NFR Analysis- "The Greatest"

I also think you make a good point about nostalgia. Nostalgia is a very tricky feeling. When you look back on the past with such fondness, you often forget the problems that existed in the past. This is a big problem in the United States, especially regarding the idea of the American Dream. People often talk about how wonderful the 40s and 50s were for Americans who were able to buy homes and cars and live out the American Dream. However, this nostalgia tends to the ignore issues of racism, sexism and xenophobia, which were rampant during this time. This all, of course, ties nicely back to the album title- Norman Fucking Rockwell. While Norman Rockwell was most famous for his nostalgic artwork, he also made headlines for his work that tackled social issues.

English Teacher KP

So this is very interesting! I did do some Googling and saw that Dennis Wilson died by drowning. I love your interpretation about the bar being related to his alcoholism; that is not a connection I made, but it does make sense. I took that "last stop before Kokomo" line a little differently after reading up on Wilson's death. Apparently, even though Kokomo was a massive pop hit, a lot of og Beach Boy fans thought that it was a "sell out" song. They longed to the "good old days" of the band, back when it included Dennis Wilson. So again, there's that nostalgia where, like you said, everything looks better when you look back with rose-colored glasses.

English Teacher KP

I can totally see this. For me, it really highlights the disillusionment that the speaker is feeling....like everything around her is falling apart. Very powerful.

English Teacher KP

I don’t know much about The Beach Boys either and I don’t know how much you have now looked into how Dennis Wilson died, but I just did a quick Wikipedia read through. He had pretty severe addiction issues with alcohol, cocaine and heroin. So, I’m imagining that the bar being the “last stop”before Kokomo is alluding to his alcoholism leading him to his death He actually died of an accidental drowning in Marina del Rey (!!!) and there was a high level of alcohol in his blood. I guess Kokomo is supposed to be this fictional paradise, i.e. heaven. The name of the bar is Chez Jay. Interestingly enough, I never paid much attention to that line of the song but it’s interesting how it actually strikes me as super sad and tragic, but in this song, of course, it gets the rose-colored glasses treatment. Nostalgia is a powerful thing because now this bar serves as a cool connection to the past because all of the famous people that used to go there. And now that Lana is on the other side of it too, perhaps that’s why there is still a heavy twinge of sadness. Hm.

I Am Not Chamari

The last part of the song is very apocalyptic, she is listing facts that can symbolize the “end of things”, the nuclear attack, climate change, radical worldviews, extraterrestrial life… And this connects with this idea that she is losing something during the song.

Pedro Medeiros

Yes! I completely agree with you about the overall sad tone of the song. I've noticed that with several of her songs that, even when she describes something hopeful, there's still this overall sadness throughout the song. And you're right-- the nostalgia here is palpable!

English Teacher KP

Every part of this song screams nostalgia to me. She describes everything she misses, the people, the places and the relationships. She feels sad and is grieving, but I feel like the “I just need a wake-up call” line shows that she still has hope. It’s like her saying “guys, times are bad but I’ll be okay”. Still has a sad vibe to it tho, so I’m not sure.

Ibra

I just Googled that incident, and I think you are right! Thank you for watching!

English Teacher KP

I know! I've had such a fun time with this one!

English Teacher KP

I might be wrong but I think the Hawaii line is about when that nuclear hit announcement was accidentally sent out and the whole island was panicking for a good 10 minutes? Idk! But I absolutely love this song and your reaction to it

So sad that the album analysis is coming to the inevitable ending 🥺🥺

Kitana Khan

I really liked this one! Enjoy ❤️❤️❤️

English Teacher KP

The greatest is my second favorite Lana song ever. (my favorite one is also on this album and you haven’t reviewed it just yet!) can’t wait to see what you think/have to say!

I Am Not Chamari