"Oh Say Can You See" (originally spelled "O Say Can U See") is a song written by Lana Del Rey and produced by David Kahne. The song was released in 2010 on Del Rey's debut studio album, Lana Del Ray.
Background[]
The song was recorded on January 14, 2007, at Studio 356, where Del Rey also recorded various takes of "Let My Hair Down", "Disco", "For K, Pt. 2", "Get Drunk", and "Raise Me Up (Mississippi South)". These are known as the Studio 356 Sessions. There was 1 take of "Oh Say Can You See".
The final version was mastered on February 25, 2008, between 6 and 7 PM, along with the rest of Lana Del Ray tracks (except for "Gramma (Blue Ribbon Sparkler Trailer Heaven)" and "Raise Me Up (Mississippi South)").
Cross-references[]
- The song is named using lyrics from the Star Spangled Banner, as "National Anthem" is.
- Nirvana is mentioned in "Prom Song (Gone Wrong)" and "Television Heaven".
- A bar is also mentioned in "Video Games", "Groupie Love", "The Greatest" and "For K, Pt. 2".
Official versions[]
- Album version — 3:40
- Studio 356 Session (Take 1) — 4:37
Lyrics[]
Album version[]
Oh, say, can you see my stars?
The nighttime is almost ours
To wander through alleys and look at the bars
Nighttime is almost ours
The headlights from passing cars
They illuminate my face then leave me the dark
The voice of Nirvana says, "come as you are"
And I will
The nighttime is almost ours
The sway of the hips and arms
Will cradle you from afar
They swing 'til you're tired and send you to Mars
Nighttime is almost ours
Take one[]
Oh, say, can you see my stars?
The nighttime is almost ours
To play in the alleys and look at the bars
The nighttime is almost ours, ours
The headlights from passing cars
Illuminate my face then fade into dark
The voice of Nirvana says, "come as you are"
And I will
The nighttime is almost ours, ours
The sway of the hips and arms
Will hypnotize from afar
They swing 'til you're tired and send you to Mars
The nighttime is almost ours, ours
 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||