Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
'Ultraviolence' by Lana Del Rey
'Ultraviolence' by Lana Del Rey

Learn English with this 'Ultraviolence' English lesson

Date: Nov 07 2014

Themes: Celebrity, Music, Pop Culture

Grammar: Articles, Quantifiers, and Determiners

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Since her first big hit, “Video Games,” Lana Del Rey’s popularity has grown worldwide. She has performed in many countries, on well-known TV shows, and for celebrities like Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. In addition to her music, Del Rey made her own short film in 2013. Her talents are varied, and she’s probably just getting started.

The album “Ultraviolence” is well-liked by other musicians and music lovers. Magazine critics believe that Del Rey is growing as a songwriter, and her fans seem to agree. The album was #1 on the US charts its first week, and sold 182,000 copies. Today more than 1,000,000 copies have been sold. Lana Del Rey is a true success story.

What do Lily and Gary think of “Ultraviolence?” You can find out when you read this English lesson about a famous musician.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Lily

Lily

Gary

Gary

Lily:  I have a song stuck in my head, Gary.

Gary:  Which one?

Lily:  You know Lana Del Rey?

Gary:  Yeah, yeah, yeah. “Summertime Sadness,” “Video Games.”

Lily:  I just listened to her new album, “Ultraviolence.”

Gary:  Oh, yeah.

Lily:  And the title song on that album is… it’s not catchy, per se, but it just gets stuck in your head.

Gary:  The one that goes [singing]?

Lily:  Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s sort of drone-y, and it puts you in a trance for four minutes.

Gary:  Have you seen the video?

Lily:  Oh my god, yeah. Nothing happens.

Gary:  No, but she’s dressed in what seems like wedding attire.

Lily:  Yeah.

Gary:  And she’s carrying around all these roses in what looks like a maze of trees or something.

Lily:  It’s pretty. I like the song. I think the video leaves me cold a little bit, though.

Gary:  I didn’t feel like much was happening, personally.

Lily:  Yeah. She flirted with the camera, and then walked off into the distance.

Gary:  There was no story told, at least.

Lily:  Exactly.

Gary:  Right.

Lily:  You expect that from a video.

Gary:  Maybe in the next one?

Lily:  Oh, well. At least we can just listen to the song now.

Gary:  Now it’s stuck in my head.

Lily:  Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

 

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Articles, Quantifiers, and Determiners" from this lesson Go Super!

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz Go Super!

 

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3 Go Super!

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

There’s a song that Lily can’t stop hearing or singing. It’s “Ultraviolence” from the new album by Lana Del Rey. Gary knows the song, but what he really wants to talk about is the video!

Both Gary and Lily feel like the music video doesn’t tell a story, which is what they expect from a video. They agree that it’s nice to look at, and that Lana Del Rey’s clothing is an interesting choice, but they both wish that something more had happened. Gary remembers a few details, but it doesn’t seem like the video is memorable enough for either he or Lily to choose to see it again.

What do you think of the video for “Ultraviolence?” Would you have filmed it differently? How?

 

Comments

Log in to Comment

willy1908

willy1908

Peru

The day before yesterday I listened the Emily Browning’s version of “Sweet dreams”, and it got stuck in my head. I highly recommend this version!

12:54 AM Nov 15 2014 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

BillieJean2, yeah exactly! :-) You nailed it. The video of Lana reminds “Corpse Bride” ,indeed. 


Tim Burton’s work deserves attention,  I like everything he creates. 

06:57 AM Nov 08 2014 |

1 person likes this

BillieJean2

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

it reminds me one of Tim burton’s movie


does any one know which one!!!!


yes its corps bride


 


 

06:29 AM Nov 08 2014 |

willy1908

willy1908

Peru

I agree with Lily. The music and Lana Del Rey’s voice has a special effect in one combined in that song. However the video doesn’t offer a good story.

04:07 AM Nov 08 2014 |

1 person likes this

kiarash_m

kiarash_m

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

In my opinion, her latest album”Ultravioleve” sounds like the music from the 80s mix it up little bit with electronic sounds, which make it sounds more psychedelic. I myself am very into this album and often play it when I take a nap after lunch. It helps me to chill out and forget about my daily activities.


08:41 PM Nov 07 2014 |

1 person likes this

Marcel We

Marcel We

Germany

I have also watched the music video from this song. At first I also find it a little weird and to be honest I still can’t think of its sense and what it should express. Nevertheless I feel like there is a message or something else she is trying express that way (or maybe there is a story behind it), even if we can’t figure out what it is at first sight. I like most of her songs, especially “Young & Beautiful” which is the theme song in “the great gatsby” :-)

02:00 PM Nov 07 2014 |

aijaciba

aijaciba

Latvia

My favorite is “Summertime sadness”.

09:59 AM Nov 07 2014 |

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Video “Ultraviolence ” is made in style of “home video” I think. The idea is unusual and nice. Lonely bride, walking in the greenery plus tender sun beams add to the video some mistery and horror at the same time.  


As far as I know this new album of Lana Del Rey was accepted and liked by critics.


Her songs are not what I personally like. Her music is too dramatic and depressive to me except of one my favorite song “Burning Desire ”, album “Paradise”

04:57 AM Nov 07 2014 |

Likes (11):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast