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Lana Del Rey Wiki

"Bel Air" is a song written by Lana Del Rey and co-written and produced by Dan Heath. It is the closing track of her third EP, and second major-label release, Paradise.

Writing and inspiration[]

"Bel Air" was recorded during the sessions for Paradise. Lyrically, it references many topics that previously appeared in Del Rey's music, such as roses, palm trees, and heaven. It also references the Los Angeles neighbourhood Bel-Air.

A demo has been rumored to exist.[S 1]

Composition and recording[]

The song is an airy ballad, the prototypical sound used throughout Del Rey's career. It begins with sounds of children playing overlapped with a light piano accompaniment. Del Rey's vocals begin softly, and melodically build throughout the composition of the song. Light percussion is heard during the choruses, featuring multiple layers of Del Rey's vocals, performed in a higher pitch than previously heard on her work on Born to Die. The song ends with a fade out of the sound of the children. The song was recorded at Electric Lemon Studios and Westlake Studios in Los Angeles, California, and it was mixed at House of Blues Studios in Los Angeles, California.

Critical reception[]

Canada.com reviewer Leah Collins called "Bel Air" an Enya-channeled, eerie waltz.[1] Conversely, The Huffington Post dismissed both "Bel Air" and "Yayo" as Paradise's "filler tracks".[2] Dissatisfied with other songs on ParadiseDigital Spy said, on "Bel Air", Del Rey finally gets it right, calling the song "a snowy, Tim Burton-inspired ballad".[3]

Music video[]

Original music video[]

Music video Information
Lana_del_Rey_-_Bel_Air Released November 8, 2012
Length 4:07
Director Kyle Newman
Spencer Susser
Producer Tova Dann
Filmed April/May 2012
Location Los Angeles, CA
Vevo views N/A

Background[]

During the filming for "Summertime Sadness", Del Rey recorded extra footage that would later be used for the Paradise trailer. The excess footage was also used to construct the video for "Bel Air".[4] The video was privatized in February, 2013, for unexplained reasons although unofficial uploads still exist around the web.

Description[]

The video shows Del Rey, enrobed in a white gown, spinning and twirling slowly in a blanket of fog. The desaturated shots are colored purple, blue, green, red, sepia, and classic black and white throughout the video. The video was released as a promotional supplement on November 8, 2012, a day before the release of Paradise. The description section of the video states - "i lost my reputation, i forgot my truth. But i have my beauty and i have my youth. Tropico the film, coming next year".

Tropico music video[]

Main article: Tropico (film)

Del Rey's short film, Tropico (released December 6, 2013), contains a second music video for "Bel Air", as part of the third and final chapter of Tropico titled Bel Air. It shows Del Rey and actor Shaun Ross dancing in a field as the sun sets.

Cross-references[]

Official versions[]

  • Album version — 3:57
  • Instrumental version — 3:51

Lyrics[]

Gargoyles standing at the front of your gate
Trying to tell me to wait, but I can’t wait to see you
So I run like I'm mad to Heaven’s door
I don’t wanna be bad, I won’t cheat you no more

Roses, Bel Air
Take me there
I’ve been waiting to meet you
Palm trees in the light
I can see late at night
Darling, I’m waiting to greet you
Come to me, baby

Spotlight, bad baby, you’ve got a flair
For the violentest kind of love anywhere out there
Mon amour, sweet child of mine, you’re divine
Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s okay to shine?

Roses, Bel Air
Take me there
I’ve been waiting to meet you
Palm trees in the light
I can see late at night
Darling, I’m waiting to greet you
Come to me, baby

Don’t be afraid of me
Don’t be ashamed
Walk in the way of my soft resurrection
Idol of roses, iconic soul
I know your name
Lead me to war with your brilliant direction

Roses, Bel Air
Take me there
I’ve been waiting to meet you
Palm trees in the light
I can see late at night
Darling, I’m waiting to greet you
Come to me, baby

Roses, Bel Air
Take me there
I’ve been waiting to meet you
Grenadine, sunshine
Can you break this heart of mine?
Darling, I’m waiting to greet you
Come to me, baby

Credits[]

Personnel[a]
  • Lana Del Rey — songwriting, vocals
  • Dan Heath — songwriting, production, engineering, strings, piano
  • Tucker Robinson — engineering
  • Nikki Calvert — engineering
  • Kathleen Sloan — violins
  • Songa Lee — violins
  • Jeff Rothschild — mixing
  • Peter Stanislaus — mix engineer
  • John Davis — mastering
Technical
  • Published by EMI / Songs Music Publishing LLC o/b/o Songs of SMP (ASCAP), Yorkshire Moors (ASCAP)
  • Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
  • Recorded at Electric Lemon Studios and Westlake Studios, Los Angeles, United States
  • Mixed at House of Blues Studios, Encino, United States

Charts[]

Chart (2012) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[5] 109
UK (Official Charts Company)[6] 184
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[7] 50

References[]

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