Without You

In her song, “Without You,” from her album Born to Die, Lana del Rey speaks to the heart and soul of what it means to live in our consumer culture. Born to Die (2012) is del Rey’s debut album under the moniker, however, this was not her first work. Elizabeth Woolridge Grant recorded and released several projects prior to Born to Die under pseudonyms of May Jailer and Lizzy Grant. Her metamorphosis as an artist has led to a diverse and extensive discography which explores love, happiness, freedom, sex and more in the face of an unknown future.

In the first verse of “Without You,” del Rey sings of a seemingly perfect life, where she has everything she could possibly want--money, fame, success. She even claims to think she “found God in the flash bulbs of the pretty cameras.” Yet, as Lana takes us to the chorus it is clear something is missing from her life, rendering everything else meaningless to her. Through the second verse, Lana insists despite her life being sweet like vanilla, everything, even herself, means nothing “without you,” and she cannot help but think of a life they could have had together.

Lana has been my favorite artist since I heard her back when Born to Die released. “Without You,” was actually the first song I heard off the album. I was instantly enamored by the contrast between electronic and orchestral music along with lyrics which spoke to a wounded soul. When I think about this song in respect to our consumer society, it makes me look back on my own life. I remember feeling like I was on the outside looking in, and everything I had worked towards in my life meant nothing as long as I was the odd one out. I wanted everything, but the more I tried to fit in, the farther I felt from myself. Looking back, I wonder how different I would be now had I made different choices. Regardless, I would do it all again. I am content where my own metamorphosis has taken me.