Video Games (song)

Lana Del Rey

Writer(s)

Lana Del Rey
Justin Parker

Producer(s)

Robopop

Alternate producer(s)

Justin Parker

Recorded

July 17, 2010 (demo)
February 2011 (album version)

Released

October 7, 2011

Length

4:42
(see official versions)

From

Single(s)

“Video Games“
“Born to Die”
“Blue Jeans”
“Summertime Sadness”
“National Anthem”
“Dark Paradise”

Promotional single(s)

“Off to the Races”
“Carmen”
Singles chronology

“Video Games”

“Born to Die”

Born to Die track listing

“Blue Jeans”
“Diet Mountain Dew”

“Video Games” is a song written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker and produced by Robopop in 2011. Taken from Del Rey’s first major-label album Born to Die, the song served as the album’s first and lead single worldwide and is credited for the launch of Del Rey’s international success. The song was officially released as a single on October 7, 2011, as her debut single.

Writing and inspiration

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The song was written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker in the same sessions as “Blue Jeans” during the summer of 2010. It was written about how Del Rey watched her then-boyfriend play video games. In an interview for British online magazine The Quietus, Del Rey stated that the inspiration for the song came from her ex-boyfriend, commenting, “I think we came together because we were both outsiders. It was perfect. But I think with that contentment also comes sadness. There was something heavenly about that life – we’d go to work and he’d play his video games – but also it was maybe too regular.[1] “She has stated that it is a statement about her putting her musical career on hold for him. When creating the song, Del Rey had no plans for it to be released as a single, as she assumed it would struggle to gain traction.

Josh Kemp, one of Del Rey’s supposed ex-boyfriends is said to have the been the inspiration behind the song as rumored for years. He seemingly alluded to the fact that it was his obsession with World of Warcraft that led to the writing of the song. On Instagram he shared a live recording of Del Rey performing the track and commented, “When your World of Warcraft addiction turns from self deprecating, anti-social depression into iconic and legendary… embrace your darkness…you never know who’s watching.”[2] Del Rey has also mentioned that all the men in her life have been consumed by World of Warcraft in a 2012 interview with MTV Buzzworthy.[3]

About the songwriting, Del Rey on 2011 told Dazed Digital:

“The verse was about the way things were with one person, and the chorus was the way that I wished things had really been with another person, who I thought about for a long time. That was what happened, you know? He’d come home and I’d see him. But then the chorus wasn’t like that. That was the way that I wished it was – the melody sounds so compelling and heavenly because I wanted it to be that way. The verse is more matter-of-fact because that’s how it was. It’s a mix of memories and the way I wished it could have been”.

Composition

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Musically, “Video Games” is an down-tempo ballad song with highly orchestrated instrumentation. It is composed in the key of F♯ minor, and is in common time with a tempo of around 60 beats per minute. Instrumentally, the song features pizzicato strings, swathing strings, harps, and violins. The song lacks any major percussion instruments, but does feature minor thumping in the latter half. Del Rey’s vocals range from E3 to A4, and the song showcases her using a lower vocal range than she had used previously. The crescendos, as well as feathery backing vocals create a subdued and haunting atmosphere that was praised by critics. Both official (wet one) and dry (with unaltered vocals) a cappellas were leaked on July 30, 2018.

Critical reception

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“Video Games” was met with critical acclaim from music critics. Following the release of the single, Ian Cohen dubbed the song “Best New Music” on Pitchfork Mediacommenting, “on her stirring debut single, New York singer-songwriter Lizzy Grant transforms into the more bombastically named Lana Del Rey and absolutely wallows in it.”[4] Digital Spy writer Robert Copsey noted Del Rey “combines a near-identical [Nancy Sinatra] vocal with her own fascination for the tragically glamorous — or ‘Hollywood sadcore’ as she succinctly labels it.”[5] Lewis Corner, also of Digital Spy, said, “New York-born, London-based Lana Del Rey is currently working on her debut album, but if this newly released preview track/video is anything to go by, it’s going to be avant-garde pop at its very best.”[6] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian considered “Video Games” the best song of 2011 and added, “it’s tempting to say with a song that good it doesn’t matter who sings it, but that’s not strictly true. As pop divas who collaborate with Eg White go, Lana Del Rey sounds hugely understated.”[7]

In a poll performed by NME, readers ranked it as the tenth best song of the year.[8] Maura Johnston of The Village Voice, however, called the song and the accompanying music video overproduced,[9] while New York magazine contributor Amanda Dobbis commented that “it’s hard to totally separate Del Rey’s looks from the criticism that’s been bubbling around her.”[10] In responses to this controversy, Paste ’​s Luke Larson said, “when ‘Video Games’ first hit the web, people weren’t freaking out about Lana Del Rey or fake lips or Lizzy Grant. People were freaking out because they had stumbled upon a fresh voice and a beautifully written song and ultimately, does the rest really matter?”[11] Krystina Nellis of Drowned in Sound said the single reminded her of something from a David Lynch movie.[12]

The Village Voice ’​s Pazz & Jop annual critics’ poll ranked “Video Games” at number seven to find the best music of 2011, tied with Britney Spears’s “Till the World Ends”. The British magazine NME named “Video Games” the best single of 2011. In 2018, “Video Games” was listed as #13 on National Public Radio’s ‘200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women’ list.[13] Pitchfork placed “Video Games” at #9 on their ‘200 Best Songs of the 2010s’ list in 2019.[14] “Video Games” also won ‘Song of the Decade’ award at the 2019 Q Awards.

Use in media

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The song was used in an episode of the CW show, Ringer, “If You Ever Want a French Lesson…”. It is often highlighted as a proponent to the launch of Del Rey’s career.

A remixed version of the song in the 666 Park Avenue episode “The Dead Don’t Stay Dead.”

The song was used in the TV show Gossip Girl episode “I Am Number Nine” (Season 5, Episode 6).

The song was sang by Neil Patrick Harris, Snoop Dogg, Samuel L. Jackson, and Zachary Levi in a commercial for Spike’s Video Game Awards.[15]

On June 26, 2022, an instrumental cover version of the song was released by composer Ramin Djawadi for the HBO’s “Westworld” fourth season.[16]

Music video

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Music video

Information

Released

August 19, 2011 & October 16, 2011

Length

4:46

Director
Lana Del Rey
Producer

Lana Del Rey

Filmed

February, 2011

Location

Unknown

Vevo views

276+ Million views

Music video

Information

Released

July, 2011

Length

4:52

Director
Lana Del Rey
Producer

Lana Del Rey

Filmed

February, 2011

Location

Unknown

Vevo views

N/A

Music video

Information

Released

July, 2011

Length

4:52

Director
Lana Del Rey
Producer

Lana Del Rey

Filmed

February, 2011

Location

Unknown

Vevo views

N/A

Background

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]

After recording videos for the tracks from Lana Del Ray in the same style, Del Rey continued by recording this one and interlacing clips of her with old films, cartoons, paparazzi footage, and nature clips to create the video. The first two original videos, released in July 2011, were removed and reformatted using some new clips once Del Rey was signed to Stranger, due to copyright issues. Del Rey uploaded the video on her personal YouTube channel on August 19, 2011, and it was uploaded on her Vevo channel on October 16, 2011.

Description

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The video shows Del Rey, with her hair in a similar style to that of Jackie Kennedy, wearing a white top and a yellow & black shirt, and shows her with various colorizations added to her shots. The clips in the video show San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, amongst others, as well as specific shots of the Chateau Marmont and various billboards around L.A. A prominent scene featured throughout the video is that of an intoxicated Paz De La Huerta, an actress, stumbling. Many scenes of a man and woman on a moped, dancing, kissing, and jumping in a pool are a main focus of the video. The original video also included many shots of cartoons and orchestras, but these were removed in the final edition.

Cross-references

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Official versions

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• Album version — 4:42
  • Instrumental version — 4:45
  • A cappella version — 4:45
  • Dry a cappella version — 4:26
• Remastered version — 4:41
• Unmastered version — 4:06
• Radio edit — 4:01
• Demo version — 3:55
• Music video version — 4:46
• Unmastered demo version — 4:32
• DJ version — 5:12[17]
• Paradise Tour version — 4:41

Lyrics

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Album version

[

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Swinging in the backyard
Pull up in your fast car
Whistling my name
Open up a beer
And you say, “Get over here
And play a video game”

I’m in his favorite sundress
Watching me get undressed
Take that body downtown
I say, “You the best-est”
Lean in for a big kiss
Put his favorite perfume on

Go play a video game

It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It’s better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do, hmm

Singing in the old bars
Swinging with the old stars
Living for the fame
Kissing in the blue dark
Playing pool and wild darts
Video games

He holds me in his big arms
Drunk and I am seeing stars
This is all I think of
Watching all our friends fall
In and out of Old Paul’s
This is my idea of fun
Playing video games

It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It’s better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)

It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls honey
Is that true?
It’s better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do, hmm

(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)

Radio edit

[

]

Swinging in the backyard
Pull up in your fast car
Whistling my name
Open up a beer
And you say, “Get over here
And play a video game”

I’m in his favorite sundress
Watching me get undressed
Take that body downtown
I say, “You the best-est”
Lean in for a big kiss
Put his favorite perfume on

Go play a video game

It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls honey
Is that true?
It’s better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

Singing in the old bars
Swinging with the old stars
Living for the fame
Kissing in the blue dark
Playing pool and wild darts
And video games

He holds me in his big arms
Drunk and I am seeing stars
This is all I think of
Watching all our friends fall
In and out of Old Paul’s
This is my idea of fun
Playing video games

It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls honey
Is that true?
It’s better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)

It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)

Demo version

[

]

Swinging in the backyard
Pull up in your fast car
Whistling my name
You open up a beer
And you say, “Get over here
And play my video game”

I’m in his favorite sundress
Watching me get all dressed
We gonna go downtown
I say, “You’re the best, best”
Lean in for a big kiss
Put his favorite perfume on

Go play your video game

It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It’s better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
And baby, now you do, mmm

Singing in the old bars
Swinging with the old stars
Living for the fame
Kissing in the blue dark
Playing pool and wild darts
Video games

He holds me in his big arms
Drunk and I am seeing stars
This is all I think of
Watching all our friends fall
In and out of Old Paul’s
This is my idea of fun
Playing video games

It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It’s better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
And baby, now you do

It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It’s better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
And baby, now you do

Commercial release

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Physical releases

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United Kingdom (2783433)

(45RPM)

Label: Stranger
Format: 7″ picture disc vinyl in plastic sleeve
Released: 2011
Barcode: 00602527834337
Photography: Nicole Nodland
Design: Unknown

#
Name
Time

1.
“Video Games” (Radio Edit)
4:01

2.
“Blue Jeans”  
3:31

Gagapedia

United States (INTR-12733-2)

Label: Stranger
Format: CD in jewel case
Released: 2011
Barcode: 602527893242
Photography: Nicole Nodland
Design: Unknown

#
Name
Time

1.
“Video Games” (Radio Edit)
4:01

2.
“Blue Jeans”  
3:31

Gagapedia

United States (INTR-12736-7)

(45RPM)

Label: Polydor, Interscope
Format: 7″ vinyl in cardsleeve
Released: TBA
Barcode: TBA
Photography: Nicole Nodland
Design: Unknown

#
Name
Time

1.
“Video Games” (Joy Orbison Remix)
5:01

2.
“Blue Jeans” (Odd Future’s The Internet Remix)
4:00

Gagapedia

Digital releases

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Video Games Remixes – EP

Label: Polydor, Interscope
Format: Digital download
Released: February 28, 2012
Barcode: None
Photography: Nicole Nodland
Design: Unknown

#
Name
Time

1.
“Video Games” (Club Clique for The Bad Girls Remix)
4:57

2.
“Video Games” (Jakwob and Etherwood Remix)
3:42

3.
“Video Games” (White Lies C-Mix)
7:32

4.
“Video Games” (Jamie Woon Remix)
5:14

5.
“Video Games” (We Don’t Belong In Pacha Remix)
5:19

Gagapedia

• Adrian Lux & Blende Remix — 6:03[18]
• Adrian Lux & Blende Remix Radio Edit — 2:42[19]
• Bassflow Remake — 3:53[20]
• Club Clique For The Bad Girls Remix — 5:00
• Helium Robots Remix — 4:52
• Jakwob & Etherwood Remix — 3:43
• Jamie Woon Remix — 5:14
• Joy Orbison Remix — 5:01
• Larry “Mr. Fingers” Heard Remix — 9:01
• Larry “Mr. Fingers” Heard Edit — 9:00
• Omid 16B Remix — 5:14
• Omid 16B Radio Edit — 4:07
• Omid 16B Instrumental Mix — 5:08
• Omid 16B Instrumental Reprise — 2:35
• Rainer Weichhold & Nick Olivetti Clubmix — 7:42
• We Don’t Belong In Pancha Remix — 5:20
• White Lies C-Mix — 7:34

Promotional releases

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Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Vertigo in Germany, Switzerland & Austria

[

]

Front cover

Back cover

CD

Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Interscope Records in US

[

]

Back cover

CD

Video Games – The Remix EP CD by Vertigo in Germany, Switzerland & Austria

[

]

Front cover

Back cover

CD

Video Games / Blue Jeans 7″ Vinyl (part of The Singles compilation) by Interscope Records and Polydor in France

[

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Front cover

Back cover

Side A

Side B

Video Games / Blue Jeans Remix 7″ Vinyl by Interscope Records in USA

[

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Front cover

Back cover

Side A

Side B

Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Stranger Records in Europe

[

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CD

Video Games – The Remix EP 12″ Vinyl by Vertigo in Germany

[

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Front cover

Vinyl

Side A

Side B

Video Games / Blue Jeans (Omid 16B Remixes) 12″ Vinyl by Alola in UK

[

]

Front cover

Back cover

Side A

Side B

Video Games / Blue Jeans Picture 7″ Vinyl by Stranger Records in UK, Europe & US

[

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Side A

Side B

Video Games CD by Interscope Records in US

[

]

Front cover

CD

Video Games CD in Card Sleeve by Stranger Records in UK

[

]

Front cover

Back cover

CD

Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Polydor and Interscope Records in France

[

]

Back cover

CD

Video Games CD by Stranger Records in Netherlands

[

]

Back cover

CD

Video Games – Remixes CD by Stranger Records in UK

[

]

Back cover

CD

Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Universal Music Group in Finland

[

]

CD

Video Games CD Sampler by Stranger Records in UK

[

]

Front cover

Back cover

CD

Credits

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Personnel

• Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
• Justin Parker — songwriting
• Robopop — production, mixing
• John Davis — mastering

Technical

• Published by EMI / Sony ATV (ASCAP)
• Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Chart (2011–12)

Peak
position

Australia (ARIA)

23

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)

2

Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)

2

Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)

2

Brazil (Billboard Hot 100)

2

Brazil (Billboard Hot Pop Songs)

3

Canada (Canadian Hot 100)

72

Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)

3

Denmark (Tracklisten)

18

Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)

14

France (SNEP)

2

Germany (Official German Charts)

1

Ireland (IRMA)

6

Italy (FIMI)

27

Luxembourg Digital Songs

1

Japan (Japan Hot 100)

21

Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)

11

Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)

5

Portugal Digital Songs

5

Scotland (Official Charts Company)

10

Scotland (Official Charts Company)

10

Spain (PROMUSICAE)

33

Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)

56

Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)

2

UK Singles (Official Charts Company)

9

UK Indie (Official Charts Company)

1

US Billboard Hot 100

91

US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)

15

Year-end charts

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Chart (2011)

Position

Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)

40

France (SNEP)

60

Germany (Media Control Charts)

19

Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)

32

Chart (2012)

Position

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)

27

Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)

15

Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)

16

France (SNEP)

7

Germany (Media Control AG)

33

Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)

23

UK Singles (Official Charts Company)

87

All-time charts

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Chart

Position

IFrance (SNEP)

38

Certifications

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Region

Certification

Sales/shipments

Australia (ARIA)

Platinum

70,000^

Austria (IFPI Austria)

Platinum

30,000*

Belgium (BEA)

Platinum

30,000*

Canada (Music Canada)

Gold

40,000^

France (SNEP)

Platinum

150,000*

Germany (BVMI)

3× Gold

450,000^

Italy (FIMI)

Gold

15,000*

Italy (FIMI)

Gold

25,000*

Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)

3× Platinum

60,000^

United Kingdom (BPI)

Platinum

600,000x

United States (RIAA)

Gold

500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

References

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