The sultry femme fatale of western lore is personified by the ever effervescent Lana Del Rey. For those not familiar with this female literary prototype, the femme fatale refers to the beautiful, smart, charming, and achingly sensuous female who seduces, traps, and breaks hearts wherever she goes. The shadowy dame of black noir.
When I first came across Lana's Summertime Sadness, my neurons perked up at hearing the rhythmic silky voice. There was something laid back, languorous like a pair of Betty Davis eyes at sunset. It's a melancholic song that is somehow perfect for summer, and its video enhances the nostalgic quality of the piece. Mysterious and seductive. I've fallen under Lana's vampy spell.
Summertime Sadness by Lana del Rey
In 1960s America, a feminist revolution took place as a confluence of historical events, and the enthusiastic consumption by younger generations of mind-altering chemicals, which put them in touch with the female principle as a living breathing cosmic force and not just the ranting of angry women. This revolution in consciousness towards female rights propagated throughout the rest of the western world as women demanded basic rights that were only afforded to men of that era. A lot has changed since those times in North America, and though some attitudes remained in pockets here and there, the revolution was victorious. Women's rights expanded and their voices grew louder. As an example from pop culture, take the following song by Lana Del Rey. It would have been near impossible for a woman in the 60s to perform a song like High by the Beach with its profanity, violence, and drug consumption references. Not to say anything of her diaphanous flowing gown. This song would have been censored for being lewd, vulgar, obscene, and a contributor to the delinquency of minors. Nowadays, however, we celebrate her ragged independent persona, artistic boldness, and feisty sultriness. She's the femme fatale who just wants to turn on the senses, stimulated, and not be bothered with problems brought on by "bad motherfuckers." Some say that much works still remains in women's rights, while others believe that the cause has been hijacked by crazy radicals. In either case, I think that Lana has the right idea.
High by the Beach by Lana del Rey