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Changes: Carmen (song)

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"'''Carmen'''" is a song written by [[Lana Del Rey]] and [[Justin Parker]] with production by [[Emile Haynie]]. Taken from Lana's first major-label album ''[[Born to Die (album)|Born to Die]]'', the song served as the album's second promotional single, following "[[Off to the Races (song)|Off to the Races]]". An acapella demo of the song was leaked in early 2012.
+
"'''Carmen'''" is a song written by [[Lana Del Rey]] and [[Justin Parker]] with production by [[Emile Haynie]]. Taken from Del Rey's first major-label album ''[[Born to Die (album)|Born to Die]]'', the song served as the album's second promotional single, following "[[Off to the Races (song)|Off to the Races]]". An a cappella demo of the song was leaked in early 2012.
   
 
==Background and composition==
  
==Background and composition==
Line 22: Line 23:
   
 
== Live performances ==
  
== Live performances ==
−
Del Rey first performed the song live on [[2012/April#April 10|April 10, 2012]], at the Jazz Cafe in London, United Kingdom. The song was also included in the setlist of the 2012 leg of the [[Born to Die Tour]], the [[Paradise Tour]] (2013-2014), and the [[Festival Tour]] (2016).
 +
Del Rey first performed the song live on [[2012/April#April 10|April 10, 2012]], at the Jazz Cafe in London, United Kingdom. The song was also included in the setlist of the 2012 leg of the [[Born to Die Tour]], the [[Paradise Tour]] (2013-2014), and the [[Festival Tour]] (2016). After a hiatus of 2 years, the song was performed again on [[2018/April#April 19|April 19, 2018]] in Barcelona, Spain during the [[LA to the Moon Tour]].
   
 
== Cross-references ==
  
== Cross-references ==
−
* The lyric "mind like a diamond" is also in "[[JFK (song)|JFK]]". This lyric is a quote from Twin Peaks; Lynch's work has possibly influenced Del Rey's other work, such as [[Blue Velvet (song)|Blue Velvet]], and elements of Twin Peaks - including [[Ultraviolence (song)|domestic abuse]] towards women and [[Go Go Dancer (song)|brothels]] - are also in Del Rey's songs. It is possible that Del Rey's inspiration for the alias "Lana" came from the character of the same name in Twin Peaks who entrances the local men, and [[Lolita (song)|attracts older men]] too.
 +
* The phrase "mind like a diamond" is also found in "[[JFK (song)|JFK]]". This lyric is a quote from Twin Peaks; David Lynch's work has possibly influenced Del Rey's other work, such as [[Blue Velvet (song)|Blue Velvet]], and elements of Twin Peaks - including [[Ultraviolence (song)|domestic abuse]] towards women and [[Go Go Dancer (song)|brothels]] - are also in Del Rey's songs. It is possible that Del Rey's inspiration for the alias "Lana" came from the character of the same name in Twin Peaks who entrances the local men, and [[Lolita (song)|attracts older men]] too.
 
* References to Coney Island are also present in "[[Mermaid Motel (song)|Mermaid Motel]]", "[[Off to the Races (song)|Off to the Races]]" and "[[TV in Black & White (song)|TV in Black & White]]".
  
* References to Coney Island are also present in "[[Mermaid Motel (song)|Mermaid Motel]]", "[[Off to the Races (song)|Off to the Races]]" and "[[TV in Black & White (song)|TV in Black & White]]".
 
* Del Rey also sings in french on "[[Moi Je Joue (song)|Moi Je Joue]]".
  
* Del Rey also sings in french on "[[Moi Je Joue (song)|Moi Je Joue]]".
 
* References to butterflies are also present in "[[Butterflies (song)|Butterflies]]", "[[Butterflies, Pt. 2 (song)|Butterflies, Pt. 2]]" and "[[Heavy Hitter (song)|Heavy Hitter]]".
  
* References to butterflies are also present in "[[Butterflies (song)|Butterflies]]", "[[Butterflies, Pt. 2 (song)|Butterflies, Pt. 2]]" and "[[Heavy Hitter (song)|Heavy Hitter]]".
−
* A red dress is also mentioned in "[[Summertime Sadness (song)|Summertime Sadness]]", "[[Cruel World (song)|Cruel World]]", "[[Off to the Races (song)|Off to the Races]]", "[[Yes to Heaven (song)|Yes to Heaven]]" and "[[Criminals Run the World (song)|Criminals Run the World]]".
 +
* A red dress is mentioned in "[[Summertime Sadness (song)|Summertime Sadness]]", "[[Cruel World (song)|Cruel World]]", "[[Off to the Races (song)|Off to the Races]]", "[[Yes to Heaven (song)|Yes to Heaven]]" and "[[Criminals Run the World (song)|Criminals Run the World]]".
−
* "Soft ice cream" is also a frequent phrase in "[[Salvatore (song)|Salvatore]]".
 +
* The phrase "cocaine heart" from the demo also appears in "[[Off to the Races (song)|Off to the Races]]".
−
* The lyric "darling, darling" is also repeated in "[[Cherry (song)|Cherry]]".
 +
* Cherries are also mentioned in "[[Cherry (song)|Cherry]]" and "[[This Is What Makes Us Girls (song)|This Is What Makes Us Girls]]".
  +
* "Soft ice cream" is mentioned in "[[Salvatore (song)|Salvatore]]".
−
* Del Rey mentions the lyric "kindness of strangers" in "[[Kinda Outta Luck (song)|Kinda Outta Luck]]" and in the "[[Ride (song)|Ride]]" music video monologue.
  
  +
* The phrase "darling, darling" is also repeated in "[[Cherry (song)|Cherry]]".
⚫
* Getting high is a common subject in songs such as "[[High by the Beach (song)|High by the Beach]]", "[[Florida Kilos (song)|Florida Kilos]]", "[[Hollywood (song)|Hollywood]]", among others.
  
−
* The feeling of being "alive again" is also described in "[[Paradise (song)|Paradise]]" and "[[Hollywood (song)|Hollywood]]".
+
* Del Rey mentions the phrase "kindness of strangers" in "[[Kinda Outta Luck (song)|Kinda Outta Luck]]" and in the "[[Ride (song)|Ride]]" music video monologue.
  ⚫
* Getting high is a common subject in songs such as "[[High by the Beach (song)|High by the Beach]]", "[[Florida Kilos (song)|Florida Kilos]]" and "[[Hollywood (song)|Hollywood]]".
  +
* The feeling of being "alive again" is also described in "[[Paradise (song)|Paradise]]" and "[[Hollywood (song)|Hollywood]]".
   
 
==Music video==
  
==Music video==
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|filmed= June, 2011
  
|filmed= June, 2011
 
|location=
 
|location=
−
|vevo views= N/A
 +
|vevo views= 38+ Million views
 
}}
  
}}
   
−
==== Background & description ====
 +
==== Background and description ====
−
On February 27, 2012, Del Rey revealed through her Facebook page that she just finished editing the music video for "Carmen". The singer premiered the music video on April 21, 2012. The video opens with Instagram-style snapshots of New York City, spliced together with scenes of old Hollywood paparazzi, a rose, and shots of Lana herself. Once the song begins, we see a dressed woman working a pole, then Lana on a city porch. The song goes on to feature black and white photo stills, animated food scenes, Lana riding the back of a motorcycle operated by the model Josh Rachlin and multiple references to drugs and troubled youth. In one scene, Lana is behind the camera interviewing Rachlin, asking him about his dream girl and giggling. The video ends with the Erik Satie's song "Gymnopédie No.1." and a woman dancing in a field until the word “Fin” ("the end" in French) graces the screen.
 +
On February 27, 2012, Del Rey revealed through her Facebook page that she had finished editing the music video for "Carmen". Del Rey premiered the music video on April 21, 2012. The video opens with Instagram-style snapshots of New York City, spliced together with scenes of old Hollywood paparazzi, a rose, and shots of Del Rey herself. Once the song begins, we see a dressed woman working a pole, then Del Rey on a city porch. The song goes on to feature black and white photo stills, animated food scenes, Del Rey riding the back of a motorcycle operated by the model Josh Rachlin and multiple references to drugs and troubled youth. In one scene, Del Rey is behind the camera interviewing Rachlin, asking him about his dream girl and giggling. The video ends with Erik Satie's piano composition "Gymnopédie No.1" and a woman dancing in a field until the word "Fin" ("the end" in French) graces the screen.
   
 
{{CarmenMVGallery}}
  
{{CarmenMVGallery}}
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* Album version — 4:08
  
* Album version — 4:08
 
* Demo version — 4:17 <small>(produced by Justin Parker)</small>
  
* Demo version — 4:17 <small>(produced by Justin Parker)</small>
−
* Acapella demo — 3:06
 +
* A cappella demo — 3:06
 
* Instrumental version — 4:07
  
* Instrumental version — 4:07
   
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===Album version===
  
===Album version===
 
{{Scroll box
  
{{Scroll box
−
|content=<poem>
 +
|content = <poem>
−
Darlin', darlin', doesn't have a problem
 +
Darlin', darlin'
  ⚫
Doesn't have a problem
⚫
Lyin' to herself 'cause her liquor's top shelf
  
  +
Lyin' to herself
⚫
It's alarmin', honestly, how charming she can be
  
  ⚫
'Cause her liquor's top shelf
−
Fooling everyone, tellin' 'em she's having fun
  
  +
It's alarming honestly
  ⚫
How charming she can be
  +
Fooling everyone
  +
Telling them she's having fun
   
−
She says, "You don't wanna be like me
 +
She says, "You don't want to be like me, don't want to see all the things I've seen"
  ⚫
I'm dyin', I'm dyin'
−
Don't wanna see all the things I've seen
  
  ⚫
She says, "You don't want to get this way, famous and dumb at an early age"
⚫
I'm dyin', I'm dyin'"
  
  ⚫
Lyin', I'm lyin'
   
  ⚫
The boys, the girls
⚫
She says, "You don't wanna get this way
  
  +
They all like Carmen
−
Famous and dumb at an early age
  
  ⚫
She gives them butterflies
⚫
Lyin', I'm lyin'"
  
  +
Bats her cartoon eyes
−  
⚫
The boys, the girls, they all like Carmen
  
⚫
She gives them butterflies, bats her cartoon eyes
  
⚫
She laughs like God, her mind's like a diamond
  
−
Audio tune lies, she's still shining
  
−
Like lightning, whoa, like lightning
  
   
  +
She laughs like God
−
Carmen, Carmen, stayin' up till mornin'
  
  ⚫
Her mind's like a diamond
⚫
Only seventeen but she walks the streets so mean
  
  +
Audiotune lies
−
It's alarmin', truly, how disarmin' you can be
  
  +
She's still shinin'
⚫
Eatin' soft ice cream, Coney Island queen
  
  +
Like lightning
  +
White lightning
   
  +
Carmen, Carmen
−
She says, "You don't wanna be like me
  
  +
Staying up till morning
−
Lookin' for fun, gettin' high for free
  
  ⚫
Only 17, but she walks the streets so mean
⚫
I'm dyin', I'm dyin'"
  
  +
It's alarming truly
  +
How disarming you can be
  ⚫
Eatin' soft ice cream
  +
Coney Island queen
   
−
She says, "You don't wanna get this way
 +
She says, "You don't want to be like me, lookin' for fun, gettin' high for free"
  ⚫
I'm dyin', I'm dyin'
−
Streetwalk at night, and a star by day
  
  +
She says, "You don't want to get this way, street walk at night, and a star by day"
 
It's tirin', tirin'
  
It's tirin', tirin'
   
−
The boys, the girls, they all like Carmen
 +
The boys, the girls
  +
They all like Carmen
−
She gives them butterflies, bats her cartoon eyes
 +
She gives them butterflies
⚫
She laughs like God, her mind's like a diamond
  
  +
Bats her cartoon eyes
−
Audio tune lies, she's still shining
  
  +
−
Like lightning, whoa, like lightning
  
  +
She laughs like God
  ⚫
Her mind's like a diamond
  +
Audiotune lies
  +
She's still shinin'
  +
Like lightning
  +
White lightning
   
 
Baby's all dressed up with nowhere to go
  
Baby's all dressed up with nowhere to go
 
That's the little story of the girl you know
  
That's the little story of the girl you know
−
Relyin' on the kindness of strangers
 +
Relying on the kindness of strangers
−
Tyin' cherry knots, smilin', doin' party favors
 +
Tying cherry knots
  +
Smiling, doing party favours
 
Put your red dress on, put your lipstick on
  
Put your red dress on, put your lipstick on
−
Sing your song, song, now, the camera's on
 +
Sing your song, song, now the camera's on
 
And you're alive again
  
And you're alive again
   
 
Mon amour, je sais que tu m'aimes aussi
  
Mon amour, je sais que tu m'aimes aussi
−
Tu as besoin de moi
 +
Tu as besoin de moi, tu as besoin dans ta vie
−
Tu as besoin de moi dans ta vie
  
 
Tu ne peux vivre sans moi
  
Tu ne peux vivre sans moi
−
Et je mourrai sans toi
 +
Et je mourrai sans toi, je tuerai pour toi
−
Je tuerais pour toi
  
   
−
The boys, the girls, they all like Carmen
 +
The boys, the girls
  +
They all like Carmen
−
She gives them butterflies, bats her cartoon eyes
 +
She gives them butterflies
⚫
She laughs like God, her mind's like a diamond
  
  +
Bats her cartoon eyes
−
Audio tune lies, she's still shining
  
−
Like lightning, whoa, like lightning
  
−
Like lightning, whoa, like lightning
  
   
  +
She laughs like God
⚫
Darling, darlin', doesn't have a problem
  
  ⚫
Her mind's like a diamond
⚫
Lyin' to herself 'cause her liquor's top shelf
  
  +
Audiotune lies
⚫
</poem>}}
  
  +
She's still shinin'
  +
Like lightning
  +
White lightning.
  +
  +
Darlin', darlin'
  +
Doesn't have a problem
  +
Lyin' to herself
  ⚫
'Cause her liquor's top shelf
  ⚫
</poem>
  +
}}
   
−
===Acapella demo version===
 +
===A cappella demo===
 
{{Scroll box
  
{{Scroll box
 
|content=<poem>
  
|content=<poem>
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
  
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
 
|-
  
|-
−
! scope="col"|Country
 +
! scope="col" |Country
−
! scope="col"|Date
 +
! scope="col" |Date
−
! scope="col"|Format
 +
! scope="col" |Format
−
! scope="col"|Label
 +
! scope="col" |Label
 
|-
  
|-
−
|scope="row"|Austria
 +
| scope="row" |Austria
−
|rowspan=3|January 26, 2012
 +
| rowspan="3" |January 26, 2012
−
|rowspan=3|Digital download
 +
| rowspan="3" |Digital download
−
|rowspan=3|Universal Music Group
 +
| rowspan="3" |Universal Music Group
 
|-
  
|-
−
|scope="row"|Germany
 +
| scope="row" |Germany
 
|-
  
|-
−
|scope="row"|Switzerland
 +
| scope="row" |Switzerland
 
|}
  
|}
   

Revision as of 18:49, 16 May 2020

"Carmen" is a song written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker with production by Emile Haynie. Taken from Del Rey's first major-label album Born to Die, the song served as the album's second promotional single, following "Off to the Races". An a cappella demo of the song was leaked in early 2012.

Background and composition

"Carmen" was written with Justin Parker and produced by Emile Haynie with additional production by Jeff Bhasker and Parker. In an interview for The Sun, Del Rey revealed that the song was about "a doomed woman who sells her body on the streets" of Coney Island, which Del Rey viewed as an "important [place] to [her]" throughout her career in New York City.[1] Del Rey told Complex that the melody and the lyrics of "Carmen" "come together".[2]

Critical reception

"Carmen" was acclaimed by most critics for its ability to tell a story and haunt with its intense lyrics of the downside to fame. Noted as a cautionary hint of any downside to such a debauched lifestyle that Del Rey portrays on her album, Andy Gill of The Independent describes the song as a metaphor used by Del Rey for her "synthetic life experience."[3] Alex Denney of NME described the song as "a winner" with Del Rey’s richly suggestive tones conjuring the ghosts of Lauren Bacall’s classic femme-fatales.[4] While reviewing the album and describing the song as the point where "things start to pick up," John Capone of Prefix Magazine described the song as a "three-Xanax-and-gin-martini-cocktail broken-hearted baroque ballad."[5] Angela Okhumoya of Addictmusic showed appreciation for Del Rey's writing abilities on "Carmen" stating that it is "better than most of her contemporaries."[6] Dom Gourlay of Contactmusic gave the song a positive review, stating "You want hip-hop beats? Check. Radio friendly choruses? Check. Singalong verses for the hen party and karaoke masses? Check."[7] Rob Harvilla of Spin noted the song for its ability to "gently ascends/descends to Drake/Weeknd empty-hedonism poignancy."[8] Billboard called the song a "poor man's version of far-superior (and hookier) anthems like "Roxanne".[9]

Live performances

Del Rey first performed the song live on April 10, 2012, at the Jazz Cafe in London, United Kingdom. The song was also included in the setlist of the 2012 leg of the Born to Die Tour, the Paradise Tour (2013-2014), and the Festival Tour (2016). After a hiatus of 2 years, the song was performed again on April 19, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain during the LA to the Moon Tour.

Cross-references

Music video

Music video Information
CARMEN Released April 21, 2012
Length 5:16
Director Lana Del Rey
Producer
Filmed June, 2011
Location
Vevo views 38+ Million views

Background and description

On February 27, 2012, Del Rey revealed through her Facebook page that she had finished editing the music video for "Carmen". Del Rey premiered the music video on April 21, 2012. The video opens with Instagram-style snapshots of New York City, spliced together with scenes of old Hollywood paparazzi, a rose, and shots of Del Rey herself. Once the song begins, we see a dressed woman working a pole, then Del Rey on a city porch. The song goes on to feature black and white photo stills, animated food scenes, Del Rey riding the back of a motorcycle operated by the model Josh Rachlin and multiple references to drugs and troubled youth. In one scene, Del Rey is behind the camera interviewing Rachlin, asking him about his dream girl and giggling. The video ends with Erik Satie's piano composition "Gymnopédie No.1" and a woman dancing in a field until the word "Fin" ("the end" in French) graces the screen.

Photoshoot by Martin Zähringer (June 11, 2011)

Official versions

  • Album version — 4:08
  • Demo version — 4:17 (produced by Justin Parker)
  • A cappella demo — 3:06
  • Instrumental version — 4:07

Lyrics

Album version

Darlin', darlin'
Doesn't have a problem
Lyin' to herself
'Cause her liquor's top shelf
It's alarming honestly
How charming she can be
Fooling everyone
Telling them she's having fun

She says, "You don't want to be like me, don't want to see all the things I've seen"
I'm dyin', I'm dyin'
She says, "You don't want to get this way, famous and dumb at an early age"
Lyin', I'm lyin'

The boys, the girls
They all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies
Bats her cartoon eyes

She laughs like God
Her mind's like a diamond
Audiotune lies
She's still shinin'
Like lightning
White lightning

Carmen, Carmen
Staying up till morning
Only 17, but she walks the streets so mean
It's alarming truly
How disarming you can be
Eatin' soft ice cream
Coney Island queen

She says, "You don't want to be like me, lookin' for fun, gettin' high for free"
I'm dyin', I'm dyin'
She says, "You don't want to get this way, street walk at night, and a star by day"
It's tirin', tirin'

The boys, the girls
They all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies
Bats her cartoon eyes

She laughs like God
Her mind's like a diamond
Audiotune lies
She's still shinin'
Like lightning
White lightning

Baby's all dressed up with nowhere to go
That's the little story of the girl you know
Relying on the kindness of strangers
Tying cherry knots
Smiling, doing party favours
Put your red dress on, put your lipstick on
Sing your song, song, now the camera's on
And you're alive again

Mon amour, je sais que tu m'aimes aussi
Tu as besoin de moi, tu as besoin dans ta vie
Tu ne peux vivre sans moi
Et je mourrai sans toi, je tuerai pour toi

The boys, the girls
They all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies
Bats her cartoon eyes

She laughs like God
Her mind's like a diamond
Audiotune lies
She's still shinin'
Like lightning
White lightning.

Darlin', darlin'
Doesn't have a problem
Lyin' to herself
'Cause her liquor's top shelf

A cappella demo

The boys, the girls, they all like Carmen
She gives them butterflies, bats her cartoon eyes
She laughs like God, her mind's like a diamond
Audio tune lies, but she's still shinin', shinin', shinin'

Darlin', darlin', doesn't have a problem
Lyin' to herself, says her liquor's top shelf
It's alarmin', honestly, how charmin' she can be
She's fooling everyone, tellin' 'em she's havin' fun

The night descends and there goes Carmen
Only seventeen, but she walks the streets so mean
The men, they stop when she walks by 'em
Whisper, "Who is she?" La princesa de la silence
Her walk is art; her words are lightnin'
Strikin' everyone when she pass by them

Carmen, darlin', doesn't have a problem
She's lyin' to herself 'cause her liquor's top shelf
It's alarmin', honestly, how charmin' she can be
She's foolin' everyone, tellin' 'em she's havin' fun

She looks animated like a cartoon baby
With her tiara smile and her shortcake heart
Yo, she looks animated like a cartoon baby
with her champagne sex and her cocaine heart

She's like a light that you can't turn off
Gettin' too bright and you need to stop
But you can't turn off and you're gettin' hot
And your body keeps twistin', movin', twistin', movin', shakin', yeah
Twistin', movin', shakin', yeah
Dance 'til dawn, yeah, you dance 'til you drop

Carmen, Carmen, doesn't have a problem
Lyin' to herself 'cause her liquor's top shelf
Oh, it's alarmin', honest, how disarmin' she can be
You're foolin' everyone when inside you know you're dyin'
 
Carmen, Carmen, doesn't have a problem
Lyin' to herself 'cause her liquor's top shelf

Credits

Personnel
  • Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
  • Justin Parker — songwriting, vocal production
  • Emile Haynie — production, drums, guitar, keyboards
  • Jeff Bhasker — additional production, additional keyboards, additional strings
  • Lenha Labelle — French vocals
  • Larry Gold — strings arrangement and conduction
  • Steve Tirpak — strings assistance
  • Manny Marroquin — mixing
  • Erik Madrid & Chris Galland — assistance
  • John Davis — mastering
Technical
  • Published by EMI / Sony ATV
  • Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Austria January 26, 2012 Digital download Universal Music Group
Germany
Switzerland

References

  1. ↑ http://beta.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/4091590/When-I-write-songs-I-stand-under-the-telephone-wires-and-take-in-their-energy.html
  2. ↑ http://www.complex.com/covers/lana-del-rey-interview-against-the-grain-2014-cover-story/
  3. ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-lana-del-rey-born-to-die-interscopepolydor-6295631.html
  4. ↑ http://www.nme.com/reviews/lana-del-rey/12692
  5. ↑ http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/lana-del-rey/born-to-die/61168/
  6. ↑ http://www.addictmusic.co.uk/reviews/album-reviews/lana-del-rey-born-to-die-polydorinterscope/
  7. ↑ http://www.contactmusic.com/album-review/lana-del-rey-born-to-die
  8. ↑ http://www.spin.com/reviews/lana-del-rey-born-die-interscope
  9. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20140704085554/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1067142/lana-del-reys-born-to-die-track-by-track-review


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