Released: 2019
Lana Del Rey’s cover of “Doin’ Time,” originally by Sublime, is a smooth twist on the ska-punk classic that captures the essence of an endless, easy summer but with an undercurrent of personal turmoil and strained relationships. It’s a story of love, betrayal, and the complexity of emotions, wrapped in the carefree vibes of summer and iconic Southern California culture.
Right from the jump, “Summertime and the living’s easy” sets the stage for this laid-back summer anthem. Here, Lana isn’t just painting a picture of the good life; she’s diving deep into the contrast between the ease of summer and the complexity of her personal life. When she mentions “Bradley’s on the microphone with Ras MG,” she’s paying homage to Sublime’s original lead singer, Bradley Nowell, weaving the group’s history into her reinterpretation and connecting the dots between then and now.
The chorus, “All the people in the dance will agree that we’re well qualified to represent the L.B.C,” emphasizes a sense of community and local pride for Long Beach, California. It’s a shoutout to the place that birthed Sublime’s sound, brought to life in Lana’s cover with her own unique spin. But as we dive into the verses, we uncover a story of a troubled relationship: “Me and my girl, we got this relationship. I love her so bad, but she treats me like shit.” Here, Lana explores the pain of being in a love that is unreciprocated, where she gives all but receives little in return, leaving her feeling like she’s in a “lockdown, like a penitentiary.”
As we move further, the line “Oh, take this veil from off my eyes. My burning sun will some day rise,” speaks to a moment of self-realization and empowerment. It’s about Lana seeing the truth of her situation and finding the strength to rise above it, despite the heartache and the challenge it presents. And yet, the summer vibe persists, a testament to the complexity of life where personal struggles and the world’s beauty coexist.
The dark turn comes with, “Evil, we’ve come to tell you that she’s evil, most definitely.” The introduction of the word evil signals a shift in how the relationship is viewed. It’s not just troubled; it’s toxic, marked by deceit and manipulation. The tension in the relationship is heating up, metaphorically matching the rising summer temperatures, leading to a darkly comedic, though controversial, fantasy of ending the torment she feels.
Throughout “Doin’ Time,” Lana Del Rey wanders through the complexities of a summer that’s both easy and hard, loving and painful. She is caught in the contrast between the idyllic setting of Southern California and the personal struggle of a failing relationship. It’s a refreshing yet haunting rendition that stays true to the vibe of the original while adding Lana’s iconic melancholic touch, highlighting the timeless struggle of seeking love, facing betrayal, and ultimately, finding strength within oneself.
