In appreciation of the end-of-summer surprise that Lana has given to us fans, with the release of her singles, “Mariners Apartment Complex,” and “Venus Bitch,” I’ve decided to share some of my favorite “unreleased”* tracks of Lana’s. I’ve included my favorite lines of lyrics to each song.
*I say, “unreleased,” because while a lot of these tracks were leaked by Lana fans, some of included in this list were, at one time, “released” to the public under Lana’s former stage personas, including her “real” name, Lizzy Grant, and Lana del Ray. Although she released many demos, EPs, and singles (and an entire album as “Lana del Ray”) during these stages, they are not available to the general public on iTunes or streaming services.
JIMMY GNECCO (also known as, “Jimmy Necco”)
Just Lizzy and a guitar.
Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, take me to the park
Buy me cotton candy, kiss me in the dark
QUEEN OF DISASTER
Bubbly and fun; delightfully retro.
You got me spinning like a ballerina
You’re the bad boy I’ve always dreamed of
You’re the king, and I’m the beauty queen of disaster
KILL KILL
Lizzy Grant (a.k.a. Lana Del Ray) showcases her (soon to be) signature style.
I’m in love with a dying man
DRIVING IN CARS WITH BOYS
Great guitar hook in the background; great anthem about being a young adult. (There is an “official” version of this song and a demo version. Both are worth listening to.)
I was born to live fast, die young
Leave a beautiful corpse and life on the run
I got my cash and my Louis Vuitton, diamonds and guns
Girls just wanna, just wanna have fun
YOU CAN BE THE BOSS
Classic Lana song about a rich older man.
He has a white corvette like I want it
A fire in his eyes, know, I saw it
He’s bleeding from his brain and his wallet
He’s sick and he’s taken but honest
HOLLYWOOD
Atmospheric as hell. Lana makes Hollywood seem as glamorous as it once was — or never was.
Body electric and I dance like Morrison
When the night begins, baby comes alive again
DYNAMITE
Another upbeat pop tune, sprinkled with Lana’s style.
French vanilla ice cream
Just the way I like
Dripping on your windscreen
I can’t get a bite
DANGEROUS GIRL
Featuring an electric guitar riff that samples the Star Spangled Banner, which works surprisingly well.
He’s my drugstore cowboy
Italian alloy, classical American
And I’m America’s sweetheart
Cute, delicious sweet tart
Sipping on my Diet Coke
Singin’ in the trailer park
KINDA OUTTA LUCK
A weird little song about a lady killer. And by that, I mean an actual lady who kills her boyfriends and then dumps their bodies in the back of a truck.
Femme fatale, always on the run
Diamonds on my wrist, whiskey on my tongue
JFK
I don’t share Lana’s particular enthusiasm for this president, but I am enthusiastic about how great this song is.
You’ve got a way like JFK when you do it
The way you move it
Spins me ‘round like a record, baby
THE MAN I LOVE
Melodramatic with rich imagery.
All that’s real to me is Halloween and Jesus
Coney Island beaches
Chandeliers and seizures, honey
FLIPSIDE
Presumably a reject from Ultraviolence, which should have made the original tracklist.
You’ve got me all dressed up tonight
Springsteen on the radio
You’ve got me all freaked out tonight
YOUR GIRL (3 YEARS) (also known as, “Your Girl,” and “3 Years (Your Girl)”)
Lana perfectly captures the ache and anger in unrequited love.
I wish I was your girl
YES TO HEAVEN
Sweet and delicate.
If you dance I’ll dance
I’ll put my red dress on again
ANGELS FOREVER (FOREVER ANGELS) (also known as, “Forever Angels”)
Sometimes, when I feel sad, I put on this song, and everything seems okay.
Does the ocean inspire, easy rider?
Do the stars and the wind take you higher?
SUMMER BUMMER (SOLO VERSION)
In my opinion, this should have been released as the “official” album version.
It’s never too late to see what I wanna see
Instead of what’s in front me, yeah
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