Glittering Facades, Hollow Hearts | Art Deco | Lana Del Rey

"Art Deco," a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, is a beautifully crafted tune that combines jazzy undertones with haunting lyrics, brilliantly encapsulating an era and a lifestyle. Laden with symbolic metaphors and references to cultural phenomena, this track from her album "Honeymoon" offers far more than meets the eye.

At a first glance, "Art Deco" could simply be regarded as an homage to the art movement of the same name, given that the title itself conjures images of the stylishly sleek and geometrically intricate designs that defined the 1920s and 1930s. Nevertheless, while this era is undoubtedly part of Lana Del Rey's inspiration, the deeper meaning of the song goes much further. The references to 'Art Deco' in the song bear a symbolic connection to the rampant materialism and superficiality that characterized the Roaring Twenties.

The song's lyrics are peppered with allusions to wealth, beauty, and fame—"You're so Art Deco, out on the floor. Shining like gun metal, cold and unsure." Here, Del Rey paints a picture of a figure who captivates onlookers with an almost metallic, cold allure, a figure whose beauty — much like the art deco movement — is visually stunning yet somewhat detached.

A notable thematic element in "Art Deco" is the dichotomy between glamour and melancholy. Central to many of Del Rey's songs, especially those on her "Honeymoon" album, is a sense of disillusionment that contrasts strikingly with the glitzy façade of fame and fortune. This is evident in the lyrics, "You've been so messed up, it's clear to see. But when you're all dressed up, you're only playing for me." There is a sense of hollowness beneath the glittering surface, an obvious commentary on the frequently alluring yet ultimately empty nature of celebrity culture.

Furthermore, the song has also been speculated by some fans to be a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community. Lyrics like “Club queen on the downtown scene, prowling around at night,” is thought to be a reference to the drag queen culture. Additionally, Lana Del Rey has been an outspoken voice for LGBTQ+ equality, further supporting this fan theory.

“Art Deco” by Lana Del Rey is a stunning example of symbolic music. It manages to encompass the essence of an entire art movement and interpret its symbolic meaning in the modern age. By relating the visual art movement to popular culture and societal attitudes, Del Rey creates a beautifully melancholic song that leaves a lasting impression.