Lana Del Rey, the enigmatic queen of melancholic pop and cinematic storytelling, has captivated millions with her hauntingly beautiful voice and poetic lyrics. Over the years, she has become a cultural icon, blending vintage glamour with modern vulnerability to create a sound and aesthetic uniquely her own. Whether she’s crooning about love lost, nostalgia for a bygone era, or the intoxicating allure of rebellion, Lana’s music transports listeners to a world dripping with romanticism and raw emotion.
From her breakout hit “Video Games” to the sultry anthems of Born to Die and the introspective ballads of Norman F**ing Rockwell!*, Lana has carved out a legacy as one of the most influential artists of her generation. Each song is a masterpiece, weaving together cinematic imagery, lush melodies, and a touch of vintage Americana. Her music resonates deeply with fans, offering both escapism and reflection, making her one of the most beloved voices of contemporary music.
In this article, we’ll dive into the top 10 most popular Lana Del Rey songs of all time. Prepare to take a journey through the tracks that defined her career, stole hearts, and solidified her as a global icon. Let’s explore the magic of Lana Del Rey!
1. “Video Games” (2011)
When Lana Del Rey released “Video Games” in 2011, she not only created a song but a movement in music. This breakout single served as a gateway into her world of hauntingly cinematic music and emotionally charged lyrics. The track, with its hypnotic melody and nostalgic flair, explores love in its simplest yet most bittersweet form. Lana’s sultry, melancholic vocals resonate deeply with listeners, creating a sense of longing for a romance that feels as fleeting as the video games referenced in the song’s title. The song paints a vivid picture of a love story where the narrator feels devoted to someone who seems detached and lost in their own world, a dynamic that echoes the detachment often found in modern relationships. Accompanied by orchestral strings that evoke a sense of grandeur, the production of “Video Games” creates a cinematic atmosphere that amplifies its emotional weight. Lana’s voice, both vulnerable and powerful, adds a sense of timelessness to the song, making it feel as though it belongs to another era while still resonating with a contemporary audience. The music video, a montage of vintage visuals and grainy footage, further encapsulates the sense of longing and nostalgia that the song evokes. “Video Games” was more than just a hit; it was a cultural statement that introduced the world to Lana’s unique artistry and her ability to blend the past and present. To this day, the song remains one of her most iconic tracks, capturing the melancholic beauty and depth that define much of her discography.
2. “Born to Die” (2011)
Lana Del Rey’s title track from her debut album, Born to Die, is an anthem of tragic beauty that blends orchestral grandeur with modern beats, creating a haunting sonic landscape. The song, released in 2011, is a reflection on doomed romance and the yearning for something unattainable. Lana’s voice, sultry and ethereal, conveys both vulnerability and defiance as she sings about being caught in a love that’s bound to end in heartbreak. The orchestral arrangement, featuring sweeping strings and dramatic brass, gives the track a cinematic quality, almost as if it were a film score for a love story doomed to fail. The song’s lyrics, filled with existential longing and a deep sense of inevitability, paint a picture of a love that is as consuming as it is fleeting. “Born to Die” also marks the moment Lana fully embraced her larger-than-life persona, blending vintage glamour with modern sensibilities. The accompanying music video, where Lana is seen draped in a flowing dress, surrounded by tigers in a grandiose setting, reinforces the theme of tragic romance and captures the essence of Lana’s signature style: a blend of opulence and melancholy. This track quickly became one of Lana’s defining songs, captivating listeners with its emotionally charged lyrics and powerful production. The song’s blend of nostalgia and contemporary themes resonated with fans worldwide, and it marked the beginning of Lana Del Rey’s journey into becoming one of the most distinctive voices in modern music. “Born to Die” remains a testament to her artistry and her ability to craft timeless anthems of heartache and passion.
3. “Summertime Sadness” (2012)
“Summertime Sadness,” from Lana Del Rey’s 2012 album Born to Die, became an instant classic, capturing the melancholic beauty that has become synonymous with her music. The track weaves a tale of fleeting romance and the bittersweet nostalgia of summer love, exploring the inevitable heartbreak that follows. The production of the song is lush and atmospheric, blending Lana’s signature haunting vocals with sweeping orchestration and subtle electronic elements. The song’s melancholy tone is paired with an infectious melody, making it both a haunting ballad and a song that you can’t help but sway along to. The lyrics reflect on the fleeting nature of love, comparing the intensity of the romance to the transient beauty of summer, a season that always seems to end too soon. Lana’s voice, rich with emotion, conveys the depth of the sadness she feels, yet there is an undeniable sense of liberation in her delivery, as if embracing the impermanence of it all. The remix of “Summertime Sadness” by Cedric Gervais took the song to even greater heights, turning it into a summer anthem for the club scene, but the original version remains a fan favorite for its raw emotion and cinematic storytelling. The track’s music video, featuring Lana in a sultry, nostalgic setting, only enhances the feelings of longing and loss conveyed in the song. “Summertime Sadness” is a standout track in Lana Del Rey’s discography, showcasing her ability to craft music that is both deeply emotional and widely accessible, all while maintaining her distinct, atmospheric style.
4. “Young and Beautiful” (2013)
Featured on The Great Gatsby soundtrack, “Young and Beautiful” is one of Lana Del Rey’s most hauntingly beautiful tracks. Released in 2013, the song captures the opulence and tragedy of the film, exploring themes of youth, beauty, and the impermanence of both. With its lush orchestration and Lana’s ethereal vocals, the track conveys a deep sense of longing, as she questions whether love will endure once her beauty fades. The song’s central question, “Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?” resonates on a universal level, speaking to the insecurities and fears that accompany aging and the passage of time. Lana’s voice, vulnerable and fragile, amplifies the emotional weight of the lyrics, making the song feel like an intimate reflection on the fleeting nature of life and love. The orchestral arrangement adds a cinematic quality to the track, with swelling strings and piano that build to a haunting crescendo. The atmosphere created by the production mirrors the glamorous yet tragic world of The Great Gatsby, evoking a sense of decadence and loss. “Young and Beautiful” became an instant classic, praised for its emotional depth and its ability to capture the essence of the film. Lana’s ability to blend vintage glamour with contemporary themes made this track a standout, and it remains one of her most poignant and enduring songs. The track’s timeless theme of love and loss continues to resonate with listeners, making it a defining moment in Lana Del Rey’s career and a highlight of the Lust for Life era.
5. “West Coast” (2014)
With “West Coast,” released in 2014, Lana Del Rey pushed the boundaries of her sound, experimenting with a new musical direction that would become a hallmark of her Ultraviolence album. The song is a shift from the vintage-inspired, orchestral arrangements of her earlier work, instead incorporating a more modern, psychedelic vibe. The track moves between dreamy, slow-paced verses and an upbeat, rock-infused chorus, perfectly capturing the tension of a tumultuous relationship. The lyrics describe the push-and-pull of love, drawing parallels between the speaker’s feelings and the contrasting moods of the West Coast. Lana’s voice, sultry and smoky, glides effortlessly through the track’s shifting dynamics, embodying the conflicting emotions that come with being in a passionate yet unstable relationship. The production, handled by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, is minimal yet hypnotic, with a driving rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of the emotions described in the song. “West Coast” was a bold departure from the cinematic, orchestral style of her previous work, and its unconventional structure made it stand out in her catalog. The song’s dreamy verses create a sense of longing, while the chorus bursts with energy, mirroring the intensity of the emotions that the speaker is feeling. The track’s combination of hazy, atmospheric production and upbeat rhythms made it an immediate standout, marking a new phase in Lana’s musical evolution. “West Coast” became a fan favorite and a staple of Lana’s live shows, showcasing her willingness to experiment with new sounds while staying true to her signature style. It remains one of her most innovative and beloved tracks.
6. “Brooklyn Baby” (2014)
“Brooklyn Baby,” from Lana Del Rey’s 2014 album Ultraviolence, is a playful yet satirical commentary on the world of hipster culture. With its witty lyrics and breezy melody, the song provides a glimpse into Lana’s ability to blend humor and critique with her characteristic melancholic style. In this track, Lana embraces the persona of a carefree, self-aware “Brooklyn baby” – someone who’s both part of and distanced from the trend-driven world around her. The song’s laid-back, folk-pop feel is contrasted with Lana’s sharp commentary, poking fun at the clichés of hipster life while simultaneously embodying them. Her vocals, breezy and sarcastic, glide over the song’s dreamy production, adding a layer of irony to the lyrics. The track’s minimalist arrangement, featuring a steady beat, playful piano, and subtle guitar, provides the perfect backdrop for Lana’s tongue-in-cheek storytelling. It’s a song that’s as much about performance and self-awareness as it is about commentary on the societal trends of the time. Despite its lighthearted tone, “Brooklyn Baby” has a sense of underlying depth, as Lana reflects on the artifice and posturing that often come with living in a cultural hotspot like Brooklyn. “Brooklyn Baby” stands out as one of Lana’s most versatile tracks, capturing her ability to play with different musical styles while still maintaining her signature sense of romanticism and vulnerability. It quickly became a fan favorite, beloved for its catchiness and its clever lyrics. In many ways, the track exemplifies the contradictions at the heart of Lana’s artistry: the juxtaposition of irony and sincerity, glamour and grittiness, as well as the exploration of identity and self-expression in a world full of contradictions.
7. “High by the Beach” (2015)
“High by the Beach,” the lead single from Lana Del Rey’s 2015 album Honeymoon, marked a shift towards a more minimalist, atmospheric sound. The track blends dreamy production with Lana’s haunting vocals, creating an almost ethereal quality that perfectly captures the mood of escapism and solitude. The song’s narrative centers around a woman who has grown tired of the chaos and expectations of the outside world, seeking peace and freedom by retreating to the beach—a symbol of independence and tranquility. Lana’s voice, soft and delicate, conveys a sense of longing and defiance, as she declares, “All I want to do is get high by the beach.” The production, with its minimalist beat and sparse instrumentation, echoes the song’s themes of isolation and quiet rebellion. The slow, pulsing rhythm is hypnotic, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the track’s sense of calm detachment. Yet, beneath the surface of serenity, there’s an undercurrent of tension—Lana is not simply escaping; she’s also asserting her autonomy and rejecting the pressures of fame and societal expectation. The music video, featuring Lana walking along a windswept beach with a sense of quiet determination, perfectly complements the song’s themes of independence and solitude. “High by the Beach” is a track that feels both personal and universal—capturing the yearning for peace and simplicity that many of us feel in an increasingly complicated world. The song became an instant favorite, praised for its evocative imagery and hypnotic mood. It’s one of the most atmospheric tracks in Lana’s catalog, showcasing her ability to craft songs that are both emotionally rich and sonically captivating.
8. “Love” (2017)
Released as the lead single from her 2017 album Lust for Life, “Love” is an uplifting and nostalgic celebration of youth, romance, and the innocence of love. The song’s dreamy production and Lana’s tender, breathy vocals create a warm and ethereal atmosphere that resonates with listeners on a deeply emotional level. The lyrics speak to the joy and wonder of being in love, capturing that sense of youthful idealism and excitement that comes with discovering a new relationship. It’s a song about hope, about the thrill of feeling invincible and in tune with the world around you, all while falling deeper into love. The track’s production is expansive and lush, with sweeping strings and atmospheric synths that add to the sense of nostalgia and dreaminess. It’s a sonic journey that feels like a beautiful escape, with Lana’s voice guiding us through a world where everything seems possible and love is a timeless force. “Love” stands in contrast to some of Lana’s more melancholic tracks, offering a refreshing sense of optimism and lightness. The lyrics are filled with affirmations of hope, urging listeners to embrace the joy of the moment and the beauty of love without overthinking the future. Lana’s vocals, warm and vulnerable, add an extra layer of tenderness to the song, making it feel deeply personal. “Love” was embraced by fans and critics alike for its fresh, more upbeat tone, showing a different side to Lana’s artistry. It’s a track that reminds us of the magic of love, not just as a fleeting emotion, but as a transformative force that shapes our lives and gives us a sense of purpose.
9. “Lust for Life” (featuring The Weeknd) (2017)
“Lust for Life,” the title track from Lana Del Rey’s 2017 album, is a captivating collaboration with The Weeknd that blends the best of both artists’ sounds. The track is a lush, atmospheric anthem that celebrates freedom, passion, and the intoxicating allure of life itself. With its dreamy production, the song captures a sense of carefree liberation, yet it also touches on the complexities and contradictions of love and desire. Lana’s sultry vocals intertwine seamlessly with The Weeknd’s smooth delivery, creating an undeniable chemistry that elevates the track to a whole new level. The lyrics explore themes of escapism and yearning, with both artists singing about their intense desire for a life lived without constraints, where love and freedom are inextricably linked. The production, with its cinematic quality, transports listeners into a world where anything is possible. The sweeping strings and ethereal synths build to a dramatic crescendo, creating a sense of tension and release that mirrors the emotional journey of the song. The collaboration between Lana and The Weeknd feels natural, with both artists playing off each other’s strengths to create a track that is both haunting and exhilarating. “Lust for Life” serves as a declaration of living in the moment, embracing both the beauty and the chaos that comes with passion. The song’s nostalgic yet modern sound encapsulates the themes of the Lust for Life album, capturing the heady rush of love and life in a way that only Lana and The Weeknd could. It quickly became one of the standout tracks of the album, embodying the spirit of the era and cementing its place as one of Lana’s most memorable songs.
10. “Doin’ Time” (2019)
In 2019, Lana Del Rey brought her unique flair to a cover of Sublime’s iconic “Doin’ Time,” reimagining the classic track with her signature dreamy, vintage twist. The song, originally a reggae-infused hit by Sublime, is transformed by Lana’s sultry vocals and atmospheric production, giving it a laid-back yet ethereal feel. Featured on her album Norman Fing Rockwell!*, the cover takes the original track’s summery vibe and adds a touch of Lana’s melancholic style, making it feel both timeless and contemporary. The production is lush yet minimalist, with a hypnotic beat that complements Lana’s sultry, emotive delivery. While the song’s original version is known for its carefree, upbeat tone, Lana’s rendition adds a layer of introspection, as her voice weaves through the song’s lyrics with a sense of longing and nostalgia. The track becomes less about carefree summer days and more about the complexities of love and yearning. Lana’s interpretation of “Doin’ Time” was widely praised for its originality and its ability to transform the song while maintaining the essence of the original. The cover became a fan favorite, with listeners appreciating the way Lana made the track her own, bringing her distinctive style to a beloved classic. “Doin’ Time” is a perfect example of Lana’s ability to take something familiar and infuse it with her own emotional depth and artistic vision. The result is a track that feels both fresh and nostalgic, a perfect fit for the Norman Fing Rockwell!* era.
Edward Tomlin is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
