"LA Who Am I to Love You" is a poem by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her first poetry collection, Violet Bent Backwards over the Grass (2020). The poem was recorded by Del Rey for her spoken word album of the same name with musical accompaniment by Jack Antonoff. The song was released onto digital outlets on July 27, 2020, the day before the album's release, making it the only track from the album available digitally.[1]

Background

Announced in 2018, Del Rey teased her poetry collection several times before announcing its August release in May 2020.[2] Upon the announcement, the publisher, Simon & Schuster, issued a publicity release that announced several new poems, including "LA Who Am I to Love You".[3] A day prior to the release of the record, Del Rey released the song version as a promotional tease.[4][5]

Like the rest of the album, the song was written by Del Rey and produced by Antonoff.[6] Proceeds from the album are intended to benefit Native American-focused charities and organizations.[7]

Synopsis

Told from first person, the poem follows the narrator on a nostalgic, emotional recollection of her life. Humanizing the city of Los Angeles as a person, Del Rey pleads to "LA" if she can be someone of significance to them. The poem's main themes include remorse, guilt, fame, turbulent childhood, and deception.[8][9]

The song references cities Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York.

References

  1. ^ Bruce, Jasper (July 28, 2020). "Listen to Lana Del Rey's new spoken word poetry album 'Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass'". NME.
  2. ^ Shaffer, Claire (July 9, 2020). "Lana Del Rey Reveals Poetry Book and Spoken Word Album Release Dates". Rolling Stone.
  3. ^ Perez, Lexy (July 9, 2020). "Lana Del Rey to Release Book of Poetry". The Hollywood Reporter.
  4. ^ "Lana Del Rey Releases New Spoken Word Poetry Album Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass". www.msn.com.
  5. ^ "Lana Del Rey to Release Book of Poetry". www.msn.com.
  6. ^ D'souza, Shaad (July 8, 2020). "Lana Del Rey's "eclectic and honest" new album is out this month". The FADER.
  7. ^ Bloom, Madison (9 July 2020). "Lana Del Rey Reveals New Poetry Book and Spoken Word Album Release Dates". Pitchfork.
  8. ^ "Lana Del Rey shares first poem from spoken word collection, 'LA Who Am I To Love You?' - Music news". Newslocker. July 28, 2021.
  9. ^ Graves, Shahlin (July 28, 2020). "Listen: Lana Del Rey reads aloud her poem 'LA Who Am I To Love You?'". Coup De Main Magazine.
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