Tough – Quavo and Lana Del Rey

The recent release of Quavo and Lana Del Rey’s “Tough” music video has generated quite a stir. The unexpected collaboration between the rapper and the singer has surprised fans, and the video clip has only increased interest.

Shot in an idyllic rural setting, the video features Quavo and Lana Del Rey as lovers united by a difficult past and a shared inner strength. Let’s analyze the key elements of the video and how they contribute to the narrative of this unconventional relationship.

A Country Landscape as a Backdrop
The video takes place in a pictorial country setting. Vast green expanses, clear skies, and a stately Southern-style mansion create an atmosphere of serenity and nostalgia. This setting deliberately contrasts with the toughness suggested by the song’s title (“Tough”, which means “tough” or “resistant” in Spanish).

The juxtaposition of natural beauty with the theme of resilience conveys the idea that emotional strength can flourish even in the quietest places.

Tough Love: Trust and Complicity
Throughout the video, Quavo and Lana Del Rey exhibit a natural complicity. We see them embraced on the porch of the mansion, sharing tender glances and enjoying each other’s company. These scenes convey a sense of mutual trust and deep connection.

However, there are signs that their love has not been easy. In one shot we see Lana Del Rey holding an old photograph, presumably of a lost loved one. Shots of Quavo staring into the horizon also suggest that the two have faced challenges in the past.

The lyrics of the song reinforce this idea. Both Quavo and Lana Del Rey sing about toughness and resilience, suggesting that they have overcome difficult experiences. Their union is presented as an emotional refuge, a place where they can find comfort and mutual support.

Symbols of Strength: Weapons and Nature
The video incorporates some interesting symbols that contribute to the fortress theme. In one scene, Lana Del Rey appears holding a hunting rifle. While the image may seem jarring in a country setting, it also represents the ability to defend oneself and face challenges.

On the other hand, nature itself functions as a symbol of resistance. Sturdy trees, rolling hills, and open skies convey a sense of timelessness and strength. By placing themselves in the middle of this landscape, Quavo and Lana Del Rey associate themselves with these qualities.

An Unexpected Musical Fusion: Rap and Melancholic Melodies
The collaboration between Quavo, known for his hard-hitting rap style, and Lana Del Rey, known for her melancholic melodies, has been a surprise to many. However, in the video, the musical union works in unexpected ways.

Quavo’s rap verses bring energy and a sense of modernity, while Lana Del Rey’s ethereal vocals provide a touch of nostalgia and romanticism. The fusion of these styles creates a unique atmosphere that complements the visual narrative of the video.

An Open End: An Uncertain Future
The video ends with a scene of Quavo inviting Lana Del Rey to accompany him to a mysterious location. She accepts, and they both drive away in a car. This open ending leaves viewers with several questions. Where are you going? What challenges await you?

The ambiguity of the ending allows fans to interpret the story in their own way. However, it also conveys a sense of cautious optimism. After overcoming their individual struggles, Quavo and Lana Del Rey face the future together, hoping to build a lasting relationship.

Conclusion: A Surprising and Meaningful Video Clip
Quavo and Lana Del Rey’s “Tough” music video is a visually appealing and meaningful offering. The country setting, the chemistry between the protagonists, the symbols of strength and the unexpected musical fusion combine to create a compelling narrative about love, resistance and hope. While the initial collaboration surprised fans, the music video has managed to generate a lot of interest and promises to become a global hit.

[Chorus: Lana Del Rey]
Tough like the scuff on a pair of old leather boots
Like the blue-collar, red-dirt attitude
Like a .38 made out of brass
Tough like the stuff in your grandpa’s glass
Life’s gonna do what it does
Sure as the good Lord’s up above
I’m cut like a diamond shinin’ in the rough
Tough
Tough

[Verse 1: Quavo, Quavo & Lana Del Rey]
Come on, take a ride with me
Like the 808s beatin’ in the trunk in Atlanta, it was tough
It was kinda hard for me
Crawlin’ through the mud, I couldn’t find love, then we came up
Look at what we are, baby
Standin’ through the storm, still shinin’ like a diamond in the rough
Still shinin’, and that’s hard
If you ever lost someonе that you love

[Pre-Chorus: Quavo]
Through the pain, gotta show ’em, givе ’em light
Still family if you’re wrong or you’re right
No matter, we together
It’s not somethin’ that you wanna do, it’s just somethin’ you goin’ through
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[Chorus: Quavo & Lana Del Rey, Quavo, Lana Del Rey]
Tough like the scuff on a pair of old leather boots
Like the blue-collar, red-dirt attitude
Like a .38 made out of brass
Tough like the stuff in your grandpa’s glass (Grandpa’s glass)
Life’s gonna do what it does (Ooh)
Sure as the good Lord’s up above
I’m cut like a diamond shinin’ in the rough (Shine, shine)
Tough
Hard

[Verse 2: Lana Del Rey, Quavo, Lana Del Rey & Quavo]
Tell me how it’s hard for you
Like a nickel on strings and your good old Gibson guitar
Tell me what it feel like
Like the smoke and the drawl every now in the way you talk slow
Oh yeah, yeah
Like the songs that your mama sing to you
And the way that it makes you tell the truth
If you come from where you come, then you were born tough

[Bridge: Lana Del Rey & Quavo]
Here, say where you come from
It’s not what you wanna do, it’s what you’re gonna do
Now, it’s no place to run
If that’s what you’re gonna do, what am I gonna do? (Tough)

[Chorus: Quavo & Lana Del Rey, Quavo, Lana Del Rey]
Tough like the scuff on a pair of old leather boots
Like the blue-collar, red-dirt attitude (Yeah, yeah)
Like a .38 made out of brass
Tough like the stuff in your grandpa’s glass (Grandpa’s glass)
Life’s gonna do what it does (Ooh)
Sure as the good Lord’s up above
I’m cut like a diamond shinin’ in the rough (Shine, shine)
Tough

[Outro: Quavo & Lana Del Rey]
You wanna come to the Nawf? (Mm-hm)
I’ll show you around
That’s why I said, “Come take a ride with me”
When?
Whenever, whenever you ready
Call on me, brr
I’ll give it back when I get there
Aight, that’s a bet