“Old Money” can hardly be called one of the best tracks of the album “Ultraviolence” by American singer Lana Del Rey. This song was not released as a single and did not get into active rotation on radio and music TV channels, without which the birth of a hit is currently extremely difficult. To many music lovers, it immediately seemed suspiciously familiar, although not everyone managed to remember what the composition reminds them of.
In fact, an article about the history of “Old Money” should begin with a story about the melody “What Is a Youth”, which was composed by the famous Nino Rota. It is better known as the love theme from the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet. This ballad became an inspiration for Del Rey:
“Old Money” is probably one of the more idyllic tracks on the record. It’s partly based on fantasy shots where I’m on the corner of Hollywood and Vine, as if I’m transmitting something. It’s actually one of my oldest tracks on the record because it’s a song that’s been in the works for about five years. At first it was called “Methamphetamines”. And the funny thing is, I had to talk to the publishing company, because I didn’t know I was referencing the tune from the original music from Romeo and Juliet, which comes from, I think, the sixties. And she was so familiar that, you know, half of the edition belongs to them now as well. But I was clearly conveying something truly… nostalgic. For me it is also one of my favorite tracks.
Audio commentary by Lana Del Rey
Officially, the song “Methamphetamines” was never released, although in 2012, due to the singer’s negligence, she got on the Internet. As a result, after some processing of the music and words of the track, which was not destined to wait for the release, the composition “Old Money” was born. The co-authors of the ballad, in addition to Lana, are Dan Heath and Robbie Fitzsimmons.
The lyrics of the song are memories of the days spent together with a former lover. For many, individual phrases and the general mood of the composition suggest the sensational film The Great Gatsby. Moreover, it has been repeatedly suggested that “Old Money” was intended for this picture, but this version has not been confirmed by any of the authors or producers.
The name can be understood in different ways. This expression, which literally translates as “old money”, means inherited a large fortune, hereditary rich and obsolete banknotes.
The composition became the tenth track of the album “Old Money”. It was not released as a single and did not enter the largest charts.
Interesting Facts
- The opening lines mention blue, white, and red, which some listeners see as a nod to the American flag.
- The words “young and beautiful” refer to Lana Del Rey’s song of the same name.
- Blue hydrangeas are also mentioned in her compositions “Elvis” and “Axl Rose Husband”.
- “Queen of New York” Lana also refers to herself in other songs: “Us Against the World” and “Party Girl”.
Old Money lyrics by Lana Del Rey
blue hydrangea cold cash divine
Cashmere, cologne and white sunshine.
Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine,
The kids were young and pretty. Blue hydrangea, cash, divine
Cashmere, cologne and white sunshine
Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine
The boys were young and good-looking Where did you go?
Those summer nights seem long ago
And so is the girl you used to call,
The Queen of New York City. Where have you been? Where did you go?
Seems like those summer nights were so long ago
Like the girl you called
Queen of New York But if you send for me you know I’ll come,
And if you call for me you know I’ll run.
I’ll run to you, I’ll run to you, I’ll run, run, run.
I’ll come to you, I’ll come to you, I’ll come, come, come
And if you call me, know that I will come running
I’ll run to you, I’ll run to you, I’ll run, I’ll run, I’ll run
I will come to you, I will come to you, I will come, I will come, I will come The power of youth is on my mind,
Sunsets, small town, I’m out of time.
Will you still love me when I shine,
From words but not from beauty? I think about the power of youth
Sunsets, small town, I’m out of time
Will you still love me when I shine
Words but not beauty? My father’s love was always strong,
My mother’s glamor lives on and on
Yet still inside I felt alone
For reasons unknown to me. My father’s love was always strong
My mother’s charm hasn’t gone away
But still in my heart I was alone
For a reason I don’t understand But if you send for me you know I’ll come,
And if you call for me you know I’ll run.
I’ll run to you, I’ll run to you, I’ll run, run, run.
I’ll come to you, I’ll come to you, I’ll come, come, come
And if you call me, know that I will come running
I’ll run to you, I’ll run to you, I’ll run, I’ll run, I’ll run
I’ll come to you, I’ll come to you, I’ll come, I’ll come, I’ll come And if you call I’ll run, run, run,
If you change your mind I’ll come, come, come
If you change your mind I’ll come, come, come Blue hydrangea, cold cash, divine,
Cashmere, cologne and hot sunshine.
Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine,
And we were young and pretty. Blue hydrangea, cash, divine
Cashmere, cologne and white sunshine
Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine
And we were young and good-looking
