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 15: ‘Peppers’
On an album obsessed with death and memory, Del Rey waited until track 15 to just kick back and have some fun. That’s the best explanation for this oddball song, which borrows its Angelina Jolie-referencing chorus from Canadian “underground rap queen” Tommy Genesis.
‘Peppers’ finds Del Rey throwing caution to the wind, dancing naked in front of an open window and kissing her COVID-infected boyfriend while listening to fellow Californians The Red Hot Chili Peppers. It’s as if the soul searching and heart baring of the previous 14 songs shed her of all that emotional baggage and led her to this surf rap oasis.
Because I’m a fan who can’t get enough melancholy, ‘Peppers’ is my least favorite track on the album. I don’t dislike it, but it doesn’t move me the way everything else on this grand record does. I enjoy the verses but a little of the Tommy Genesis sample goes a long way, and we get more than a little of it here.
(You alright?)
[Chorus: Tommy Genesis, Both]
Hands on your knees, I’m Angelina Jolie
Hands on your knees, Angelina Jolie
Let me put my hands on your knees, you can braid my hair
Do a fat criss-cross in the back somewhere, ha
[Verse 1: Lana Del Rey]
Me and my boyfriend listen to the Chili Peppers
We write hit songs without tryin’ like
All the time, all the time
I take off all my clothes, dance naked for the neighbors
I’m like, “Fuck it, gonna give a show,” I open up the blinds
[Pre-Chorus: Lana Del Rey]
I threw caution to the wind, get onto the bike
Take a minute to yourself, skinny-dip in my mind
I’m in love, I’m in love
Got a knife in my jacket, honey on the vine
Baby, I’ll bring the coffee if you bring the wine
I’m in love, I’m in love (‘Cause I’m in love)
[Chorus: Tommy Genesis, Lana Del Rey, Both]
Hands on your knees, I’m Angelina Jolie
Hands on your knees, Angelina Jolie
Let me put my hands on your knees, you can braid my hair
Do a fat criss-cross in the back somewhere, ha
Hands on your knees, I’m Angelina Jolie
Hands on your knees, Angelina Jolie
Let me put my hands on your knees, you can braid my hair
Do a fat criss-cross in the back somewhere, ha
[Verse 2: Lana Del Rey]
I sit, upskirt, I don’t have much to lose
I got a truck, I take it for a midnight, a midnight drive, yeah
My boyfriend tested positive for COVID, it don’t matter
We’ve been kissing, so whatever he has, I have, I can’t cry
[Pre-Chorus: Lana Del Rey]
I threw caution to the wind, get onto the bike
Take a minute for myself, skinny-dip in my mind
I’m in love, I’m in love (I’m in love)
[Chorus: Tommy Genesis]
Hands on your knees, I’m Angelina Jolie
Hands on your knees, Angelina Jolie
Let me put my hands on your knees, you can braid my hair
Do a fat criss-cross in the back somewhere, ha
[Spoken Bridge]
I don’t know, maybe we should do something like, like merge this song
You know that song, “Wipeout”? Yeah, dance type of song
[Chorus: Tommy Genesis, Both]
Hands on your knees, I’m Angelina Jolie
Hands on your knees, Angelina Jolie
Let me put my hands on your knees, you can braid my hair
Do a fat criss-cross in the back somewhere, ha
Hands on your knees, I’m Angelina Jolie
Hands on your knees, Angelina Jolie
Let me put my hands on your knees, you can braid my hair
Do a fat criss-cross in the back somewhere, ha
Hands on your knees, I’m Angelina Jolie
Hands on your knees, Angelina Jolie
Let me put my hands on your knees, you can braid my hair
Do a fat criss-cross in the back somewhere, ha
Hands on your knees, I’m Angelina Jolie
Hands on your knees, Angelina Jolie
Let me put my hands on your knees, you can braid my hair
Do a fat criss-cross in the back somewhere, ha
Meet Me In Montauk 
As I stare out the window this morning at our two flooded cars, green pool, yard underwater and water damage inside the house, a respite from relentless melancholy could not be more welcome.
Yeah, you pretty much said it all. This track is funny and it’s nice to see Lana take herself a little less seriously. However, I can only hear about hands on knees for so long!