"Oh Say Can You See" is a song written by Lana Del Rey and produced by David Kahne. The song was released in 2010 on Del Rey's debut studio album, Lana Del Ray.
Background
A demo of the song was recorded in January 14, 2007, at Studio 356 during the same recording session (also known as "Disco" Recording Sessions) with "Let My Hair Down" (3 takes) and "Disco" (7 takes).
The final version was mastered on February 25, 2008, between 6 and 7 PM, along with the rest of Lana Del Ray tracks (except for "Gramma (Blue Ribbon Sparkler Trailer Heaven)" and "Raise Me Up (Mississippi South)".
On January 23, 2015, a demo of the song leaked from a recording session alongside different takes of "Disco" and "Let My Hair Down".
Cross-references
- The song is named using lyrics from the Star Spangled Banner, as "National Anthem" is.
- Nirvana is mentioned in "Prom Song (Gone Wrong)" and "Television Heaven".
Official versions
- Album version — 3:40
- Demo version — 4:37
Lyrics
Album version
Oh, say, can you see my stars?
The night time is almost ours
To wander through alleys and look at the bars
Night time is almost ours
The headlights from passing cars
They illuminate my face then leave me the dark
The voice of Nirvana says, "come as you are"
And I will
The night time is almost ours
The sway of the hips and arms
Will cradle you from afar
They swing till you're tired and send you to Mars
Night time is almost ours
Demo version
Oh, say, can you see my stars?
The night time is almost ours
To play in the alleys and look at the bars
The night time is almost ours, ours
The headlights from passing cars
Illuminate my face then fade into dark
The voice of Nirvana says, "come as you are"
And I will, the night time is almost ours, ours
The sway of the hips and arms
Will hypnotize from afar
They swing till you're tired and send you to Mars
The night time is almost ours
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