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Some of the most memorable summer pop songs of all time carry a sense of melancholy from Brian Hyland's 1960s classic "Sealed With a Kiss" to Bananarama's 1980s hit "Cruel Summer." Lana Del Rey joins those ranks with "Summertime Sadness." Enjoy it in either the lush, orchestral original version or the massive house remix from Cedric Gervais.
Pros
- Lyrics of both fire and melancholy
- Lana Del Rey's fragile vocals
- Cedric Gervais' house remix of the song
Cons
- Lacking in memorable depth
Description
- Written by Lana Del Rey and Rick Nowels
- Produced by Emile Haynie and Rick Nowels
- Released June 2012 by Interscope
Guide Review - Lana Del Rey - "Summertime Sadness"
"Kiss me hard before you go...summertime sadness." That is how Lana Del Rey's rumination on the heady mix of adrenaline and dread begins. By now the big orchestral production used throughout much of her debut album Born To Die has become familiar and its laconically lush feel is a Lana Del Rey signature. Lyrically, "Summertime Sadness" paints an image in which you can viscerally feel the late night summer excitement that will soon fade as the seasons change. There is also a tingling edge of danger to the words when Lana Del Rey sings, "I know if I go, I'll die happy tonight."
For those who would like to hear "Summertime Sadness" in a more upbeat setting, French house music DJ Cedric Gervais has released a remix of the song which is generating additional airplay and attention for the song.
Lana Del Rey's song works well in the dance setting. The remix boosts the electric feel mentioned in the song while keeping the air of fragility in the vocals. The "Summertime Sadness" remix is a perfect anchor for summer 2013 party soundtracks.
Lana Del Rey first appeared in a blaze of controversy over a perceived lack of authenticity in her music. However, as her work becomes more familiar to pop music fans, the respect for her work has grown as well. The presentation of Lana Del Rey as a musical persona is an ongoing work of art designed to provoke as well as charm. "Summertime Sadness" is an excellent introduction for those who are not yet familiar with the music of Lana Del Rey.