Lana - Del Rey Money Power Glory
The crashing drums and distorted guitars give it a "James Bond theme" grandeur, making her personal vendetta feel like a massive, widescreen epic. Cultural Impact
"Money Power Glory" is a cinematic, satirical anthem from Lana Del Rey’s 2014 album Ultraviolence . Produced by Greg Kurstin, the track stands as one of her most overt critiques of the media's perception of her persona. Lana Del Rey Money Power Glory
By using quasi-religious language—"Hallelujah, I wanna take you for all that you got"—she frames the pursuit of success as a spiritual, albeit dark, devotion. The crashing drums and distorted guitars give it
It explores the shift from wanting to be loved for her art to simply wanting the power and resources that come with the industry, as a form of protection or compensation for her lack of privacy. It is a cynical, self-aware middle finger to
"Money Power Glory" remains a fan favorite because it captures the "Born to Die" era's obsession with luxury but strips away the romanticism. It is a cynical, self-aware middle finger to her critics that proved she was far more in control of her narrative than they gave her credit for.
Musically, the song is a heavy, slow-burn "rock-ballad" that fits the moody, psychedelic aesthetic of Ultraviolence .
The lyrics represent an embrace of "The Great American Dream" in its most ruthless, materialist form. Sonics and Style