Continuing my track-by-track appreciation of Lana Del Rey’s newest album, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd…
Track 4: ‘A&W’
Four and a half songs into the album, people looking for a musical change of pace will find it in the bracing second part of this fascinating track.
First, Del Rey delivers a brilliant, brooding song driven by acoustic guitar, piano and her aching falsetto. Special praise must be paid to producer Jack Antonoff, who plays all the instruments here.
Lyrically, Del Rey explores her body image and sex life, topics that have been given undue attention in our internet culture. In the most gripping verse, she seems to reveal that she was the victim of sexual assault: “If I told you that I was raped do you really think that anybody would think I didn’t ask for it?”
Halfway through, ‘A&W’ segues into a mesmerizing whirlpool of trap beats and synths as Del Rey raps about a past relationship (I guess?). The lyrics here are more part of the soundscape than an extension of the earlier narrative, but she does drop in a nice dig that’s ripe for the ‘gram: “Your mom called, I told her you’re fucking up big time.”
[Verse 1]
I haven’t done a cartwheel since I was nine
I haven’t seen my mother in a long, long time
I mean, look at me
Look at the length of my hair, and my face, the shape of my body
Do you really think I give a damn
What I do after years of just hearing them talking?
[Pre-Chorus]
I say I live in Rosemead, really, I’m at the Ramada
It doesn’t really matter, doesn’t really, really matter
[Chorus]
Call him up, “Come into my bedroom”
Ended up, we fuck on the hotel floor
It’s not about havin’ someone to love me anymorе
This is the experiеnce of bein’ an American whore
[Verse 2]
Called up one drunk, called up another
Forensic Files wasn’t on
Watching Teenage Diary of a Girl
Wondering what went wrong
I’m a princess, I’m divisive
Ask me why, why, why I’m like this
Maybe I’m just kinda like this
I don’t know, maybe I’m just like this
[Pre-Chorus]
I say I live in Rosemead, really, I’m at the Ramada
It doesn’t really matter, doesn’t really, really matter
[Chorus]
Call him up, he comes over again
Yeah, I know I’m over my head but, oh
It’s not about havin’ someone to love me anymore
No, this is the experience of bein’ an American whore
[Verse 3]
I mean look at my hair
Look at the length of it and the shape of my body
If I told you that I was raped
Do you really think that anybody would think
I didn’t ask for it? I didn’t ask for it
I won’t testify, I already fucked up my story
On top of this (Mm), so many other things you can’t believe
Did you know a singer can still be
Looking like a sidepiece at thirty-three?
God’s a charlatan, don’t look back, babe
Puts the shower on while he calls me
Slips out the back door to talk to me
I’m invisible, look how you hold me
I’m invisible, I’m invisible
I’m a ghost now, look how you hold me now
[Chorus]
It’s not about havin’ someone to love me anymore (Oh, okay)
No, this is the experience of bein’ an American whore
It’s not about havin’ someone to love me anymore
No, this is the experience of bein’ an American whore
[Part II]
[Intro]
This is the experience of bein’ an American whore
This is the experience of bein’ an American whore
This is the experience of bein’ an American whore
Woo
[Chorus]
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, get me high (Oh my god)
Love me if you love or not, you can be my light
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Your mom called, I told her, you’re fuckin’ up big time
[Post-Chorus]
Your mom called, I told her, you’re fuckin’ up big time
[Chorus]
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, get me high
Love me if you live and love, you can be my light (Mm)
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Your mom called, I told her, you’re fuckin’ up big time
[Verse]
Jimmy, you should switch it up, baby, light it up (Yeah)
Jimmy, if you leave the house, find me in the club (Like)
Jimmy, if you switch it up, you should light it up
Jimmy, if you leave the house, find me in the club (Like, surf’s up)
Your mom called, I told her, you’re fuckin’ up big time
But I don’t care, baby, I already lost my mind
Jimmy, if I lie it up, find me in the club (Mind, mind)
Your mom called, I told her, you’re fucking up big time
[Chorus]
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, get me high
Love me if you love or not, you can be my light
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Your mom called, I told her, you’re fuckin’ up big time
Meet Me In Montauk 
Ooh, I like this one! Appreciate the change up! Are we to assume the title is supposed to be American & Whore?
Yeah, I think the initials are for American Whore but she’s also referencing the root beer brand. She has previous songs titled ‘Diet Mountain Dew’ and ‘Cola’ so my guess is she’s nodding to that.
I do enjoy this track as well – although it is one that I believe would benefit from little bit of trimming down.
Still – some great lines and a fun beat here.