Young and beautiful

The prompt from Jim:

Our theme this week is a bit more lively with songs that mention the words Carnival, Festival, Gala, Jamboree, Party suggested by Lady A.

“Young and Beautiful” was written by Lana Del Rey and Rick Nowels and included in the soundtrack from the movie “The Great Gatsby” directed by Baz Luhrmann. The single was released in advance of the film and reached #22 on charts.

Lana Del Rey’s career seems to have always been steeped in controversy. People either love her sound or they hate it. She has been attacked for some less than politically correct stances, and has been accused of being anti-feminist because of the lyrics of many of her songs in which the female lead seems to take a more passive or submissive role in the relationship.

”Young and Beautiful” was originally submitted for an Oscar, but controversy ensued. It seems an anonymous letter was sent to the Academy along with a forged news article saying the song was not eligible. Even after the article was proven to be fake and the song verified as eligible, for some reason it was never submitted.

Del Rey had written the chorus long before the movie and it is said Luhrmann asked her to come up with a song that would serve as a memory cue for the character of Daisy and the remaining lyrics were then written.

Like her or not, I find her voice in this song haunting and beautiful. I do not rely on entertainers or others in the public eye as my moral compass so it is easy for me to enjoy a song without agreeing or disagreeing with the performer’s opinions.

I love this video and the full string orchestra accompaniment created by directors Chris Sweeney and Sophie Mulle.

The song with clips from “The Great Gatsby”

“Young and Beautiful”
Lyrics from Songfacts.com

I’ve seen the world, done it all
Had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, in Bel-Air now
Hot summer nights, mid July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, city lights
The way you’d play with me like a child

I’ve seen the world, lit it up
As my stage now
Channeling angels in a new age now
Hot summer days, rock and roll
The way you play for me at your show
And all the ways, I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul

Dear lord, when I get to heaven
Please let me bring my man
When he comes tell me that you’ll let him in
Father tell me if you can
All that grace, all that body
All that face, makes me wanna party
He’s my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds

Will you still love me
When I’m no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I’ve got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I’m no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I’m no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I’m not young and beautiful?

Song Lyric Sunday is hosted every Sunday by Jim Adams. If you would like to join in the fun, check out his blog for the rules and to take in all the other music posted by other blogger