Lana Del Rey Wiki
Lana Del Rey Wiki
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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 <small>(Demo)</small>
+
|producer = Rick Nowels<br>[[Kieron Menzies]]<br>[[Dean Reid]]
|recorded = 2016
+
|recorded = 2016-2019
 
|time = 5:49<br><small>(See [[#Official versions|official versions]])</small>
 
|time = 5:49<br><small>(See [[#Official versions|official versions]])</small>
|Source = [[File:Nfrlogo.png|85px|link=Norman Fucking Rockwell (album)]]
+
|Source = [[File:Nfrlogo.png|link=Norman Fucking Rockwell (album)]]
 
|Singles= {{6S}}
 
|Singles= {{6S}}
 
|next = "[[The Greatest (song)|The Greatest]]"
 
|next = "[[The Greatest (song)|The Greatest]]"
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|album = [[Norman Fucking Rockwell (album)|Norman Fucking Rockwell]]
 
|album = [[Norman Fucking Rockwell (album)|Norman Fucking Rockwell]]
 
|MiX = {{Singles7}}
 
|MiX = {{Singles7}}
}}"'''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)|''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'' with [[Jack Antonoff]].
+
|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, an early version of the song leaked. The song is an outtake from ''[[Lust for Life (album)|Lust for Life]]'' and presumably did not make the final tracklist due to it surfacing prematurely. A reworked version of the song later appeared on ''Norman Fucking Rockwell!'' as the tenth track on the album.
   
 
== Background ==
 
== 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.
+
An early version of the song leaked under the title "Best American Record," and the title "Architecture" was suggested by copyright infringement claims that certain fans received after uploading the song to platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud, though this alternate title is unregistered on any music publishing sites.
   
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]]".
+
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 described the relationship between the songs as "brother and sister" tracks, comparing the relationship to that of"[[Groupie Love (song)|Groupie Love]]" and "[[Summer Bummer (song)|Summer Bummer]]."
   
On [[2017/July#July 26|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.
+
On [[2017/July#July 26|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" as 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. The song's title was confirmed to be "The Next Best American Record" when Del Rey revealed the tracklist for ''Norman Fucking Rockwell!'' on July 31, 2019.
   
 
==Music video==
 
==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 lyrics found in the original version 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 transitions, such as slowed down footage, are featured, possibly suggesting 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," further supporting this theory. Del Rey has also mentioned that "White Mustang" was one of the last songs written for ''Lust for Life'', 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 "White Mustang" was written. 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 ==
 
== 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]]".
+
* Del Rey mentions [[Bill]], 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]]".
+
* Fame is a prominent theme in "[[God Knows I Tried (song)|God Knows I Tried]]" & "[[Noir (song)|Noir]]."
* Del Rey uses the lyric "you know what I'm talking about" in "[[Because of You (song)|Because of You]]".
+
* The lyric "you know what I'm talking about" also appears 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]]".
+
* 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.
+
* ''Houses of the Holy'' is the title of a Led Zeppelin album
* 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 ==
 
== Official versions ==
 
* Album version — 5:49
 
* Album version — 5:49
* Demo version — 6:05
+
* Early version — 6:05
   
 
== Lyrics ==
 
== Lyrics ==
  +
===Album version===
  +
{{Scroll box | content = <poem>
  +
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
  +
To the Houses of the Holy, smoking 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 gave all we had 'til 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 made me feel like
  +
There's something that I never knew I wanted
  +
  +
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
  +
  +
And we were so obsessed with writing
  +
The next best American record
 
That we gave all we had 'til 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 made me feel like
  +
There's something that I never knew I wanted
  +
We played 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 made me feel like
  +
There's something that I never knew I wanted
  +
We played Eagles down in Malibu
  +
And I want it
  +
That something that I never knew I wanted
  +
</poem>}}
  +
  +
===Early version===
 
{{Scroll box|content =
 
{{Scroll box|content =
 
<poem>
 
<poem>
 
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
 
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
To the Houses of the Holy
+
To the Houses of the Holy, smoking on them cigarettes
Smoking on them cigarettes
 
 
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
 
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
He was cool as heck
+
He was cool as heck, he was cool as heck
He was cool as heck
 
   
But you were so obsessed with writing the next best American record
+
But you were so obsessed with writing
  +
The next best American record
But there was nothing left by the time we got to bed
 
  +
That there was nothing left by the time we got to bed
 
Baby, that's a shame
 
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 did it all for fame
 
You did it all for fame
Line 59: Line 130:
 
How does that taste coming out?
 
How does that taste coming out?
 
You did it all for fame
 
You did it all for fame
Baby, how's life treating you now?
+
Baby, how's life treating you now it's over?
It's over
 
   
 
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
 
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
He was 70s in spirit, 90s in his frame of mind
+
He was seventies in spirit, nineties in his frame of mind
 
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
 
My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
We lost track of space
+
We lost track of space, we lost track of time
We lost track of time
 
   
But you were so obsessed with writing the next best American record
+
But you were so obsessed with writing
  +
The next best American record
But there was nothing left by the time we got to bed
 
  +
That there was nothing left by the time we got to bed
 
Baby, that's a shame
 
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 did it all for fame
 
You did it all for fame
(You know what I'm talking about)
+
You know what I'm talking about
   
 
You did it all for fame
 
You did it all for fame
Line 81: Line 152:
 
How does that taste coming out?
 
How does that taste coming out?
 
Now that you lost the game
 
Now that you lost the game
Honey, how's life treating you now
+
Honey, how's life treating you now that it's over?
 
Baby, how you feeling now that I told ya?
That it's over?
 
Baby, how you feeling now
 
That I told you?
 
   
It's you
+
It's you, all the roads lead to you
All the roads lead to you
 
 
Everything I want and do
 
Everything I want and do
 
All the things that I say
 
All the things that I say
It's true
+
It's true, all the roads lead to you
All the roads lead to you
 
 
Like the 405 I drive through
 
Like the 405 I drive through
Every night and everyday
+
Every night and every day
 
I see you for who you really are
 
I see you for who you really are
Why the thousands of girls
+
Why the thousands of girls love the way Bill plays guitar
Love the way Bill plays guitar
 
   
 
You did it all for fame
 
You did it all for fame
Line 103: Line 169:
 
How does that taste coming out?
 
How does that taste coming out?
 
You did it all for fame
 
You did it all for fame
Honey, how you feeling now
+
Honey, how's life feeling now that it's over?
  +
Baby, how's life treating you now that I told ya?
That it's over?
 
Baby, how's life treating you now
+
Honey, how's it feeling now that I told you?
That I told you?
+
Honey, how's it feeling? I told you
 
Honey, how is it feeling now?
 
(Honey, how's it feeling?)
 
(Honey, how's it feeling?)
 
I told you
 
(Honey, how's it feeling?)
 
(Honey, how's it feeling?)
 
I told you
 
 
</poem>
 
</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==
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
  +
{{Navbox album NFR}}
 
[[Category:Songs]]
 
[[Category:Songs]]
  +
[[Category:Released songs]]
 
[[Category:Outtakes]]
 
[[Category:Outtakes]]
 
[[Category:Lust for Life outtakes]]
 
[[Category:Lust for Life outtakes]]

Revision as of 09:19, 15 May 2020

"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, an early version of the song leaked. The song is an outtake from Lust for Life and presumably did not make the final tracklist due to it surfacing prematurely. A reworked version of the song later appeared on Norman Fucking Rockwell! as the tenth track on the album.

Background

An early version of the song leaked under the title "Best American Record," and the title "Architecture" was suggested by copyright infringement claims that certain fans received after uploading the song to platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud, though this alternate title is unregistered on any music publishing sites.

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 described the relationship between the songs as "brother and sister" tracks, comparing the relationship to that of"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" as 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. The song's title was confirmed to be "The Next Best American Record" when Del Rey revealed the tracklist for Norman Fucking Rockwell! on July 31, 2019.

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 lyrics found in the original version of "The Next Best American Record."[1] Throughout the music video, no lyrics are lipped by Del Rey and unsubtle transitions, such as slowed down footage, are featured, possibly suggesting 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," further supporting this theory. Del Rey has also mentioned that "White Mustang" was one of the last songs written for Lust for Life, 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 "White Mustang" was written. 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

Official versions

  • Album version — 5:49
  • Early version — 6:05

Lyrics

Album version

My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
To the Houses of the Holy, smoking 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 gave all we had 'til 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 made me feel like
There's something that I never knew I wanted

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

And we were so obsessed with writing
The next best American record
That we gave all we had 'til 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 made me feel like
There's something that I never knew I wanted
We played 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 made me feel like
There's something that I never knew I wanted
We played Eagles down in Malibu
And I want it
That something that I never knew I wanted

Early version

My baby used to dance underneath my architecture
To the Houses of the Holy, smoking 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
That 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
Baby, how's life treating you now it's over?

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
That 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 know what I'm talking about

You did it all for fame
Tell me how life treats you now
You did it all for fame
How does that taste coming out?
Now that you lost the game
Honey, how's life treating you now that it's over?
Baby, how you feeling now that I told ya?

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