BACK IN 2012, Lana Del Rey released an EP called Paradise, which featured a song called Cola.
The lyrics to the song (written by Del Rey and Rick Nowels) are about a relationship with an older, married man and they’ve come under scrutiny the past few weeks because of a perceived connection to Harvey Weinstein.
Around the 35 second mark, some lyrics websites claim she says “Ah, he’s in the sky” while others believe she says “Harvey’s in the sky”
Once the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke last month, PageSix revisited the song and wrote that it was originally about the disgraced mogul:
Lana Del Rey’s 2012 track “Cola” about older men is about Harvey Weinstein, sources tell us. “Cola” features the lyrics: “I got a taste for men who are older. It’s always been, so it’s no surprise,” and was originally followed by the line, “Harvey’s in the sky with diamonds and he’s making me crazy. All he wants to do is party with his pretty baby.”
We’re told the song is ironic. (She wasn’t into Weinstein at all.)
On the issue of the supposed Harvey lyric in the chorus, PageSix claim that she no longer sings it live because of Weinstein’s original reaction to being referenced:
when Weinstein heard about the lyrics to the song, and that his first name was included, one source said, “Harvey went bananas and insisted Del Rey change the lyrics, which she did, removing Harvey’s name, so the line now goes, “Ah he’s in the sky with diamonds and he’s making me crazy.”
Del Rey addressed the claims for the first time in an interview with MTV yesterday – saying that she will no longer be singing it
She says that she didn’t have Weinstein specifically in mind when writing it, but someone like him:
When I wrote that song, I suppose I had a Harvey Weinstein/Harry Winston-type of character in mind.
I envisioned, like, a benevolent, diamond-bestowing-upon-starlets visual, like a Citizen Kane or something. I’m not really sure.
I thought it was funny at the time, and I obviously find it really sad now. I support the women who have come forward. I think they’re really brave for doing that.
Asked was the song an intentional reference, Lana said:
“It was in the ether, I suppose, but obviously I don’t feel comfortable with it now. I thought of that right away”
Then pressed on whether she’d be retiring it, she said:
I would say definitely.
Don’t expect Cola to be popping up on a Lana Del Rey setlist any time soon.
