The popular singer and songwriter, Lana Del Rey, is responsible for creating the masterpiece that is “Young and Beautiful.” This song is featured in the 2013 film, “The Great Gatsby.” Many of her fans listen to this song because of the poetry and blissful feeling of the lyrics, but Gatsby lovers can dive into the true meaning of the song and who it represents.
Daisy Buchanan is a character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. She is a woman of the roaring 1920s who is known for her beauty and “old money” upbringing. However, her character is now one hundred years old. That is why Lana Del Rey wrote “Young and Beautiful” from the perspective of Daisy. The modern lyrics show us that rather than being the selfish and shallow girl we see in the novel; Daisy is actually just a woman who wants to find love but is afraid of being used.
Daisy’s character is defined by her beauty, wealth, and status, much like the idealized image of youth mentioned in the song. Throughout The Great Gatsby, Daisy is depicted as a woman who is aware of her own charm and power to captivate men, particularly Gatsby. The line “Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?” not only acknowledges Daisy’s fear of losing the adoration she once held but also highlights her fragile dependence on her external beauty. Her decision to marry Tom Buchanan instead of Gatsby can be seen as a response to the insecurity she feels when confronted with the limits of her own youth.
Additionally, Lana Del Rey’s voice in “Young and Beautiful” reflects Daisy’s emotional complexity. While she projects an image of sophistication and charm, beneath the surface, Daisy is deeply unsettled by the passage of time and the inevitable disappearance of her youth. This is most evident in her interactions with Gatsby, where she wrestles between longing for the past and an awareness of the consequences of rekindling their romance. The vulnerability and sadness in the song mirror Daisy’s internal struggle — a woman who is torn between her past innocence and the adult world she must navigate, defined by wealth, superficiality, and decay.
Citations:
“The Great Gatsby (2013).” Warner Home Video, 2013.
