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|artist = Lana Del Rey
 
|artist = Lana Del Rey
 
|written = [[Lana Del Rey]]<br>[[Rick Nowels]]
 
|written = [[Lana Del Rey]]<br>[[Rick Nowels]]
|producer = [[Rick Nowels]]<br>[[DK]]
+
|producer = Rick Nowels
  +
|altproducer = [[Devrim Karaoğlu|DK]]
|time = 4:20
 
  +
|time = 4:20<br><small>(See [[#Official versions|official versions]])</small>
|Source = [[File:Plogo.png|125px|link=Paradise (album)]]
+
|Source = [[File:Plogo.png|125px|link=Paradise (EP)]]
 
|Singles = {{PS}}
 
|Singles = {{PS}}
 
|DS = {{PDS}}
 
|DS = {{PDS}}
|album = [[Paradise (album)|Paradise]]
+
|album = [[Paradise (EP)|Paradise]]
 
|previous = "[[American (song)|American]]"
 
|previous = "[[American (song)|American]]"
 
|next = "[[Body Electric (song)|Body Electric]]"
 
|next = "[[Body Electric (song)|Body Electric]]"
 
}}"'''Cola'''" (also known as "'''My Pussy Tastes Like Pepsi Cola'''"<ref>APRA|AMCOS title search lists "My Pussy Tastes Like Pepsi Cola" as an alias of "Cola" (APRA ID: GW43398940)</ref> or simply "'''Pussy'''") is a song by [[Lana Del Rey]] off her third studio EP and third major-label release, ''[[Paradise (EP)|Paradise]]''. The track was co-written with [[Rick Nowels]], who also produced the track. Del Rey stated in an interview that "Cola" was due to serve as the second single from ''Paradise'' worldwide, but no release date was set and the release was scrapped.
}}
 
"'''Cola'''" (alternately registered as "'''Pussy'''" and "'''My Pussy Tastes Like Pepsi Cola'''"<ref>APRA|AMCOS title search lists "My Pussy Tastes Like Pepsi Cola" as an alias of "Cola" (APRA ID: GW43398940)</ref>) is a song by [[Lana Del Rey]] off her third EP and second major release, ''[[Paradise (EP)|Paradise]]''. The track was written by Lana Del Rey and [[Rick Nowels]], who also produced the track. Del Rey stated in an interview that "'''Cola'''" was due to serve as the second single from ''[[Paradise (EP)|Paradise]]'' worldwide, but no release date was set and the release was scrapped.
 
   
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
Del Rey revealed in an interview on [[2012/November#November 13|November 13, 2012]] with KIIS FM Radio that the song would be released as the second single off ''[[Paradise (EP)|Paradise]]'', but no further details or release dates were announced since.
+
Del Rey revealed in an interview on [[2012/November#November 13|November 13, 2012]] with KIIS FM Radio that the song would be released as the second single off ''[[Paradise (EP)|Paradise]]'', but no further details or release dates were announced since. The song's official instrumental leaked on November 17, 2018.
   
 
==Critical reception==
 
==Critical reception==
 
"Cola" received polarized reviews. "Fresh" and "is-she-serious?" have been some of the reactions to the lyrics included on "Cola", specifically the line "My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola", which sparked controversy.<ref>http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/7725851/Lana-Del-Rey-releases-afterthought</ref> ''Hindustan Times'' criticized the song snippet, saying it proved she was running out of ideas and that the song sounded strangely similar to the other album tracks.<ref>http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Music/Lana-Del-Rey-floats-latest-album-sampler/Article1-935533.aspx</ref> Robert Copsey of Digital Spy noted that the hooks on "Cola" were polished, but did not compromise Del Rey's bold image.<ref>http://www.digitalspy.com/music/albumreviews/a437881/lana-del-rey-paradise-ep-review.html?rss</ref> Noticing how the other tracks on ''[[Paradise (EP)|Paradise]]'' sound rhythmically similar, ''Slant ''magazine said: "Cola" is the opposite, pushing Del Rey's pop-art take on signifier-addled femme fatality too far into the realm of cheekiness, but also shattering a persona that already exists inside a hall of mirrors."<ref>http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/lana-del-rey-paradise/2923</ref>
 
"Cola" received polarized reviews. "Fresh" and "is-she-serious?" have been some of the reactions to the lyrics included on "Cola", specifically the line "My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola", which sparked controversy.<ref>http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/7725851/Lana-Del-Rey-releases-afterthought</ref> ''Hindustan Times'' criticized the song snippet, saying it proved she was running out of ideas and that the song sounded strangely similar to the other album tracks.<ref>http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Music/Lana-Del-Rey-floats-latest-album-sampler/Article1-935533.aspx</ref> Robert Copsey of Digital Spy noted that the hooks on "Cola" were polished, but did not compromise Del Rey's bold image.<ref>http://www.digitalspy.com/music/albumreviews/a437881/lana-del-rey-paradise-ep-review.html?rss</ref> Noticing how the other tracks on ''[[Paradise (EP)|Paradise]]'' sound rhythmically similar, ''Slant ''magazine said: "Cola" is the opposite, pushing Del Rey's pop-art take on signifier-addled femme fatality too far into the realm of cheekiness, but also shattering a persona that already exists inside a hall of mirrors."<ref>http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/lana-del-rey-paradise/2923</ref>
   
  +
== Live performances ==
==Cross references==
 
  +
Del Rey performed the song live for the first time on the first date of the [[Paradise Tour]] on April 3, 2013, in Amnéville, France, as the first song in the setlist. "Cola" served as the opening song for the duration of the tour through 2013 to 2014, with the exception of the last six shows from October 6 to 18, 2014, where she performed "[[Cruel World (song)|Cruel World]]" as the opening song instead. The song has since been included as part of the setlist for the 2015 [[Endless Summer Tour]] and the 2016 [[Festival Tour]]. When Del Rey performs the song live, she often alters the original lyrics by singing a repetition of: "We can work it out, work it real fine", or a close variation of that, to end the performance. In late 2017, Del Rey stated that she would retire from performing the song live due to controversy.<ref name="MTV">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=FTUk2AOuZhM MTV News (October 31, 2017). "Lana Del Rey Talks Next Music Video & Tour w/ Kali Uchis & Jhené Aiko". ''YouTube''.]</ref>
*"Cherry pies" are also mentioned in "[[Betty Boop Boop (song)|Betty Boop Boop]]" among other songs.
 
  +
*"Harvey's in the sky with diamonds" is a similar lyric to "Lucy's in the sky with ice" from "[[Television Heaven (song)|Television Heaven"]]. They both come from the lyric "Lucy is in the sky with diamonds" which is a song of the Beatles.
 
  +
==Controversy and Retirement==
*"Pretty baby" is used in many songs, like "[[Florida Kilos (song)|Florida Kilos]]", "[[For K, Pt. 2 (song)|For K, Pt. 2]]", or "[[Pretty Baby (song)|Pretty Baby]]".
 
  +
During October 2017, film executive Harvey Weinstein was fired from his production company, The Weinstein Company, following numerous sexual abuse allegations from women in the film industry. Media brought Del Rey into the controversy through speculation that Weinstein was subject of the song "Cola", citing the line "Harvey’s in the sky with diamonds and he’s making me crazy". In an interview for MTV which was published on October 31, 2017, Del Rey confirmed that the song was not directly written about him, but was written about a character based on Harvey Weinstein and Harry Winston, whom she envisioned as a "benevolent diamond bestowing upon starlets visual". She further commented that she now finds the song sad and uncomfortable, and will no longer be performing it live, aka "retiring" it..<ref name="MTV" />
  +
 
==Cross-references==
  +
*Cola is also mentioned in "[[Us Against the World (song)|Us Against the World]]" and "[[Serial Killer (song)|Serial Killer]]".
 
*Cherry pies are mentioned in "[[Betty Boop Boop (song)|Betty Boop Boop]]", among other songs.
 
*"Harvey's in the sky with diamonds" is a similar lyric to "Lucy's in the sky with ice" from "[[Television Heaven (song)|Television Heaven"]]. Both referenced from "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" which is a song by The Beatles.
 
*A "pretty baby" is mentioned in "[[Florida Kilos (song)|Florida Kilos]]", "[[For K, Pt. 2 (song)|For K, Pt. 2]]" and the [[Pretty Baby (song)|song of the same name]].
 
*Vanilla ice cream is also mentioned in both "[[Dynamite (song)|Dynamite"]] and "[[Paradise (song)|Paradise]]".
 
*Vanilla ice cream is also mentioned in both "[[Dynamite (song)|Dynamite"]] and "[[Paradise (song)|Paradise]]".
  +
*Del Rey sings about decorating her neck with jewelry in "[[Raise Me Up (Mississippi South) (song)|Raise Me Up (Mississippi South)]]".
  +
*Del Rey also references her dad in "[[Is This Happiness (song)|Is This Happiness]]" and "[[Ride (song)|Ride]]".
  +
  +
==Official versions==
  +
* Album version — 4:20
  +
* Clean version — 4:20
  +
* Instrumental version — 4:19
   
 
==Lyrics==
 
==Lyrics==
 
{{Scroll box
 
{{Scroll box
 
|content=<poem>
 
|content=<poem>
My pussy taste like Pepsi-Cola
+
My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola
 
My eyes are wide like cherry pies
 
My eyes are wide like cherry pies
 
I gots a taste for men who're older
 
I gots a taste for men who're older
Line 40: Line 54:
 
Come on, baby, let's ride
 
Come on, baby, let's ride
 
We can escape to the great sunshine
 
We can escape to the great sunshine
I know your wife and she wouldn't mind
+
I know your wife, and she wouldn't mind
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
Line 52: Line 66:
   
 
I fall asleep in an American flag
 
I fall asleep in an American flag
I wear my diamonds on skid row
+
I wear my diamonds on Skid Row
 
I pledge allegiance to my dad
 
I pledge allegiance to my dad
 
For teaching me everything he knows
 
For teaching me everything he knows
Line 62: Line 76:
 
Come on, baby, let's ride
 
Come on, baby, let's ride
 
We can escape to the great sunshine
 
We can escape to the great sunshine
I know your wife and she wouldn't mind
+
I know your wife, and she wouldn't mind
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
   
Drugs, suck it up like vanilla Icees
+
Drugs, suck it up like vanilla icys
Don’t treat me rough, treat me really niceys
+
Don't treat me rough, treat me really niceys
 
Decorate my neck, diamantes ices
 
Decorate my neck, diamantes ices
 
Why, come on, come on
 
Why, come on, come on
Line 74: Line 88:
 
Ooh, yeah
 
Ooh, yeah
   
Come on, baby, let’s ride
+
Come on, baby, let's ride
 
We can escape to the great sunshine
 
We can escape to the great sunshine
I know your wife and she wouldn’t mind
+
I know your wife, and she wouldn't mind
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
   
Come on, baby, let’s ride
+
Come on, baby, let's ride
 
We can escape to the great sunshine
 
We can escape to the great sunshine
 
We made it out to the other side
 
We made it out to the other side
Line 100: Line 114:
   
 
==Monologue==
 
==Monologue==
Similar to the style of the monologue used in the introduction of the "[[Ride (song)|Ride]]" music video, a monolgue speech was recorded to the introduction of the "Cola" instrumental and was later used in a promotional video used to accompany the [[2013/April|April, 2013]] edition of L'Officiel Paris, a French fashion magazine which features Del Rey as "Rosalita", Mexico's movie star queen. The monologue is a reading of Walt Whitman's poem "Song of Myself."
+
Similar to the style of the monologue used in the introduction of the "[[Ride (song)|Ride]]" music video, a monologue speech was recorded to the introduction of the "Cola" instrumental and was later used in a promotional video used to accompany the [[2013/April|April, 2013]] edition of ''L'Officiel'' Paris, a French fashion magazine which features Del Rey as "Rosalita", Mexico's movie star queen. The monologue is a reading of Walt Whitman's poem "Song of Myself".
   
In addition to being used in the video for L'Officiel, it was also believed by fans that the monologue would be featured in a music video for "Cola", but as no official video was ever announced or released.
+
In addition to being used in the video for ''L'Officiel'', it was also believed by fans that the monologue would be featured in a music video for "Cola", but no official video was ever announced or released.
   
 
=== Lyrics ===
 
=== Lyrics ===
Line 120: Line 134:
   
 
== Intro ==
 
== Intro ==
At many of Del Rey's 2014 performances, an intro would be played before Del Rey performed "Cola". Since "Cola" was the first song to be played at most of her 2014 concerts, the piece served as an introduction to the concert and played before Del Rey walked on stage. It features a similar instrumental to "Cola" and different lyrics. Some fans refer to it as "Cruel World (Intro)" [not to be confused with [[Cruel World (song)|"Cruel World" (song)]]].
+
At many of Del Rey's 2014 performances, an intro would be played before Del Rey performed "Cola". Since "Cola" was the first song to be played at most of her 2014 concerts, the piece served as an introduction to the concert and played before Del Rey walked on stage. It features a similar instrumental to "Cola" and different lyrics. Some fans refer to it as "Cruel World Intro" (not to be confused with "[[Cruel World (song)|Cruel World]]").
   
 
=== Lyrics ===
 
=== Lyrics ===
Line 131: Line 145:
   
 
Let the light shine in
 
Let the light shine in
It’s a cruel world
+
It's a cruel world
 
</poem>}}
 
</poem>}}
 
* Note: these lyrics refer to the version that was played on [[2014/June#June 28|June 28, 2014]], at Glastonbury.
 
* Note: these lyrics refer to the version that was played on [[2014/June#June 28|June 28, 2014]], at Glastonbury.
   
 
==Credits==
 
==Credits==
'''Personnel'''
+
;'''Personnel'''
  +
*Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
*Strings, Electric guitar, Glockenspiel Piano & Synthesiser — Patrick Warren
 
  +
*Rick Nowels — songwriting, production, keyboards, Juno bass, acoustic guitar, drums
*Acoustic guitar, Juno bass & Keyboards — Rick Nowels
 
  +
*DK — co-production
*Slide guitar — Tim Pierce
 
  +
*Kieron Menzies — recording, drum programming, mixing
*Drums — Rick Nowels, Devrim Karaoglu
 
  +
*Chris Garcia & Jordan Stilwell — additional recording
*Drum programming & Recording — Kieron Menzies
 
  +
*Patrick Warren — strings, glockenspiel, brass, organ, piano, synthesizer
*Additional recording — Chris Garcia and Jordan Stilwell
 
*MixingKieron Menzies
+
*Tim Pierceslide guitar
  +
*Devrim Karaoglu — drums
*Mastering engineer — John Davis for Metropolis Mastering (London)
 
  +
*John Davis — mastering
  +
;'''Technical'''
  +
*Published by EMI / R-Rated Music
  +
*Administered by EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP)
  +
*Recorded at The Green Building, Santa Monica, United States
  +
*Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
   
 
==Charts==
 
==Charts==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col"| Chart (2012)
+
! scope="col" | Chart (2012)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
+
! scope="col" | Peak<br />position
 
|-
 
|-
 
!France (SNEP)<ref>http://www.lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Lana+Del+Rey&titel=Cola&cat=s</ref>
 
!France (SNEP)<ref>http://www.lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Lana+Del+Rey&titel=Cola&cat=s</ref>
Line 166: Line 186:
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
 
 
{{Navbox album Paradise}}
 
{{Navbox album Paradise}}
 
[[Category:Paradise songs]]
 
[[Category:Paradise songs]]

Revision as of 00:00, 20 May 2020

"Cola" (also known as "My Pussy Tastes Like Pepsi Cola"[1] or simply "Pussy") is a song by Lana Del Rey off her third studio EP and third major-label release, Paradise. The track was co-written with Rick Nowels, who also produced the track. Del Rey stated in an interview that "Cola" was due to serve as the second single from Paradise worldwide, but no release date was set and the release was scrapped.

Background

Del Rey revealed in an interview on November 13, 2012 with KIIS FM Radio that the song would be released as the second single off Paradise, but no further details or release dates were announced since. The song's official instrumental leaked on November 17, 2018.

Critical reception

"Cola" received polarized reviews. "Fresh" and "is-she-serious?" have been some of the reactions to the lyrics included on "Cola", specifically the line "My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola", which sparked controversy.[2] Hindustan Times criticized the song snippet, saying it proved she was running out of ideas and that the song sounded strangely similar to the other album tracks.[3] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy noted that the hooks on "Cola" were polished, but did not compromise Del Rey's bold image.[4] Noticing how the other tracks on Paradise sound rhythmically similar, Slant magazine said: "Cola" is the opposite, pushing Del Rey's pop-art take on signifier-addled femme fatality too far into the realm of cheekiness, but also shattering a persona that already exists inside a hall of mirrors."[5]

Live performances

Del Rey performed the song live for the first time on the first date of the Paradise Tour on April 3, 2013, in Amnéville, France, as the first song in the setlist. "Cola" served as the opening song for the duration of the tour through 2013 to 2014, with the exception of the last six shows from October 6 to 18, 2014, where she performed "Cruel World" as the opening song instead. The song has since been included as part of the setlist for the 2015 Endless Summer Tour and the 2016 Festival Tour. When Del Rey performs the song live, she often alters the original lyrics by singing a repetition of: "We can work it out, work it real fine", or a close variation of that, to end the performance. In late 2017, Del Rey stated that she would retire from performing the song live due to controversy.[6]

Controversy and Retirement

During October 2017, film executive Harvey Weinstein was fired from his production company, The Weinstein Company, following numerous sexual abuse allegations from women in the film industry. Media brought Del Rey into the controversy through speculation that Weinstein was subject of the song "Cola", citing the line "Harvey’s in the sky with diamonds and he’s making me crazy". In an interview for MTV which was published on October 31, 2017, Del Rey confirmed that the song was not directly written about him, but was written about a character based on Harvey Weinstein and Harry Winston, whom she envisioned as a "benevolent diamond bestowing upon starlets visual". She further commented that she now finds the song sad and uncomfortable, and will no longer be performing it live, aka "retiring" it..[6]

Cross-references

Official versions

  • Album version — 4:20
  • Clean version — 4:20
  • Instrumental version — 4:19

Lyrics

My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola
My eyes are wide like cherry pies
I gots a taste for men who're older
It's always been, so it's no surprise

Harvey's in the sky with diamonds and he's making me crazy
(I come alive, alive)
All he wants to do is party with his pretty baby

Come on, baby, let's ride
We can escape to the great sunshine
I know your wife, and she wouldn't mind
We made it out to the other side
We made it out to the other side
We made it out to the other side

(Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Come on, baby
Woah, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, yeah)

I fall asleep in an American flag
I wear my diamonds on Skid Row
I pledge allegiance to my dad
For teaching me everything he knows

Harvey's in the sky with diamonds and he's making me crazy
(I come alive, alive)
All he wants to do is party with his pretty baby

Come on, baby, let's ride
We can escape to the great sunshine
I know your wife, and she wouldn't mind
We made it out to the other side
We made it out to the other side
We made it out to the other side

Drugs, suck it up like vanilla icys
Don't treat me rough, treat me really niceys
Decorate my neck, diamantes ices
Why, come on, come on
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, yeah

Come on, baby, let's ride
We can escape to the great sunshine
I know your wife, and she wouldn't mind
We made it out to the other side

Come on, baby, let's ride
We can escape to the great sunshine
We made it out to the other side
We made it out to the other side

(Come on, come on
Come on, baby
Come on, come on
Come on, baby)

(Whoa-ah
My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola
Oh, ah
My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola
Oh
My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola
Oh, whoa, yeah)

Monologue

Similar to the style of the monologue used in the introduction of the "Ride" music video, a monologue speech was recorded to the introduction of the "Cola" instrumental and was later used in a promotional video used to accompany the April, 2013 edition of L'Officiel Paris, a French fashion magazine which features Del Rey as "Rosalita", Mexico's movie star queen. The monologue is a reading of Walt Whitman's poem "Song of Myself".

In addition to being used in the video for L'Officiel, it was also believed by fans that the monologue would be featured in a music video for "Cola", but no official video was ever announced or released.

Lyrics

With music strong I come,
With my cornets and my drums.
I play not marches for accepted victors only,
I play great marches for conquered and slain persons.
Have you heard that it was good the gain the day?
I also say it is good to fall,
Battles are lost in the same spirit in which they are won.
I beat and pound for the dead,
I blow through my embouchures my loudest and gayest for them.

Intro

At many of Del Rey's 2014 performances, an intro would be played before Del Rey performed "Cola". Since "Cola" was the first song to be played at most of her 2014 concerts, the piece served as an introduction to the concert and played before Del Rey walked on stage. It features a similar instrumental to "Cola" and different lyrics. Some fans refer to it as "Cruel World Intro" (not to be confused with "Cruel World").

Lyrics

Ooh
Ooh
Ooh

Let the light in

Let the light shine in
It's a cruel world

  • Note: these lyrics refer to the version that was played on June 28, 2014, at Glastonbury.

Credits

Personnel
  • Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
  • Rick Nowels — songwriting, production, keyboards, Juno bass, acoustic guitar, drums
  • DK — co-production
  • Kieron Menzies — recording, drum programming, mixing
  • Chris Garcia & Jordan Stilwell — additional recording
  • Patrick Warren — strings, glockenspiel, brass, organ, piano, synthesizer
  • Tim Pierce — slide guitar
  • Devrim Karaoglu — drums
  • John Davis — mastering
Technical
  • Published by EMI / R-Rated Music
  • Administered by EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP)
  • Recorded at The Green Building, Santa Monica, United States
  • Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[7] 71
Ireland (Irish Singles Chart)[8] 99
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[9] 120
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[10] 22

References