"A&W" (also registered as "A & W", "A and W", and "And W",[2] and referred to as "American Whore", "Jimmy", and "AW") is a song by Lana Del Rey from her ninth studio album and eighth major-label studio album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. The song was released on February 14, 2023, as the second single from the album.
Background[]
According to Jack Antonoff's 2023 Mix with the Masters session, the song was recorded in two days. Antonoff also revealed that "Jimmy" part of the song was an outtake from Norman Fucking Rockwell!'s "club" concept, recorded in 2018–2019. Further ad libs and production were done to complete the song for its release on Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.[1]
On December 7, 2022, Jack Antonoff mentioned the song in an Instagram post as his favorite song he and Del Rey had ever done.[3]
On January 26, 2023, Del Rey posted on Instagram with the caption "A&W interscope team hair braiding sesh + jimmy and bo".[4]
In a now-deleted TikTok posted on February 24, 2023, Del Rey - while driving - sang a version of this song with an alternate verse.[5] This video also reveals the censored word in the third verse to be "cop", further confirming the song to be written about ex-boyfriend Sean Larkin.
In a January 2024 interview with Vogue, Del Rey remarked that she wrote "the 'Jimmy' part" of the song 13 years ago,[6] likely referencing "Earthquakes".
The official instrumental leaked on May 20, 2023.
Composition[]
The song is split into two sections: "American Whore" and "Jimmy". The first part's instrumental is played with raw, acoustic guitar, with "Jimmy" employing a trap beat. The whole song is composed in the key of A♯ major and at a tempo of approximately 162 beats per minute. It samples the title track of Del Rey's sixth studio album and fifth major-label studio album Norman Fucking Rockwell!.
Critical reception[]
The song ranked #456 on Rolling Stone's 2024 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.[7]
Accolades[]
The song was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Alternative Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Cross-references[]
- America is also mentioned in "American", "Arcadia", "California", "God Bless America - And All the Beautiful Women In It", "Looking for America" and "When the World Was at War We Kept Dancing", among several others.
- Being a princess is also mentioned in "Ultraviolence".
- Being high is also mentioned in "Carmen", "Florida Kilos", "High by the Beach" and "Hollywood", among several others.
- Del Rey's mother is also mentioned in "Aviation", "Black Bathing Suit", "Fingertips", "My Momma", "Old Money", "Raise Me Up (Mississippi South)", "Wildflower Wildfire", and in the poem "LA Who Am I to Love You".
- The line "Jimmy Jimmy cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy ride" is similar to "shimmy, shimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, roll" which appears in "Earthquakes".
- Jimmy or just known as Jim is referenced in a lot of Del Rey's songs, such as "Coca Cola", "Cult Leader", Jimmy Gnecco", "All Smiles" and "Hundred Dollar Bill", among several others.
- Del Rey also sings "doesn't really matter" in "57.5".
Official versions[]
- Album version — 7:13
- Instrumental version — 7:13
- Radio edit — 4:36
Lyrics[]
Album version[]
I haven't done a cartwheel since I was nine
I haven't seen my mother in a long, long time
I mean, look at me, look at the length of my hair, my face, the shape of my body
Do you really think I give a damn what I do after years of just hearing them talking?
I say I live in Rosemead, really, I'm at the Ramada
It doesn't really matter, doesn't really, really matter
Call him up, come into my bedroom
Ended up, we fuck on the hotel floor
It's not about having someone to love me anymore
This is the experience of bein' an American whore
Called up one friend, called up another
Forensic Files wasn't on
Watching Teenage Diary of a Girl
Wondering what went wrong
I'm a princess, I'm divisive
Ask me why, why I'm like this
Maybe I'm just kinda like this
I don't know, maybe I'm just like this
I say I live in Rosemead, really, I'm at the Ramada
It doesn't really matter, doesn't really, really matter
Call him up, he comes over again
Yeah, I know I'm over my head, but oh
It's not about having someone to love me anymore
No, this is the experience of bein' an American whore
I mean, look at my hair, look at the length of it and the shape of my body
If I told you that I was raped, do you really think that anybody would think I didn't ask for it, didn't ask for it?
Won't testify, I already fucked up my story
On top of this (Mmm), so many other things you can't believe
Did you know a singer can still be lookin' like a side piece at thirty-three?
Got a (Shh!) who turned on the back beat
Puts the shower on while he calls me
Slips out the back door to talk to me
I'm invisible, look how you hold me
I'm invisible, I'm invisible
I'm a ghost now, look how you hold me now
It's not about having someone to love me anymore (Oh, okay)
No, this is the experience of being an American whore
It's not about having someone to love me anymore
No, this is the experience of being an American whore
This is the experience of being an American whore
This is the experience of being an American whore
(This is the experience of bein' an American whore)
(This is the experience of bein' an American whore)
(This is the experience of bein' an American whore)
Ooh!
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy get me high (Oh, my God)
Love me if you love enough, you can be my light
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Your mom called, I told her you're fucking up big time
(Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo)
Your mom called, I told her you're fucking up big time
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy get me high
Love me if you love enough, you can be my light
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Your mom called, I told her you're fucking up big time
Jimmy, you should switch it up, maybe light it up
Jimmy, if you leave the house, find me in the club, like
Jimmy, if you switch it up, you should light it up
Jimmy, if you leave the house, find me in the club (Like, surf's up!)
Your mom called, I told her you're fucking up big time
But I don't care, baby, I already lost my mind, mind, mind
If you light it up, find me in the club (It's lit!)
Your mom called, I told her you're fucking up big time (Ah!)
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy get me high
Love me if you love enough, you can be my light
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Your mom called, I told her you're fucking up big time
Radio edit[]
I haven't done a cartwheel since I was nine
I haven't seen my mother in a long, long time
I mean, look at me, look at the length of my hair, my face, the shape of my body
Do you really think I give a damn what I do after years of just hearing them talking?
I say I live in Rosemead, really, I'm at the Ramada
It doesn't really matter, doesn't really, really matter
Call him up, come into my bedroom
Ended up, we - on the hotel floor
It's not about having someone to love me anymore
This is the experience of bein' an American -
Called up one friend, called up another
Forensic Files wasn't on
Watching Teenage Diary of a Girl
Wondering what went wrong
I'm a princess, I'm divisive
Ask me why, why I'm like this
Maybe I'm just kinda like this
I don't know, maybe I'm just like this
I say I live in Rosemead, really, I'm at the Ramada
It doesn't really matter, doesn't really, really matter
Call him up, he comes over again
Yeah, I know I'm over my head, but oh
It's not about having someone to love me anymore
No, this is the experience of bein' an American -
(This is the experience of bein' an American -)
(This is the experience of bein' an American -)
(This is the experience of bein' an American -)
Ooh!
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy get me high (Oh, my God)
Love me if you love enough, you can be my light
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Your mom called, I told her you're - up big time
(Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo)
Your mom called, I told her you're - up big time
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy get me high
Love me if you love enough, you can be my light
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Your mom called, I told her you're - up big time
Jimmy, you should switch it up, maybe light it up
Jimmy, if you leave the house, find me in the club, like
Jimmy, if you switch it up, you should light it up
Jimmy, if you leave the house, find me in the club (Like, surf's up!)
Your mom called, I told her you're - up big time
But I don't care, baby, I already lost my mind, mind, mind
If you light it up, find me in the club (It's lit!)
Your mom called, I told her you're - up big time (Ah!)
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride
Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy get me high
Love me if you love enough, you can be my light
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Jimmy only love me when he wanna get high
Your mom called, I told her you're - up big time
Alternate verse version[]
Got a cop who turned on the back beat
Puts the shower on while he calls me
Slips out the back door to talk to me
Like I'm invisible, you should've told me
Did you really think I'd spare her tears just to save
Your happiness when I had no idea you were engaged?
After all of those years
Did you think I'd spare their tears to save my face?
You must not've known who you were dealing with
Commercial performance[]
Charts[]
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] | 84 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[9] | 129 |
| Greece International (IFPI Greece)[10] | 19 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40)[11] | 39 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[12] | 37 |
| Lithuania (AGATA)[13] | 27 |
| Netherlands (Single Tip)[14] | 26 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] | 16 |
| Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[16] | 91 |
| Portugal (AFP)[17] | 160 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[18] | 93 |
| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[19] | 6 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[20] | 41 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[21] | 5 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[22] | 10 |
Credits[]
Personnel
- Lana Del Rey — songwriting, production, vocals, background vocals, glockenspiel
- Jack Antonoff — songwriting, production, drums, acoustic guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, bells, piano, synth bass, synth pads, moog bass, mellotron, programming, mixing
- Sam Dew — songwriting, background vocals
- Laura Sisk – engineering, mixing
- Jon Sher – engineering assistance
- Megan Searl – engineering assistance
- Rémy Dumelz – engineering assistance
- Daniel Cayotte – engineering assistance
- Ruairi O'Flaherty — mastering
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Antonoff, Jack (August 2, 2023). "A&W - Lana Del Rey". Mixing with the Masters. https://mixwiththemasters.com/videos/jack-antonoff-lana-del-rey-a-w. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ↑ ASCAP Work ID: 920011068
- ↑ Antonoff, Jack (December 7, 2022). "did you know that there’s a tunnel under ocean blvd...". Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl4T3avpCuH/. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ↑ Del Rey, Lana (January 26, 2023). "A&W interscope team hair braiding sesh + jimmy and bo". Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn5rQwWrmgV6Bi40ge0GRWY5yU7eD03G3dvoRc0/. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ↑ k (February 24, 2023). "📱| On the Familyheirlooms TikTok account, Lana Del Rey posted a new video singing what seems to be an alternate version of A&W.". Twitter. https://x.com/whitepontiac/status/1629059843066667008?s=46&t=PC_JqthBNIYi6ibjaT6EsQ. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ↑ Allaire, Christian (January 18, 2024). "Lana Del Rey Talks Headlining Coachella, Her Grammys Noms, and Why She Loves Valentine’s Day". YouTube. https://www.vogue.com/article/lana-del-rey-skims-campaign-grammys-coachella. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
- ↑ Rolling Stone (February 16, 2024). "500 Best Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
- ↑ "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ↑ "IFPI Charts". https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ↑ "2023 8-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in lt). AGATA. February 24, 2023. https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s8/. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ↑ "Dutch Single Tip 25/02/2023" (in nl). https://dutchcharts.nl/weekchart.asp?cat=st&year=2023&date=20230225. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 20, 2023. https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5506. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (in pl) (Select week 17.02.2023–23.02.2023.). OLiS. https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-sprzedazy/single-w-streamie. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Lana del Rey – A&W". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202313 into search. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 8". Sverigetopplistan. https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2023&dspp=8. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ↑ "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
