Secret Chords that Please the Lord - Episode 1 Lana Del Rey - Video Games, Chord Inversions

A wee look into the incredible “Video Games” by Lana Del Rey, highlighting some of the harmonic and lyrical things that make it tick so well.

This is the first episode of
“Secret Chords that Please the Lord”.
Hopefully these little studies will provide some learning opportunities for songwriters seeking to progress in harmony, melody and lyrics. Hopefully the series will be entertaining to innocent bystanders also. Please subscribe and share the video if you enjoyed it.

You can tip Alan using Paypal @yestheraven or you can hit the 'Thanks' button under the video.

[danmervak]

To me, the pizzicato in the strings represented the beeps and boops of the video game. I loved this effect!

[CheckDare]

I reckon this is what Rick Beato would refer to as “high information” music. One of his recent bits included the observation that one of the sorriest things about much of the current popular music is its disappointing lack of interesting melody, chord changes, and orchestration, as compared to previous popular music from Bach to the Beatles and a bit further - or what he called high-information music.
Thanks for bringing this song and this performer to my attention, Alan. She really is extraordinary.

[ImpliedMusic]

thanks alan. few things are more satisfying for me than this type of attention and analysis. i've been following your channel for a bit. your playing and musical intelligence is inspirational. this breakdown is so generous, and model for going deeper into any song. i'm a huge fan.

[gregorymeeder]

Dude! You're so grounded. You understand too deeply. Thanks for this and for articulating your thoughts so clearly. You helped me synthesize this song into my musical lexicon.

[etiennedegaulle]

"Meaninglessly well" - That's the perfect description for so many things.

[maryroberts]

I’m not a musician, so this explanation really enhances my understanding. I love Lana Del Rey. To me, in each album, she is presenting a different character. As you said, it is about the song, not the voice or building her brand. I think she chooses to sing as a kind of every woman, rather than polishing her vocal technique.

[sergiom]

I'm a fan of Lana Del Rey as well, her voice is very expressive and sultry and she uses alot of atypical chord progressions. I really appreciate this detailed breakdown of the song structure, I hope you do more of these types of videos.

[leftymagoo]

Just 1 more comment if you please Sir.
Watching/ listening to Lana’s performance of Video Game on SNL just one month before Letterman. Two very different performances of the same tune (IMHO) Nervous, tense and on edge for SNL, Lana used a backup band ( for ?). Compared to solo piano accompanied by chamber orchestra. What a beautiful adjustment! The sadness/ disappointment of the lyrics comes across so much more with the simple beauty of a vocal melody, soft percussion on the piano , echos on the pizacatto notes and finally the mellow dramatic drone of the cello. I absolutely love this arrangement. Thank you Alan for bringing up this song. Looking forward to Part2.

[jonashamre]

I had to go back and listen to the Letterman performance. Absolutely beautiful. And very interesting chord progressions indeed, thanks for bringing this song back into attention Alan!

[auralfixxation]

I agree that silence adds something to songs.

[AllegoryofPatrick]

Thank you for sharing. Glad to be clued into her song and see the harmony at work. Transposing to no sharps and flats was really helpful

[bigswift]

Very much enjoyed Episode 1. Looking forward to seeing where this series goes! Thanks for putting this out.

[ryanharbert]

She got ridiculed for that performance. I remember clicking on some link titles “awful letterman performance” or something along those lines. Watched the video and was blown away by the song. Yeah her singing isn’t the best, but neither is Dylan’s or Cohen’s. But you could still hear, and feel, that this song was a masterpiece.

[andrewspencer]

Is very similar that the Adele compositions. The simplicity become in complexity, because you are the whole band. The silence is fundamental part of this song, because you create in your mind imaginary chords, harmony, and why not, more melody. Great song, voice, and your explanation. Thanks Alan.

[fredvanvactor]

In regards to silence and tension, this tune reminds me (in a way) of Erik Satie. I was listening to a pianist on the classical radio station today. His tempo interpretation was a bit slower than I was used to, and I realized just how much that added to the tension of it. (Especially with that eerie harmony). It was very subtle and very effective. Brilliant actually. Gnossienne #1. Also, I appreciate your channel very much! 👍

[BenBigelow]

I don't recall the song... but hearing you break it down gave me chills and then went and listened and was moved to tears by the feel of the song. I like the Jools Holland version a lot, too, btw. Thx for your channel brother!

[huttone]

Thanks Alan for the introduction to this song, reminds me of your writing. Powerful stuff!

[eltieum]

Love your video, the song is haunting me for days now cause of you 😅. BTW, what caught me as well is the C/G that "melts" to a Cmaj7/G on the "do" from "everything I DO". Seems to me the pianist plays a G as a passing chord between A- and Fmaj7 during the chorus on "bad girls", G6/9 with open B end E strings on guitar is doing the job for me.

[rdctd]

Lana is wonderful, such beautiful aural aesthetic and motion to her music. Video Games is a special pop song. Love this kind of video, cheers as always buachaill!

[mrbxv]

This is Lana Del Rey’s best song, to me. I’m glad you’re going deep on explaining it musically. Lyrics are great and musically makes sense why it works so well.