Lana Del Rey and John Denver.Photo:Steve Granitz/FilmMagic, Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic, Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Lana Del Reymakes a reference to aJohn Denversong on the opening track of her most recent album, and now she’s covering one of his most iconic releases.
On Friday, the alternative star, 38, released a one-off single covering the folk music legend’s 1971 classic “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
The songstress’ dreamy vocals lend beautifully to the Americana favorite off Denver’s fourth studio album,Poems, Prayers & Promises. Singing in a deep lull, the track starts out reflective and haunting as the “A&W” artist sings of longing for simplicity. Then, as a choir of voices join in toward the end, it turns into a cathartic finish — like the dream of returning home down country roads isn’t far out of reach.
Lana Del Rey; John Denver.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic, Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
It’s a fitting cover for the star, who has filled her discography with references to loving overlooked parts of Americana — from the midwest on 2021’sChemtrails Over the Country Clubto places like Alabama on her most recent record — and often sings of yearning for a simple, sweet kind of domesticity.
The singer-songwriter (whose real name is Elizabeth Grant) released the song along with cover art featuring a personal, black-and-white shot of herself, her sisterCaroline “Chuck” Grantand her niece Phoenix resting their heads on top of one another while sitting on a boat with a Phoenix motor.
Phoenix Grant, Caroline “Chuck” Grant and Lana Del Rey on the cover of “Take Me Home, Country Roads”.Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” arrives several months after the hitmaker sang about the “Leaving on a Jet Plane” artist on “The Grants.” On the opening track to 2023’sDid you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd, she reflects on wanting to hold onto her family’s memories and croons, “I’m gonna take mine of you with me / Like Rocky Mountain High / The way John Denver sings.”
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The alt-pop artist is currently up for fourGrammy nominations— the most times she’s ever been on the ballot. Her acclaimed albumDid you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvdis nominated for both album of the year and best alternative music album, while its sprawling track “A&W” received nods for song of the year and best alternative music performance.
The “Candy Necklace” singer also appears on two other album of the year nominees:Taylor Swift’sMidnightsandJon Batiste’sWorld Music Radio.
Earlier this year, afterheadlining several festivals, the performerset out on a mini tourthat mainly consisted of stops in mid-sized cities along the South and the East coast. As she wrapped up her final dates, sherevealed on stage that she donates“every dollar” made in ticket sales “back into" the cities she plays in.
source: people.com
