13 Songs That Explain The History of New Americana Pop
Genre Masterclass
Halsey has a song titled “New Americana,” which laid out a new subgenre of pop music taking a hold of 2010’s culture. Before and after its release in 2015, we’ve experienced the sentiments of New Americana Pop from the likes of Lana Del Rey, Halsey and Taylor Swift.
OCTOBER 11, 2023
BY HARPSICHORD
Digital illustration of Lana Del Rey’s ‘Born To Die’ profile picture in front of the American flag.
While tweeting with fans in 2017, Halsey admitted that her first ever single, “New Americana,” is her least favorite. She claimed that performing it so much caused “burn out.” The “hate” that Halsey has is justifiable, as the song is meant to be a satire about American pop culture, its traditions, and values. It’s defiantly pop in the most ironic of ways. But what Halsey didn't realize is that she coined a term for subgenre that had been bubbling for some time.
The traditional Americana asserts the values of American culture in music that originates from the country such as folk, jazz, bluegrass, and rock-n-roll. Eventually Americana has expanded in definition as gospel, R&B, and hip hop stemmed from American cities. These efforts have caused more diversity in that specific genre.
Americana Pop is not exactly based in the traditional folk and country influences. Americana Pop has a basis of pop music, and eventually trickles out into the borderline-mocking the cheesy themes of American identity. These songs were prevalent in the 2010’s, as counterculture started to become more influential in a decade full of turbulent identity politics.
Here is a list of 13 pop songs that represent the genre of New Americana Pop as best as Halsey tried to portray in her song.
“Party In The U.S.A” - Miley Cyrus (2009)
Every Fourth of July, you’re bound to hear this hit. It’s fueled by electric guitars that can be heard in country rock music. It’s about Miley Cyrus chasing the American dream, as the first verse notes “I hopped out the plane at LAX with a dream and a cardigan.” There are references to America’s sweetheart Britney Spears, and the rapper known for documenting his own hustle in the American dream, Jay-Z. In the video, Miley Cyrus dances in front of an American flag in a millennial country girl get-up of Daisy Dukes denim shorts and cowboy boots. This year, the song returned to the Hot 100 at No. 50 thanks to the many 4th of July celebrations.
The ‘Born To Die’ Album and its ‘Paradise’ EP (2012)
When Lana Del Rey first arrived to the mainstream, she instantly got compared to a “gangsta” version of Nancy Sinatra. While her voice sweltered and dragged like the legendary traditional pop singer, her beats knocked with influences of trap and electronica. Her debut album, Born To Die, makes many references to American symbolism and imagery, while discussing the pervasive influences of the modern generations, such as lust, drugs, alcohol, money, and power. If there is a textbook on what New Americana Pop should sound like, Born To Die, shall be regarded as that record. At the end of 2012, Lana Del Rey released an eight track extension EP for Born To Die, titled Paradise. This record extenuated the sounds bringing them more to a Great Gatsby sensibility.
“Video Games” - Lana Del Rey (2011)
Lush in its personality, “Video Games” became the breakout hit for Lana Del Rey’s rise in Pop Culture. The characteristics of it exist in the instrumentals of strings, synths, and harps. On top of the production is Lana dragging her voice in the manners of folk singing– mirroring Johnny Cash. When she sings "I heard you like the bad girls, honey, is that true?" it evokes the counterculture of pin-up models who rose to prominence in the 1940s. In today’s society, video games often have an attachment to male culture– and on “Video Games,” Lana is setting up a gaze primarily for her ex-boyfriend. She also suggests that “Video Games” is inspired by World of Warcraft.
National Anthem - Lana Del Rey (2012)
In the music video for “National Anthem,” Lana Del Rey plays the roles of Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy, while A$AP Rocky portrays President John F. Kennedy. The visual displays them partying in the style of 2010’s parties with flashy jewelry, yachts, twerking, and bubblies. Over a trip-hop beat, the singer finds herself rap-singing about “excessive buying” and “overdosing.” To fit the sentiments of New Americana Pop, Lana lays out “it’s a love story for the new age.” The music video would also recreate the assassination of JFK, which was a pivotal moment in American history.
“American” - Lana Del Rey (2012)
“Be young, be dope, be proud,” is what she sings in the chorus. “American” is bright in its celebration of the country’s Pop Culture. Some references: Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Presley are referred to as “the king” and “the best,” “skin so golden brown” referring to tanning, and L.A. The song in a way lampoons monogamy in American relationships, as the first words are literally “play house.” It’s a much tamer version of American identity than “Cola” which opens with “my p*ssy tastes like Pepsi-Cola, my eyes are wide like cherry pie.”
“Somewhereinamerica” - Jay-Z (2013)
In terms of American rappers who best embody the American dream and the dynamics of capitalism, Jay-Z is the poster child. The catalog of the self-proclaimed “Frank Sinatra of Hip Hop” has been candid about his drug dealing past in the Marcy Projects and how he has grown from that to amass a billion dollar empire. Over an opulent production that interpolates "Gangster of Love (Part 1)" by Johnny Guitar Watson, the rapper shouts out “new Blacks with new stacks.” The song actively discusses racism– even towards those that are rich like himself. At the end he claims, “SomewhereInAmerica, Miley Cyrus is still twerkin’,” as a response on how Black culture is profitable– even amongst his fellow pop stars.
“American Oxygen” - Rihanna (2015)
There is the National Anthem, and then there is the Anti-National Anthem, as presented by Rihanna. “Young girl hustlin’ on the other side of the ocean,” confidently sings the Bajan superstar. The song about immigration even features lyrics written by Candice Pillay, who herself is an immigrant. Fueled by warped dubstep production, Rihanna discusses “we sweat for a nickel and dime, turn it into an empire.” “This is America, we are the new America,” she claims towards the end of the song. The music video features her in front of an American flag, with montages of historical moments that were captured in American history. The song was inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The U.S.A.”
“New Americana” - Halsey (2015)
Although Halsey may hate this song, it is quintessential pop music– particularly of the Tumblr era of social media. It describes partying as a millennial– but in the most stereotypical way possible. “We are the new Americana high on legal marijuana,” being a nod to the recreational use of the drug.
There is a salute to gay marriage: “Young James Dean/Some say he looks just/like his father/But he/Could never love somebody's daughter/Football team/Loved more than just the game/So he vowed to be/His husband at the altar.”
There is a reference to being raised on Nirvana and Biggie, where Halsey even interpolates the melody of Biggie’s “Juicy”– a song where the rapper starts out by saying ‘it was all a dream.”
“Formation” - Beyoncé (2016)
Beyoncé caused quite the uproar when she put her Black identity on full display. She talked about “Jackson 5 nostrils” (ironically the group would receive the ‘90’s biopic, mini-series titled “An American Dream”), being “a Black Bill Gates in the making” (a reference to her status of wealth), and her “Daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana/You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bama!” (a nod to her heritage). When she performed it at the 50th Super Bowl Halftime Show in Black Panther garb that also replicated Michael Jackson’s 1993 Super Bowl outfit, conservatives were outraged. The music video displayed her drowning in a cop car, addressing the ongoing police brutality.
“God Bless America – and All the Beautiful Women in It” - Lana Del Rey (2017)
After President Trump was elected and defeated Hillary Clinton– who was vying to be the first woman President– many American women felt robbed of a moment in history. Lana Del Rey’s song from her Lust For Life album felt like a subtle response. “God Bless America,” may not be the official national anthem, but the patriotic tune written in 1918 and revised in 1938 stands as an important number. Lana Del Rey did her own spin on it, while saluting women like herself. “May they stand proud and strong like Lady Liberty,” acknowledges the symbolic Statue of Liberty. The song is backed by a trap beat with the sound effect of gun salutes. At the end the song transforms for all citizens, as the singer repeats “and all the beautiful people in it.”
“American Teen” - Khalid (2017)
In the same vein as Halsey’s “New Americana,” Khalid gives an anecdote of his generation. This song talks about partying and graduating from high school. As the opening title track, he sings “while I’m high off my American dream,” and boasts that he is “proud to be American.” The production itself is that of power ‘80’s synth-pop. According to Khalid himself, the song discusses being unsure of one’s true identity in the years of being a teen.
“This is America” - Childish Gambino (2018)
Known for its controversial music video, “This Is America” delves deeper into racism across America. “Don’t catch you slippin’ now,” warns Childish Gambino to Black people. It’s also commentary on the second amendment, which by this point became a heavily discussed topic in politics. Styled in gospel, the song features ad-libs from Young Thug, Slim Jxmmi, BlocBoy JB, 21 Savage and Quavo. Backed by hip hop, trap, and afrobeats, the song went on to win Song of the Year and Record of the Year, ultimately sweeping all four of its nominations at the 2019 Grammys.
Taylor Swift
In the 2010’s, it started to become clear that Taylor Swift was being primed to be America’s Sweetheart. With a conventional look of being a skinny, modelesque, good-girl blonde, she became the object of affection for multiple media outlets. Her dominance at the Grammys– including two Album of the Year wins, before her third in 2021– showed that she had been a last great hope for the racial entities that oftentimes rule the music industry.
However things shifted once there was more pressure on her to become more politically involved in her music. With a fan base consisting of women who pride themselves as feminists, as well as the LGBTQ community, Taylor Swift could no longer idle the fence of “Is she conservative? Is she racist?”
In her Netflix documentary, “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince,” Taylor Swift disavowed herself as a secret Trump-MAGA supporter, instead placing her energy in helping the Democratic party. In a simple Instagram post she spoke out against Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, much to the dismay of her father and team, who felt it would alienate her fan base and get her blacklisted from the industry. It became the smartest move she did, and that helped her push even more record sales.
“Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” - Taylor Swift (2019)
Mocking the spirit of cheerleaders in a high school hallway, Taylor Swift created a protest anthem against the MAGA base. The song occupies the territory of ‘80’s synth-pop, with a dramatic urgency. It ties into the themes of her album, Reputation, where she was cast as a villain by the media and pop fans at large. This time around she flips the narrative for the purpose of politics. She even mentions “American stories burning before me,” a reference to how she was disillusioned by her naivete by what was truly going on in American politics.
“The Last Great American Dynasty” - Taylor Swift (2020)
Ending the 2010’s and transitioning into the 2020’s, Taylor Swift would gain a new fan base with her album, Folklore, which played on the themes of American music. As a modernized Americana effort, Taylor delves into her political choices a little further. This song in itself discusses High Watch mansion in Rhode Island, which used to belong to American socialite Rebekah Harkness. In the end, she draws parallels between the both of them being the gossip in town– ultimately marveling “I had a marvelous time, ruining everything!”
