributes to criticizing the consumerism and the empty and shallow way American society has become as well as expose the division among social classes and a sign of evolving times.
All Americans have different interpretations of what the American Dream is, but many of the dreams center around two things: love and money. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a national anthem is “a song officially adopted by a nation, school, or other body, and performed at ceremonies and other official occasions, typically used as an expression of identity and pride.” Lana Del Rey’s song is able to captivate her audience without even the slightest melody played with a title like “National Anthem”. With being named as one of the 20 best music videos of the 2010s by Billboard, the title appeals to the audience’s pathos as it indicates a song the audience is able to relate and reflect upon as a community and individual. “National Anthem” is one of many songs Lana Del Rey has written that has a magical way of lending the lyrics to our lives. Much like how many American Dreams center around love and money, Lana repetitively sings “money is the anthem of success” and “money is the reason we exist, everybody knows it, it’s a fact,” which is a main idea in many American dreams to become successful and wealthy as America is a capitalist country that essentially revolves around money. Being a celebrity, Del Rey appeals to ethos from her status as the audience is aware that in such a hectic and competitive industry, she is able to see what excessive money and the drive for money can do to people.
In the outro, Del Rey continues to sing “God, you’re so handsome” when she focuses on money in the lines previous and after that indicates that we often find a deeper attraction to those who satisfy our desires (money). By describing herself as the ‘National Anthem’ of the wealthy man she is singing about, Del Rey is associating herself with something that inspires many men, patriotism, and national pride. She forms a metaphor that is taken even further in the music video as she embodies Jackie O’, JFK’s First Lady. The metaphor comparing the artist to a man’s ‘National Anthem’ can be interpreted symbolically, and sexually. On the occasion of when the “National Anthem” is sung, people stand straight and erect and Del Rey seems to render this image as she sings “I’m your National Anthem. Boy, put your hands up. Give me a standing ovation”. She steers her metaphor away from civic attributes to reconcile both anthems and instead shifts them to shallow and material attributes. The theme of love and money is shown as she craves money and is inspired by her lover’s wealth as he desires her physical and hedonistically.
In music videos, there seems to always be a relationship between lyrics and visuals, and this can be illustrated, amplified, or contradicted by the visuals in the video. When viewing the video for “National Anthem” it is apparent that the visuals illustrate the song and the lyrics within the song. The music video presents a glamorous, yet critical, portrayal of American culture. Del Rey’s embodiment of Jackie Kennedy juxtaposed with A$AP Rocky as a modern-day JFK reflects the idealized American dream and its inherent contradictions. The opulent lifestyle depicted in the video contrasts sharply with the tragic undertones of the Kennedy story, emphasizing the fleeting nature of fame, power, and wealth.
From a theoretical perspective, this can be analyzed through the lens of Marxist theory. Karl Marx’s concept of “commodity fetishism” is relevant here, where social relationships are mediated by commodities and the exchange value of goods becomes more important than their use value. Del Rey’s repeated references to money and material wealth in “National Anthem” highlight how these commodities are idolized in contemporary society, overshadowing genuine human connections and values.
Additionally, the music video’s narrative aligns with the ideas of the Frankfurt School, particularly the critiques of the culture industry by Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer. They argued that mass-produced culture, such as popular music and films, serves to perpetuate the existing capitalist system by promoting passive consumption and conformism. “National Anthem” not only critiques this culture but also exemplifies it, creating a complex interplay between art and consumerism.
Furthermore, the portrayal of gender roles and relationships in “National Anthem” can be examined through the framework of feminist theory. The video and lyrics suggest that women’s value is often linked to their physical appearance and their ability to attract wealthy men. This reflects broader societal issues of gender inequality and the objectification of women, which are perpetuated by media and popular culture. Scholars like Laura Mulvey, in her essay “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema,” discuss the concept of the male gaze, where women are depicted as objects of male desire. Del Rey’s portrayal in the video both critiques and embodies this dynamic, inviting viewers to reflect on the power structures at play.
Moreover, the socio-political context of the song and video underscores the evolving nature of the American Dream. The idyllic portrayal of the Kennedy era, often romanticized as a time of hope and progress, contrasts with the contemporary reality of economic disparity and social division. The video’s depiction of opulence and tragedy serves as a metaphor for the broken promises of the American Dream, suggesting that wealth and success do not necessarily lead to happiness or fulfillment.
In conclusion, Lana Del Rey’s “National Anthem” offers a rich and multifaceted critique of contemporary American society. Through its lyrics, visuals, and cultural references, the song and video explore themes of materialism, consumerism, and the American Dream. By incorporating academic theories from Marxism, the Frankfurt School, and feminist theory, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex social and economic dynamics that Del Rey critiques. The song serves as a reminder of the pervasive influence of capitalism on our lives and the need to critically examine the values and ideals that shape our society.