Deborah Chan
Lana Del Rey's fourth studio album, Honeymoon, was released in 2015. The title track, Honeymoon, is a dreamy, surreal song about loving an elusive, mysterious man. The album is noted for its glossy production, with cinematic strings, twangy guitars, and miserable melodies. The final track on the album is a cover of Nina Simone's Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, which has also been covered by Elvis Costello and Santa Esmeralda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Lana Del Rey |
| Album | Honeymoon |
| Year of Release | 2015 |
| Genre | Psychedelic, Surreal, Cinematic |
| Cover Art | Photography by Neil Krug |
| Producers | Kieron Menzies, Lana Del Rey & Rick Nowels |
| Writers | Lana Del Rey & Rick Nowels |
| Sound Effects | Kieron Menzies & Patrick Warren |
| Engineers | Trevor Yasuda, Chris Garcia & Kieron Menzies |
| Record Label | Interscope Records, Lana Del Rey, Universal Music Germany, Vertigo/Capitol & Polydor Records |
| Cover Song | Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Nina Simone |
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What You'll Learn
Lana Del Rey's cover of the song
Lana Del Rey's cover of Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" was included in her fourth studio album, Honeymoon, as the final track. The song was released in 2015, and Del Rey's version has been described as "cool and kinda haunting", with organ riffs and operatic readings of classical '60s Hollywood melodrama'.
The song showcases Del Rey's multi-layered cooing, airy and ethereal vocals, which are characteristic of the album as a whole. Honeymoon has been described as having a noirish feel, with subtly layered vocals, melodies that lazily unwind, decaying synths, echoing guitar lines, strings, hazes and restrained drum patterns. The album has also been noted as containing sighs, whispers, and built over chopped-and-screwed samples.
The track "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" has been interpreted as a bitter realisation "that no one cares about understanding you anyway". This contrasts with Nina Simone's version, which has been described as "screaming in frustration for a goddamned break". Del Rey's version has also been described as vocally unimpressive in comparison to Simone's.
Honeymoon was released as a double LP on black vinyl, with an exclusive limited-edition double LP pressed on translucent red vinyl and featuring alternate cover art. The album was certified gold in the US and Australia, silver in the UK, and has sold over 500,000 units.
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The song's original writer, Nina Simone
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is a song written by Bennie Benjamin, Horace Ott, and Sol Marcus. It was first recorded by Nina Simone in 1964 for her album "Broadway-Blues-Ballads". The song was arranged around the harp and other orchestral elements, including a backing choir. Simone's version of the song is difficult to categorize and has been interpreted as carrying the subtext of the Civil Rights Movement, which was a common theme in Simone's work.
Horace Ott, one of the songwriters, began writing "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" after an argument with his wife, Gloria Caldwell. Due to rules prohibiting BMI writers (Ott) from officially collaborating with ASCAP members (Benjamin and Marcus), Ott listed Caldwell's name instead of his own in the songwriting credits.
Nina Simone was an American singer-songwriter and pianist known for her outspoken support of the Civil Rights Movement. Her music often reflected the themes of the time, blending a unique mix of orchestral elements and choir. Simone's version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" has been described as slow and violent, showcasing her powerful vocals and emotional delivery.
The song has since been covered by many artists, including The Animals, Santa Esmeralda, Elvis Costello, and Lana Del Rey, who included it as the final track on her album "Honeymoon." Simone's original version, however, remains a landmark recording, capturing the essence of her career and life.
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The song's place as the final track on the album
Lana Del Rey's cover of Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is the final track on her fourth studio album, Honeymoon. The song was written by Bennie Benjamin, Horace Ott, and Sol Marcus for Simone's 1964 album Broadway-Blues-Ballads. Simone's version is characterised by a slow tempo, orchestral elements, and a backing choir.
Del Rey's cover, produced by Del Rey, Nowels, and Kieron Menzies, showcases her operatic vocals and classical '60s Hollywood melodrama. It features organ riffs and is described as a "smooth, elegant theatrical song" with "tragic lyrics." The song received comparisons to James Bond theme songs due to its musical style and lyrics, which are sung from the perspective of a Bond girl.
The placement of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" as the final track on the Honeymoon album contributes to the overall narrative and theme of the record. The song's lyrics about bargaining and acceptance, reflected in the lines "Carry me home, don't wanna talk about the things to come/Just put your hands up in the air, the radio on" and "I'm on my own again," provide a sense of closure to the album.
The song's position as the album closer also allows Del Rey to showcase her interpretative skills and pay homage to one of her influences. By choosing a song with a history of iconic covers, Del Rey adds her own unique style to the song while also connecting her work to a broader musical lineage.
Overall, the placement of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" as the final track on the Honeymoon album highlights Del Rey's artistic choices, her ability to interpret classic songs, and her contribution to the ongoing legacy of this particular song.
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The song's lyrics
"Honeymoon" is the title track and second promotional single from Lana Del Rey's fourth studio album of the same name. The song was released on September 7, 2015, and its lyrics paint an auditory scene of loving an elusive, mysterious man. The dreamy string instrumentals and surreal echoes in the official audio further enhance this theme.
The song begins with an acknowledgment of the unconventional nature of their relationship, as the singer recognizes that "it's not fashionable to love me." Despite this, there is a sense of commitment and exclusivity in the lines "there's nobody for you but me" and "say you want me, too." The chorus, with its repeated phrase "our honeymoon," emphasizes the idea of a romantic escape or a period of bliss in their relationship.
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges the complexities of their partner's past, including a "history of violence," but expresses her fearlessness and willingness to embrace their connection: "I'm not scared/There's nothing to lose now that I've found you." This verse also introduces a sense of movement and freedom, with references to cruising down different boulevards in a "little bullet car."
The bridge provides a vivid description of the couple's contrasting characteristics. The man is surrounded by "guns that blaze" and "fire," suggesting a volatile nature, while the singer herself offers "violets" and "roses in between my thighs," symbolizing softness and passion. This section highlights the allure of their relationship, with the line "It's no wonder every man in town/Had neither fought nor found you" indicating the man's elusive nature and the singer's unique connection to him.
The song "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," which closes the album, is a cover of Nina Simone's classic. This song showcases Del Rey's operatic readings of classical '60s Hollywood melodrama and contains organ riffs. The lyrics of this song were not provided, but it is a well-known song with many covers, including by The Animals, Santa Esmeralda, and Elvis Costello.
Additionally, there is another song titled "Honeymoon" by Don Toliver. The lyrics provided for this song are sparse, but they include lines such as "I love you/But I can hate you at the same time/Wedding rings/We got 'em at the same time/I guess it's a honeymoon (What?)/I'm like 'Damn honey, you fine/You stay on the West end."
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Other covers of the song
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", originally by Nina Simone, has been covered by several artists over the years. The song talks about the fear of being misjudged based on a person's actions or behaviour. The Animals' blues-rock cover of the song, released in 1965, was one of the first transatlantic hits. The Animals' version is considered one of their most iconic songs, with a gritty sound and a prominent place in pop music history. Eric Burdon, the lead singer of The Animals, has continued to perform the song over the years, offering different arrangements and recordings.
In 1977, the disco group Santa Esmeralda released a four-on-the-floor rearrangement of the song, adding disco, flamenco, and other Latin rhythm and ornamentation elements. This 16-minute epic took up an entire side of their album, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", and became a worldwide hit.
British new wave musician Elvis Costello covered the song for his 1986 album, "King of America". Costello's version is described as heartfelt, reflecting his own experiences of being misunderstood.
Lana Del Rey's interpretation of the song on her 2015 album "Honeymoon" has a "smokily detached emotion". Her version has been described as a "burnt-out Pop Art take on Americana". While some fans appreciate the haunting instrumentation, others find her vocals unimpressive compared to Simone's distinctive voice.
Other notable covers of the song include a version by The Killers, which adds an upbeat rock flavour, and an eight-minute rendition by Eric Burdon himself.
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Frequently asked questions
'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' is a cover of Nina Simone's song, which closes Del Rey's Honeymoon album.
Honeymoon is characterised by layered vocals, swirling strings, and decaying synths. It is considered Del Rey's most sophisticated album, marking a departure from the "grungy" tones of her previous album, Ultraviolence.
Honeymoon was released on 18 September 2015.
