Lana Del Rey: Lolita, Little Girls and Daddy

In Malka Howley's PopMatters article, “You Know You Like Little Girls: Lana Del Rey and Dolores Haze" (20 Feb 2013), Lana Del Rey described herself as, “Lolita lost in the hood."

Thus, unsurprisingly, references to the most famous nymphet are peppered throughout Lana’s early lyrics. For example, “Little Girls (Put Me In A Movie)” is a song on Lana Del Ray (2010). Here is a self-explanatory excerpt from the lyrics:

Lights, camera, action

If he likes me, takes me home

Come on, you know you like little girls

Come on, you know you like little girls

You can be my daddy

You can be my daddy

What may not be apparent is that “Put Me In A Movie” is an additional reference to Lolita as Lolita had an affinity for the movies. “Everything was fine. There, in the lobby, she [Lolita] sat, deep in an overstuffed blood-red armchair, deep in a lurid movie magazine.”

“Carmen” is a song that was co-written by Lana and is on Born to Die (2012) - Lana’s second album. Sometimes, Humbert referred to Lolita as Carmen. “My Carmen,” I said (I used to call her that sometimes), “we shall leave this raw sore town as soon as you get out of bed.” 

“Off to the Races” is on Born to Die too and was co-written by Lana as well. A riff of “Off to the Races” contains one of Lolita’s most famous sentences: 

Light of his life, fire of his loins

Keep me forever, tell me you want me

Light of your life, fire of your loins

Tell me you want me, gimme them coins

Humbert said it better: “Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta.” 

And “Lolita” is on Born to Die: The Paradise Edition (2012) - an album reissue. Here is “Lolita’s” riff: 

Hey Lolita, hey

Hey Lolita, hey

I know what the boys want, I'm not gonna play

Hey Lolita, hey

Hey Lolita, hey

Whistle all you want but I'm not gonna say

No more skipping rope, skipping heart beats with the boys downtown

Just you and me feeling the heat even when the sun goes down