Changes: The Next Best American Record (song)

Revision as of 23:39, 6 January 2020

Lana Del Rey

Writer(s)

Lana Del Rey
Rick Nowels

Producer(s)

Rick Nowels
Kieron Menzies
Dean Reid

Alternate producer(s)

Mighty Mike

Recorded

2016-2019

Length

5:49
(See official versions)

From

Single(s)

"Mariners Apartment Complex"
"Venice Bitch"
"Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman like Me to Have – but I Have It"
"Doin' Time"
"The Greatest" / "Fuck It I Love You"

*Norman Fucking Rockwell* track listing
"California"	"The Greatest"

"The Next Best American Record" (also known as "Best American Record" and "Architecture") is a song by Lana Del Rey from her album Norman Fucking Rockwell!. It was first recorded sometime between early 2016 and November 26, 2016. On February 27, 2017, a demo of the song leaked. The track is an outtake from Lust for Life and presumably did not make the final tracklist due to its premature release. The song was re-recorded for Norman Fucking Rockwell!.

Background

The demo leaked under "Best American Record" and the title "Architecture" was revealed through copyright infringement claims that certain fans received after uploading the song to platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud. Although, it is unregistered on any music publishing sites. The title was confirmed to be "The Next Best American Record" when the tracklist for Norman Fucking Rockwell! was revealed.

In an interview with Beats 1 Radio on July 12, 2017, Del Rey was asked about the song, under the title "Architecture", and she described it as the "yin to the yang" to "Yosemite", another outtake from Lust for Life. She said it was like the "brother and sister" track, comparing it to "Groupie Love" and "Summer Bummer".

On July 26, 2017 at her Amoeba Hollywood show, Del Rey responded to a fan question asking if she would ever release any of her leaked or unreleased songs. She referred to the song as "The Next Best American Record" and expressed her desire to potentially release the song along with "Yosemite" as folk singles because they would not "start the new record". She went on to add that she has thought about releasing a record of her 25 favorite "leaked songs", but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea.

Music video

After the release of the music video for "White Mustang" on September 13, 2017, many fans came to the conclusion that the footage from the video was originally intended for a "The Next Best American Record" music video. This theory is supported by the fact that many of the visuals and themes used in the "White Mustang" music video seem to be strongly connected to the lyrics of "The Next Best American Record".^[1] Throughout the music video, no lyrics are lipped by Del Rey and unsubtle random transitions including slowed down footage are featured, alluding that the original "The Next Best American Record" video was re-edited to accommodate the lyrics and run time of "White Mustang". Del Rey even posted a video that was taken behind the scenes of "White Mustang" where she can be heard singing lyrics of "The Next Best American Record", which further supports the theory. Del Rey has also mentioned that "White Mustang" was one of the last songs she wrote for the album, and since the first behind the scenes clip of the "White Mustang" video were posted during February 2017, this heavily implies that the video was shot before writing "White Mustang". For now, this is all fan speculation and has not been confirmed by Del Rey or her team.

Live performances

Del Rey performed "The Next Best American Record" live for the first time during her show at Sioux Falls, North Dakota on November 6, 2019. She only sang a part of it a cappella, as part of the Norman Fucking Rockwell Tour.

Cross-references

Del Rey mentions Bill, who is a prominent figure in her past works such as "Trash Magic", "Driving in Cars with Boys" and "Super Movie".
Fame is a prominent theme in "Noir".
Del Rey uses the lyric from the demo "you know what I'm talking about" in "Because of You".
Cigarettes are mentioned in "You Can Be the Boss", "1949" and "Girl That Got Away", among many other songs.
Del Rey similarly calls her lover cool in "Brooklyn Baby", "Lust for Life", "Ridin'", "Push Me Down", "Heavy Hitter" and alludes to it in "National Anthem".
"Houses of the Holy" references rock band Led Zeppelin's album of the same name.
The melody of the verses is similar to that of "Hangin' Around".
"Topanga's hot tonight" is a phrase first used in "Heroin".

Official versions

Album version — 5:49
Demo version — 6:05

Lyrics

Album version

My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
To the Houses of the Holy
Smokin' on them cigarettes
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
He was cool as heck
He was cool as heck

And we were so obsessed
With writing the next best American record
That we give all we had, to the time we got to bed
'Cause we knew we could
We were so obsessed
With writing the next best American record
'Cause we were just that good
It was just that good

Whatever's on tonight
I just wanna party with you
Topanga's hot tonight
I'm taking off my bathing suit
You make me feel like
There's something that I never knew I wanted

My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
He was '70s in spirit
'90s in his frame of mind
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
We lost track of space
We lost track of time

And we were so obsessed
With writing the next best American record
That we give all we had, to the time we got to bed
'Cause we knew we could
We were so obsessed
With writing the next best American record
'Cause we were just that good
It was just that good

Whatever's on tonight
I just wanna party with you
Topanga's hot tonight
I'm taking off my bathing suit
You make me feel like
There's something that I never knew I wanted
We play the Eagles down in Malibu and I want it

It's you, all the roads lead to you
Everything I want and do
All the things that I say
It's true, all the roads lead to you
Like the 405 I drive through
Every night and every day

I see you for who you really are
Why the thousands of girls love
The way Bill plays guitar

Whatever's on tonight
I just wanna party with you
Topanga's hot tonight
I'm taking off my bathing suit
You make me feel alive
There's something that I never knew, I wanted
We play the Eagles down in Malibu and I want it
There's something that I never knew, I wanted

Demo version

My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
He was seventies in spirit, nineties in his frame of mind
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
We lost track of space
We lost track of time

But you were so obsessed
With writing the next best American record
But there was nothing left by the time we got to bed
Baby, that's a shame
You were so obsessed
With writing the next best American record
You did it all for fame
You did it all for fame

You did it all for fame
Tell me how it treats you now
You did it all for fame
How does that taste coming out?
You did it all for fame
Tell me how it treats you now
That it's over
Baby, how's life treating you now?
That I told you

It's you
All the roads lead to you
Everything I want and do
All the things that I say
It's true
All the roads lead to you
Like the 405 I drive through
Every night and every day

I see you for who you really are
Why the thousands of girls love
The way Bill plays guitar

You did it all for fame
Tell me how it treats you now
You did it all for fame
How does that taste coming out?
You did it all for fame
Tell me how it treats you now
That it's over
Baby, how's life treating you now?
That I told you

(Honey, how's it feeling? Honey, how's it feeling? Ah)
(Honey, how's it feeling? Honey, how's it feeling? Ah)
I told you

Credits

Personnel

Lana Del Rey — songwriting, vocals
Rick Nowels — songwriting, production, acoustic guitar, piano
Kieron Menzies — production, engineering, mixing, programming, drums, sound effects
Dean Reid — production, engineering, mixing, programming, keyboards, electric guitar, sound effects
Mighty Mike — additional production, programming, drums
Trevor Yasuda — engineering
David Levita — electric guitar
Zac Rae — keyboards
John Christopher Fee — assistant engineering
Chris Rockwell — assistant engineering
Chris Gehringer — mastering

Technical

Published by R-Rated Music (GMR) administered by Universal Music Works
Mastered at Sterling Sound

References

↑ Miller, Jordan (September 13, 2017). "Lana Del Rey's 'White Mustang' Video Soundtracked to 'Best American Record' Makes Way More Sense". BreatheHeavy.com.

Songs | Tour | Music videos | Photoshoots | Producers

"Norman Fucking Rockwell"
"Mariners Apartment Complex"
"Venice Bitch"
"Fuck It I Love You"
"Doin' Time"

"Love Song"
"Cinnamon Girl"
"How to Disappear"
"California"
"The Next Best American Record"

"The Greatest"
"Bartender"
"Happiness Is a Butterfly"
"Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman like Me to Have – but I Have It"

[1] Miller, Jordan (September 13, 2017). "Lana Del Rey's 'White Mustang' Video Soundtracked to 'Best American Record' Makes Way More Sense". BreatheHeavy.com.

[1]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 |image = File:NormanFuckingRockwell.jpg
 |artist = Lana Del Rey
-|written = [[Lana Del Rey]]
+|written = [[Lana Del Rey]]<br>[[Rick Nowels]]
-|producer = [[Rick Nowels]]
+|producer = Rick Nowels<br>[[Kieron Menzies]]<br>[[Dean Reid]]
-|recorded = 2016
+|recorded = 2016-2019
-|time = 6:05 <small>(Demo)</small>
+|time = 5:49<br><small>(See [[#Official versions|official versions]])</small>
-|Source = [[File:TBA3.png|150px|link=Norman Fucking Rockwell (album)]]
+|Source = [[File:Nfrlogo.png|link=Norman Fucking Rockwell (album)]]
-|album = Norman Fucking Rockwell
 |Singles= {{6S}}
+|next = "[[The Greatest (song)|The Greatest]]"
-}}"'''The Next Best American Record'''" (also known as "'''Best American Record'''" and "'''Architecture'''") is song by [[Lana Del Rey]] from her album [[Norman Fucking Rockwell (album)]]. It was recorded sometime between early 2016 and November 26, 2016. On February 27, 2017, a demo of the song leaked. The track is an outtake from ''[[Lust for Life (album)|Lust for Life]]'' and presumably did not make the final tracklist due to its premature release. The song was re-recorded for [[Norman Fucking Rockwell]] with [[Jack Antonoff]].
+|previous = "[[California (song)|California]]"
+|album = [[Norman Fucking Rockwell (album)|Norman Fucking Rockwell]]
+|MiX = {{Singles7}}
+|altproducer = Mighty Mike}}"'''The Next Best American Record'''" (also known as "'''Best American Record'''" and "'''Architecture'''") is a song by [[Lana Del Rey]] from her album [[Norman Fucking Rockwell! (album)|''Norman Fucking Rockwell!'']]. It was first recorded sometime between early 2016 and November 26, 2016. On February 27, 2017, a demo of the song leaked. The track is an outtake from ''[[Lust for Life (album)|Lust for Life]]'' and presumably did not make the final tracklist due to its premature release. The song was re-recorded for ''Norman Fucking Rockwell!''.
 == Background ==
-The demo leaked under "Best American Record" and the title "Architecture" was confirmed by copyright infringement claims that certain fans received after uploading the song to platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud. Although, it is unregistered on any music publishing sites. The song title was confirmed to be changed to "The Next Best American Record" when the tracklist for Norman Fucking Rockwell was revealed.
+The demo leaked under "Best American Record" and the title "Architecture" was revealed through copyright infringement claims that certain fans received after uploading the song to platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud. Although, it is unregistered on any music publishing sites. The title was confirmed to be "The Next Best American Record" when the tracklist for Norman Fucking Rockwell! was revealed.
 In an interview with Beats 1 Radio on [[2017/July#July 12|July 12, 2017]], Del Rey was asked about the song, under the title "Architecture", and she described it as the "yin to the yang" to "[[Yosemite (song)|Yosemite]]", another outtake from [[Lust for Life (album)|''Lust for Life'']]. She said it was like the "brother and sister" track, comparing it to "[[Groupie Love (song)|Groupie Love]]" and "[[Summer Bummer (song)|Summer Bummer]]".
@@ Line 19: / Line 22: @@
 ==Music video==
-After the release of the music video for "[[White Mustang (song)|White Mustang]]" on September 13, 2017, many fans came to the conclusion that the footage from the video was originally intended for an "Architecture" music video. This theory is supported by the fact that many of the visuals and themes used in the "White Mustang" music video seem to be strongly connected to the lyrics of "Architecture".<ref>[http://www.breatheheavy.com/lana-del-reys-best-american-record-soundtracked-to-the-white-mustang-video-makes-way-more-sense/ Miller, Jordan (September 13, 2017). "Lana Del Rey's 'White Mustang' Video Soundtracked to 'Best American Record' Makes Way More Sense". ''BreatheHeavy.com''.]</ref> Throughout the music video, no lyrics are lipped by Del Rey and unsubtle random transitions including slowed down footage are featured, alluding that the original "Architecture" video was re-edited to accommodate the lyrics and run time of "White Mustang". Del Rey even posted a video that was taken behind the scenes of "White Mustang" where she can be heard singing lyrics of "Architecture", which further supports the theory. Del Rey has also mentioned that "White Mustang" was one of the last songs she wrote for the album, and since the first behind the scenes clip of the "White Mustang" video were posted during February 2017, this heavily implies that the video was shot before writing "White Mustang". For now, this is all fan speculation and has not been confirmed by Del Rey or her team.
+After the release of the music video for "[[White Mustang (song)|White Mustang]]" on September 13, 2017, many fans came to the conclusion that the footage from the video was originally intended for a "The Next Best American Record" music video. This theory is supported by the fact that many of the visuals and themes used in the "White Mustang" music video seem to be strongly connected to the lyrics of "The Next Best American Record".<ref>[http://www.breatheheavy.com/lana-del-reys-best-american-record-soundtracked-to-the-white-mustang-video-makes-way-more-sense/ Miller, Jordan (September 13, 2017). "Lana Del Rey's 'White Mustang' Video Soundtracked to 'Best American Record' Makes Way More Sense". ''BreatheHeavy.com''.]</ref> Throughout the music video, no lyrics are lipped by Del Rey and unsubtle random transitions including slowed down footage are featured, alluding that the original "The Next Best American Record" video was re-edited to accommodate the lyrics and run time of "White Mustang". Del Rey even posted a video that was taken behind the scenes of "White Mustang" where she can be heard singing lyrics of "The Next Best American Record", which further supports the theory. Del Rey has also mentioned that "White Mustang" was one of the last songs she wrote for the album, and since the first behind the scenes clip of the "White Mustang" video were posted during February 2017, this heavily implies that the video was shot before writing "White Mustang". For now, this is all fan speculation and has not been confirmed by Del Rey or her team.
+== Live performances ==
+Del Rey performed "The Next Best American Record" live for the first time during her show at Sioux Falls, North Dakota on November 6, 2019. She only sang a part of it a cappella, as part of the [[Norman Fucking Rockwell Tour]].
 == Cross-references ==
 * Del Rey mentions [[Bill]], who is a prominent figure in her past works such as "[[Trash Magic (song)|Trash Magic]]", "[[Driving in Cars with Boys (song)|Driving in Cars with Boys]]" and "[[Super Movie (song)|Super Movie]]".
 * Fame is a prominent theme in "[[Noir (song)|Noir]]".
-* Del Rey uses the lyric "you know what I'm talking about" in "[[Because of You (song)|Because of You]]".
+* Del Rey uses the lyric from the demo "you know what I'm talking about" in "[[Because of You (song)|Because of You]]".
-* Cigarettes are mentioned in "[[You Can Be the Boss (song)|You Can Be the Boss]]", "[[1949 (song)|1949]]" and "[[Girl That Got Away (song)|Girl That Got Away]], among many other songs.
+* Cigarettes are mentioned in "[[You Can Be the Boss (song)|You Can Be the Boss]]", "[[1949 (song)|1949]]" and "[[Girl That Got Away (song)|Girl That Got Away]]", among many other songs.
 * Del Rey similarly calls her lover cool in "[[Brooklyn Baby (song)|Brooklyn Baby]]", "[[Lust for Life (song)|Lust for Life]]", "[[Ridin' (song)|Ridin']]", "[[Push Me Down (song)|Push Me Down]]", "[[Heavy Hitter (song)|Heavy Hitter]]" and alludes to it in "[[National Anthem (song)|National Anthem]]".
 * "Houses of the Holy" references rock band Led Zeppelin's album of the same name.
-* The melody of the verses is similar to that of “[[Hangin' Around (song)|Hangin' Around]]”.
+* The melody of the verses is similar to that of "[[Hangin' Around (song)|Hangin' Around]]".
+* "Topanga's hot tonight" is a phrase first used in "[[Heroin (song)|Heroin]]".
+== Official versions ==
+* Album version — 5:49
+* Demo version — 6:05
 == Lyrics ==
+===Album version===
-{{Scroll box|content =
+{{Scroll box | content = <poem>
-<poem>
 My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
 To the Houses of the Holy
-Smoking on them cigarettes
+Smokin' on them cigarettes
 My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
 He was cool as heck
 He was cool as heck
-But you were so obsessed with writing the next best American record
+And we were so obsessed
+With writing the next best American record
-But there was nothing left by the time we got to bed
+That we give all we had, to the time we got to bed
-Baby, that's a shame
+'Cause we knew we could
-You were so obsessed with writing the next best American record
+We were so obsessed
-You did it all for fame
+With writing the next best American record
-You did it all for fame
+'Cause we were just that good
+It was just that good
+Whatever's on tonight
-You did it all for fame
-Tell me how it treats you now
+I just wanna party with you
+Topanga's hot tonight
-You did it all for fame
+I'm taking off my bathing suit
-How does that taste coming out?
-You did it all for fame
+You make me feel like
+There's something that I never knew I wanted
-Baby, how's life treating you now?
-It's over
 My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
-He was 70s in spirit, 90s in his frame of mind
+He was '70s in spirit
+'90s in his frame of mind
 My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
 We lost track of space
 We lost track of time
-But you were so obsessed with writing the next best American record
+And we were so obsessed
+With writing the next best American record
+That we give all we had, to the time we got to bed
+'Cause we knew we could
+We were so obsessed
+With writing the next best American record
+'Cause we were just that good
+It was just that good
+Whatever's on tonight
+I just wanna party with you
+Topanga's hot tonight
+I'm taking off my bathing suit
+You make me feel like
+There's something that I never knew I wanted
+We play the Eagles down in Malibu and I want it
+It's you, all the roads lead to you
+Everything I want and do
+All the things that I say
+It's true, all the roads lead to you
+Like the 405 I drive through
+Every night and every day
+I see you for who you really are
+Why the thousands of girls love
+The way Bill plays guitar
+Whatever's on tonight
+I just wanna party with you
+Topanga's hot tonight
+I'm taking off my bathing suit
+You make me feel alive
+There's something that I never knew, I wanted
+We play the Eagles down in Malibu and I want it
+There's something that I never knew, I wanted
+</poem>}}
+===Demo version===
+{{Scroll box|content =
+<poem>
+My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
+He was seventies in spirit, nineties in his frame of mind
+My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
+We lost track of space
+We lost track of time
+But you were so obsessed
+With writing the next best American record
 But there was nothing left by the time we got to bed
 Baby, that's a shame
-You were so obsessed with writing the next best American record
+You were so obsessed
+With writing the next best American record
 You did it all for fame
 You did it all for fame
-(You know what I'm talking about)
 You did it all for fame
-Tell me how life treats you now
+Tell me how it treats you now
 You did it all for fame
 How does that taste coming out?
+You did it all for fame
-Now that you lost the game
-Honey, how's life treating you now
+Tell me how it treats you now
-That it's over?
+That it's over
-Baby, how you feeling now
+Baby, how's life treating you now?
-That I told you?
+That I told you
 It's you
@@ Line 86: / Line 147: @@
 All the roads lead to you
 Like the 405 I drive through
-Every night and everyday
+Every night and every day
 I see you for who you really are
-Why the thousands of girls
+Why the thousands of girls love
-Love the way Bill plays guitar
+The way Bill plays guitar
 You did it all for fame
-Tell me how life treats you now
+Tell me how it treats you now
 You did it all for fame
 How does that taste coming out?
 You did it all for fame
-Honey, how you feeling now
+Tell me how it treats you now
-That it's over?
+That it's over
-Baby, how's life treating you now
+Baby, how's life treating you now?
-That I told you?
+That I told you
-Honey, how is it feeling now?
+(Honey, how's it feeling? Honey, how's it feeling? Ah)
-(Honey, how's it feeling?)
+(Honey, how's it feeling? Honey, how's it feeling? Ah)
-(Honey, how's it feeling?)
-I told you
-(Honey, how's it feeling?)
-(Honey, how's it feeling?)
 I told you
 </poem>
 }}
+==Credits==
+;'''Personnel'''
+* Lana Del Rey — songwriting, vocals
+* Rick Nowels — songwriting, production, acoustic guitar, piano
+* Kieron Menzies — production, engineering, mixing, programming, drums, sound effects
+* Dean Reid — production, engineering, mixing, programming, keyboards, electric guitar, sound effects
+* Mighty Mike — additional production, programming, drums
+* Trevor Yasuda — engineering
+* David Levita — electric guitar
+* Zac Rae — keyboards
+* John Christopher Fee — assistant engineering
+* Chris Rockwell — assistant engineering
+* Chris Gehringer — mastering
+;'''Technical'''
+* Published by R-Rated Music (GMR) administered by Universal Music Works
+* Mastered at Sterling Sound
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
+{{Navbox album NFR}}
-[[Category:Unreleased songs]]
 [[Category:Songs]]
+[[Category:Released songs]]
 [[Category:Outtakes]]
 [[Category:Lust for Life outtakes]]