"In the Hills of Benedict Canyon" is a poem released by Lana Del Rey from her first poetry book Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass.
Background[]
The poem was not released digitally unlike most other poems by Del Rey.
Cross-references[]
- Benedict Canyon is a neighborhood in the west area of L.A.
- Heaven is also mentioned in "Say Yes to Heaven", "Television Heaven", "You & Me", "Match Made in Heaven" and the poem "Never to Heaven", among many other songs.
- A bar is also mentioned in "Hey Blue Baby", "Groupie Love" and "Video Games" among others.
- Television is also mentioned in "Television Heaven", "Trash Magic" and "TV in Black & White", among others.
- "Unchained melodies" might be a reference to the 1955 song "Unchained Melody" by Alex North & Hy Zaret, made popular by The Righteous Brothers version featured on the 1990 movie Ghost.
- A Starline Tour bus also appears on the cover of Del Rey's album "Honeymoon".
- "Murder plots" is a phrase also used in the poem "L.A. Who Am I to Love You".
- Bella Drive is a property in Beverly Hills, California.
- Sharon might be a nod to late actress Sharon Tate.
- Mullholland Drive is a highway in Santa Monica, California.
- Mullholland Drive could also be a direct reference to David Lynch's film by the same name.
- L.A. Dodgers are a baseball team. Del Rey has supported the team on numerous occasions.
Poem[]
Love has room to grow in the hills of Benedict Canyon
My green typewriter light is on
and two months' time between me and my last man
No double murder plots looming over neighbours' vacant lots
that i look upon at twilight, still light enough for the
Starline bus to be carrying on. I listen to the hippie
spouting nonsense at the foot of Bella Drive
hammering on about Sharon and the sanctity of life
I listen on intently
thanks for the free ride
and for reminding me that everything comes down to a story
and to laugh when you could cry.
But finally I have no reason for tears
not tonight at 7:27
first time in months i feel close to heaven
in the hills of Benedict Canyon
the background hum of the television
love has room to grow.
No more secrets no more reasons to put off what I already know
No more big projects
no new dev breaking ground on Sunset
no big builds lasting too long up on Mulholland
no joint ventures fracturing.
no unchained melodies enchanting the bars in my head.
No. Just no news, nothing going on at 7:27
not quite ready for dinner
Just the background hum of television
Me- standing out on the deck
wondering what phase of twilight the sky is in
and contemplating how the Dodgers are doing
and reaching for the phone
to call an old friend.