The Meaning Behind The Song: Cola by Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey’s music style is unique and memorable, with her songs containing hidden meanings that can stir your emotions. One of her songs that have captured the attention of many is “Cola.” Released in 2012, “Cola” has been described as a sultry and seductive song with references to powerful men and their sexual preferences. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind the song “Cola” by Lana Del Rey.
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What Is The Inspiration Behind The Song: Cola?
“Cola” found its origins as a song about Harvey Weinstein, a former Hollywood producer who has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct by several women. In the song, Del Rey sings about the “Harvey’s in the sky with diamonds and his hands are up in the sky,” referencing Weinstein’s connection to the film industry.
However, the song may have also been inspired by Del Rey’s relationship with Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N’ Roses. In an interview with Complex, Del Rey said that she wrote the song after a conversation she had with Rose, where he told her that her voice sounded like “cola.” Del Rey stated, “So when I went back to the studio that day, I was like, okay, that’s kind of a cool concept.”
What Is The Song Trying To Say?
“Cola” is a song about power dynamics between men and women. The lyrics describe a woman who is seducing a powerful man and using her sexuality to gain influence over him. Del Rey sings, “I got sweet taste for men who’re older / it’s always been so, it’s no surprise.”
This line suggests that the woman’s preference for older men is not a new thing and that she has used her sexual prowess to get what she wants from them. Additionally, Del Rey sings, “My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola,” which is a reference to the woman’s sexual appeal and how it can be used to manipulate powerful men.
What Is The Significance Of Harvey Weinstein’s Name In The Song?
The inclusion of Harvey Weinstein’s name in “Cola” is significant because it ties the song to the #MeToo movement, which is focused on exposing and ending sexual harassment and assault. Del Rey has stated that the song’s lyrics were not meant to glorify Weinstein but to highlight the power dynamic that exists between men in powerful positions and the women who work with them.
In an interview with Pitchfork, Del Rey said, “I thought it was funny at the time, and I obviously find it really sad now.” She went on to say that she had no intention of “making light of Harvey’s victims” and that the line about him was “just a little lyrical joyride.”
What Do Other People Think About The Song?
“Cola” has been a controversial song from the moment it was released. Some people have praised Del Rey for her boldness and honesty, while others have criticized the song’s portrayal of women as sexual objects.
In a review for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis wrote, “The references to sex and power on ‘Cola’ seem intended to be subversive, but end up deriving their power from old-fashioned cliches…For all its supposed daring, it comes across as something of a letdown.”
However, other critics have praised Del Rey for her ability to capture the complexities of relationships and power dynamics. In a review for Rolling Stone, Jody Rosen wrote, “Lana Del Rey sings with the rueful vulnerability of a great Country singer, and the sophisticated melancholy of a torch singer…Her songs are rugged and beautiful, like stones in rough sea.”
What Is The Connection Between The Song And Axl Rose?
While the connection between “Cola” and Harvey Weinstein is clear, the song’s connection to Axl Rose is less so. In the same Complex interview, Del Rey said that she wrote the song after Rose told her that her voice sounded like “cola.” However, the song’s lyrics do not seem to have any direct connection to Rose.
One possible explanation is that Del Rey was inspired by Rose’s reputation as a wild and reckless rock star. The lyrics of “Cola” are full of references to sex, drugs, and rock and roll, which would fit with Rose’s image as a rocker who lived on the edge.
Is “Cola” Lana Del Rey’s Most Controversial Song?
“Cola” is certainly one of Lana Del Rey’s most controversial songs, but it is not her only one. Many of Del Rey’s songs deal with themes of love, sex, and power, and she has been criticized for her portrayal of women as passive and submissive.
One of Del Rey’s other controversial songs is “Ultraviolence,” which has been described as a glorification of domestic violence. In the song, Del Rey sings, “He hit me, and it felt like a kiss.” While Del Rey has stated that the song is not about domestic violence but about a complicated relationship, it has still been criticized for its disturbing lyrics.
What Is The Reaction Of Fans To The Song “Cola”?
The reaction of Lana Del Rey fans to the song “Cola” has been mixed. Some fans have praised the song for its boldness and honesty, while others have criticized it for its portrayal of women as sexual objects.
In a review for Entertainment Weekly, Melissa Maerz wrote, “The lyrics are so cringe-worthy that they make me question everything I thought I knew about Lana Del Rey…She seems to want to be provocative for the sake of being provocative, even if it means playing into tired sexist cliches.”
However, other fans have praised the song for its honesty and its portrayal of the power dynamics between men and women. In a review for NME, Lucy Jones wrote, “‘Cola’ is an amazing song, a spike-heeled stomper that’s provocative without being trashy, blunt without being crass.”
Is “Cola” Intended To Be A Serious Song?
Like many of Lana Del Rey’s songs, “Cola” has a serious underlying message, but it has also been described as playful and tongue-in-cheek. In an interview with MTV, Del Rey said that she wrote the song as “kind of a joke” and that she didn’t expect it to become so popular.
However, the song’s message about the power dynamics between men and women is not something to be taken lightly, and the inclusion of Harvey Weinstein’s name shows that the song has a serious purpose.
What Is The Significance Of “My Pussy Tastes Like Pepsi-Cola”?
The line “My pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola” has been one of the most controversial and talked-about parts of the song “Cola.” Some people have criticized the line for its vulgar and graphic nature, while others see it as a powerful symbol of the woman’s sexual power.
In an interview with MTV, Del Rey said that the line was meant to be playful and that she didn’t expect it to cause so much controversy. She also stated, “It’s poetic and it’s fun. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be taken as such.”
What Is The Connection Between The Song “Cola” And The #MeToo Movement?
The connection between “Cola” and the #MeToo movement is clear, as the song references Harvey Weinstein, a powerful Hollywood producer who was accused of sexual harassment and assault by multiple women.
Del Rey has stated that the song’s lyrics were not meant to glorify Weinstein but to highlight the power dynamic that exists between men in powerful positions and the women who work with them. In an interview with Pitchfork, Del Rey said, “I don’t support a man who hurts women, even if he does great things in his art.”
What Do Critics Think About “Cola” And Its Message?
The critical response to “Cola” has been mixed, with some critics praising the song’s honesty and others criticizing it for its portrayal of women as passive and sexualized.
In a review for NME, Lucy Jones wrote, “Del Rey’s new song’s context is clear, and it’s a brave, intelligent and deeply emotional piece of art.” However, in a review for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis wrote that the song “feels like an attempt to court controversy by appealing to the stereotypes of female sexuality rather than challenging them.”
What Is Lana Del Rey’s Intention In Writing The Song “Cola”?
Lana Del Rey’s intention in writing the song “Cola” was to explore the power dynamics between men and women and to draw attention to the issue of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry.
In an interview with MTV, Del Rey said that the song was meant to be a fun and playful take on the subject, but that she also wanted to highlight the serious issues that surround it. She stated, “I’m not going to lie – I kind of just wanted to write something that we could dance to, but I also wanted to have something to say.”
How Has The Song “Cola” Been Received By The Public?
The public reaction to the song “Cola” has been mixed, with some people praising Del Rey’s boldness and others criticizing the song’s portrayal of women as sexual objects.
One possible reason for the mixed reaction is the controversial subject matter of the song. The inclusion of Harvey Weinstein’s name has drawn attention to the issue of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry, which is a sensitive and complicated topic.
What Is The Message Behind The Song “Cola”?
The message behind the song “Cola” is that women should not be forced to use their sexual appeal as a means of gaining power. Del Rey’s lyrics suggest that the woman in the song is using her sexuality to manipulate a powerful man, but that this is not something that she wants to do.
In an interview with MTV, Del Rey said that the song was meant to be a playful take on the subject of sexual harassment and assault, but that she also wanted to highlight the serious issues that surround it. She stated, “I think it’s important that women don’t need to act like that, to be that way, to have influence.”
What Is The Legacy Of The Song “Cola”?
The legacy of the song “Cola” is that it has become a symbol of the #MeToo movement and the fight against sexual harassment and assault.
While the song was written before the #MeToo movement gained momentum, its inclusion of Harvey Weinstein’s name and its depiction of power dynamics between men and women have made it a powerful statement on the issue. The song’s message is that women should not be forced to use their sexuality to gain power and that men in powerful positions should be held accountable for their actions.