Lana Del Rey has solidified her position as one of the most influential artists in contemporary music, captivating audiences worldwide with her haunting melodies and cinematic storytelling. Her distinctive sound blends vintage Americana with modern pop sensibilities, creating a unique sonic landscape that has defined a generation. From her breakthrough hit “Video Games” to her latest releases, Del Rey’s catalog represents some of the best songs in modern alternative pop music.
This carefully curated list of the 20 best Lana Del Rey songs showcases the evolution of an artist who has consistently pushed creative boundaries while maintaining her signature aesthetic. Each track demonstrates her ability to craft deeply emotional narratives that resonate with listeners across different demographics and musical preferences. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering her music for the first time, these songs represent the essential Lana Del Rey experience that has made her a global phenomenon.
Video Games
“Video Games” marked Lana Del Rey’s emergence as a major force in the music industry and remains one of her most beloved compositions. The track’s melancholic piano melody perfectly complements Del Rey’s breathy vocals, creating an atmosphere of nostalgic longing that became her trademark sound. This song established the template for her artistic identity, combining vintage Hollywood glamour with contemporary emotional vulnerability in a way that felt both familiar and revolutionary.
Born to Die
The title track from her major-label debut album showcases Del Rey’s ability to blend orchestral grandeur with intimate storytelling. “Born to Die” features lush string arrangements that elevate the song’s themes of doomed romance and existential contemplation to epic proportions. The track demonstrates her skill at crafting songs that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable, establishing her as a master of emotional landscape painting through music.
West Coast
“West Coast” represents a perfect synthesis of Del Rey’s vintage aesthetic with modern production techniques, creating one of her most sonically adventurous tracks. The song’s surf-rock influences and psychedelic undertones showcase her willingness to experiment while maintaining her core artistic identity. Its dreamy atmosphere and evocative lyrics about California culture have made it a fan favorite and a staple of her live performances.
Young and Beautiful
Originally written for “The Great Gatsby” soundtrack, “Young and Beautiful” captures Del Rey’s ability to create music that perfectly complements visual storytelling. The song’s orchestral arrangement and vulnerable vocal delivery create a sense of timeless elegance that mirrors the film’s themes of beauty and mortality. This track demonstrates her talent for writing songs that transcend their original context to become standalone masterpieces.
Summertime Sadness
“Summertime Sadness” became one of Del Rey’s most commercially successful songs, particularly after its remix by Cedric Gervais introduced her music to mainstream radio audiences. The original version’s melancholic beauty contrasts sharply with summer’s typical associations with joy and freedom, creating a compelling emotional paradox. This song exemplifies her ability to find beauty in sadness and transform personal pain into universal art.
National Anthem
“National Anthem” showcases Del Rey’s fascination with American imagery and her ability to critique and celebrate simultaneously. The track’s hip-hop influenced production and references to money, power, and fame create a complex commentary on American culture. Her performance as both Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe in the music video reinforces the song’s themes of duality and the American dream’s complexity.
Blue Jeans
“Blue Jeans” demonstrates Del Rey’s mastery of the classic American love song format while infusing it with her contemporary sensibility. The track’s simple yet effective production allows her vocals to take center stage, creating an intimate atmosphere that draws listeners into its narrative. Its references to denim and working-class romance connect to broader themes of Americana that run throughout her work.
Ride
“Ride” stands as one of Del Rey’s most epic and cinematic compositions, featuring sweeping orchestrations and some of her most powerful vocal performances. The song’s themes of freedom, adventure, and self-discovery resonate with listeners seeking escape and transformation. Its accompanying short film further enhanced the track’s impact, showcasing Del Rey’s vision as a complete artist capable of creating multimedia experiences.
Cola
“Cola” represents one of Del Rey’s most provocative and controversial songs, featuring explicit lyrics that sparked significant debate upon release. The track’s minimalist production allows its controversial content to take center stage while maintaining the dreamy aesthetic that defines her work. Despite its polarizing nature, the song demonstrates her willingness to push boundaries and address adult themes with unflinching honesty.
Venice Bitch
At over nine minutes long, “Venice Bitch” showcases Del Rey’s evolution toward more experimental and expansive songwriting approaches. The track’s psychedelic guitar work and extended instrumental sections create a hypnotic listening experience that rewards patient attention. This song demonstrates her growing confidence as an artist willing to challenge conventional song structures and create immersive sonic journeys for her audience.
Mariners Apartment Complex
“Mariners Apartment Complex” marked a significant shift in Del Rey’s songwriting, featuring more direct and confessional lyrics than much of her earlier work. The track’s piano-driven arrangement provides a simple backdrop for some of her most emotionally honest vocal performances. This song represents her growth as both a songwriter and a person, showcasing increased self-awareness and emotional maturity.
Norman Fucking Rockwell
The title track from her critically acclaimed album demonstrates Del Rey’s ability to blend cultural commentary with personal storytelling. The song’s references to the iconic American painter create layers of meaning about authenticity, art, and American identity. Its laid-back production and conversational vocal style show her continued evolution as an artist comfortable with subtlety and nuance.
Ocean Eyes
“Ocean Eyes” showcases Del Rey’s ability to create atmospheric ballads that transport listeners to specific emotional states. The track’s oceanic imagery and flowing melodies create a sense of vast emotional space that perfectly complements its themes of love and loss. This song demonstrates her consistent ability to use natural imagery as a vehicle for exploring complex human emotions and relationships.
White Mustang
“White Mustang” combines Del Rey’s love of vintage Americana with contemporary production techniques to create one of her most driving and energetic tracks. The song’s automotive imagery connects to broader themes of freedom and escape that recur throughout her catalog. Its upbeat tempo and catchy melody show her ability to create songs that work both as deep artistic statements and accessible pop music.
Chemtrails Over the Country Club
This recent release demonstrates Del Rey’s continued evolution as a songwriter, featuring more stripped-down production and introspective lyrics. The track’s folk influences and acoustic guitar work represent a departure from her more orchestral earlier material while maintaining her distinctive vocal style. The song’s themes of friendship, growth, and change show her ability to find new creative directions while staying true to her artistic core.
Blue Banisters
“Blue Banisters” showcases Del Rey’s recent embrace of more personal and autobiographical songwriting approaches. The track’s intimate production and confessional lyrics create a sense of direct communication between artist and listener that feels particularly powerful. This song demonstrates her continued growth as both a person and an artist, willing to share increasingly personal aspects of her life through her music.
Arcadia
“Arcadia” represents Del Rey’s exploration of pastoral themes and her connection to natural environments as sources of inspiration and healing. The track’s gentle acoustic arrangement and peaceful imagery create a sense of sanctuary that contrasts with the urban settings of much of her earlier work. This song shows her continued evolution as an artist capable of finding beauty and meaning in diverse settings and experiences.
Dealer
“Dealer” showcases Del Rey’s recent collaboration with other artists and her willingness to explore heavier musical territory. The track’s rock influences and more aggressive production demonstrate her versatility as a performer capable of adapting to different musical contexts. This song represents her continued willingness to experiment and push creative boundaries while maintaining her distinctive artistic voice.
Text Book
“Text Book” demonstrates Del Rey’s ability to transform academic or intellectual concepts into emotionally resonant music. The track’s literary references and complex emotional themes show her growth as a songwriter capable of handling increasingly sophisticated material. This song represents her continued evolution as an artist interested in exploring the intersection between art, literature, and personal experience.
A&W
One of Del Rey’s most recent and ambitious compositions, “A&W” showcases her continued willingness to experiment with song structure and thematic content. The track’s extended length and multiple sections create a narrative arc that feels more like a short story than a traditional song. This recent release demonstrates that even after more than a decade in the music industry, Del Rey continues to find new ways to challenge herself and surprise her audience with innovative approaches to songwriting and production.
Our exploration of songs wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging Del Rey’s influence on contemporary music. Her impact extends beyond individual tracks to influence entire bands and artists who have adopted elements of her aesthetic and approach. For those interested in learning more about music creation, our guides section offers valuable insights into the techniques and approaches used by artists like Del Rey.
What makes Lana Del Rey’s songwriting style unique?
Lana Del Rey’s songwriting combines vintage Americana aesthetics with contemporary emotional vulnerability, creating a distinctive sound that blends nostalgia with modern sensibilities. Her use of cinematic imagery, literary references, and personal storytelling creates songs that feel both timeless and current. The combination of her breathy vocal style with orchestral arrangements and hip-hop influenced production creates a unique sonic signature that has influenced countless other artists.
Which Lana Del Rey album is considered her best?
“Norman Fucking Rockwell!” is widely considered Del Rey’s artistic peak, receiving universal critical acclaim and showcasing her growth as a songwriter and artist. The album demonstrates her ability to balance accessibility with artistic ambition while maintaining her distinctive aesthetic. However, “Born to Die” remains her most commercially successful and culturally influential release, introducing her sound to a global audience.
How has Lana Del Rey’s music evolved over the years?
Del Rey’s music has evolved from the orchestral, cinematic sound of her early work toward more intimate, folk-influenced arrangements in her recent releases. Her lyrics have become more personal and confessional, moving away from the character-based narratives of her earlier songs. The production has generally become more stripped-down and organic, though she continues to experiment with different sounds and approaches.
What themes does Lana Del Rey explore in her music?
Del Rey’s music frequently explores themes of American identity, doomed romance, fame, and the relationship between beauty and sadness. Her songs often feature imagery from vintage Hollywood, classic Americana, and contemporary culture, creating a unique blend of past and present. Mental health, relationships, and personal growth have become increasingly prominent themes in her more recent work, showing her evolution as both an artist and a person.