"Diet Mountain Dew" (originally titled "Diet Mtn Dew" and "Diet Mt. Dew Baby") is a song written by Lana Del Rey and Mike Daly and produced by Emile Haynie and Jeff Bhasker. It was released on Del Rey's first major-label studio album, Born to Die.
Background[]
On April 28, 2009, Del Rey tweeted, "Mike Daly is Really fucking good. Diet Mt. Dew Baby".[1] Two days later, she tweeted lyrics from the track and stated that she "loves" [her] new song.[2]
On May 19, 2010, Del Rey uploaded the third demo of the song to her now-defunct SoundCloud profile,[3] and on June 13, 2011, she uploaded the second demo to her personal YouTube channel.
Del Rey detailed the background of the song and its writing process in a September 2011 interview with online music magazine I Like Music:[4]
- "Diet Mtn Dew I wrote at a time when I was really happy. I'd met someone who was perfect for me, and one of the funny things at the time was that he actually drank Diet Mtn Dew, just like me and my dad. I had never met anyone who drank specifically Diet Mtn Dew! We had taken a trip to Greenwich, Connecticut, and it was time to go home and he said 'Diet Mtn Dew babe? New York City?' For some reason I just... That was the only line I had: 'Diet Mtn Dew baby, New York City...', Then he was like 'you're so pretty' as I smiled. For like two years I only had that line, and it wasn't until I decided to put it into production that I fleshed out the verse. The verse could have been anything, but the chorus I had for a long time. There's usually only about one fourth of the song that compels me; something that hit home in my life. The rest of it I just make up around it."
The instrumental of the song leaked on March 31, 2015. Two snippets of a 2008 a cappella demo titled "Diet Mt. Dew Baby", recorded under the pseudonym Lana Rey, leaked on May 11 and August 15, 2016. A third snippet leaked on February 3, 2021, before leaking in full on April 1. The original file of this demo leaked two days later. The original file of the second demo, labeled as "Diet Mtn Dew Ruff 1", leaked on July 5, 2017, and according to its metadata, was produced by Daly in 2009. This demo is registered to Harry Fox Agency's Songfile[5] and is still available on Del Rey's YouTube. The first demo version, produced by Crispin Hunt, shares its instrumental with "Gorgeous $100". A 5-minute demo of the song is also rumored to exist.[S 1]
Composition[]
The song is in B♭ minor with a tempo of 88 BPM. The track features motif of a rising, then falling, scale on the piano accompanied with soaring strings and hip-hop beats that are typical of the other tracks on the album. The track is generally upbeat, and lyrically the song centers on Del Rey asking a man whether or not they will "be in love forever".
Critical reception[]
In May 2010, music blog sites began posting reviews of the third demo of the song alongside speculation around Del Rey's upcoming album.[citation needed] The track was met with generally positive reviews.
Live performances[]
The first known performance of the song was at the Highline Ballroom in New York City for the M.E.A.N.Y. Fest on January 22, 2010. Footage of the performance is not available online. New York rapper Kalae "All Day" Nouveau worked with Del Rey to incorporate a rap verse into a live performance of the song, along with "Hundred Dollar Bill". Nouveau said to a fan in 2023 that she may recall also having had a studio session with Del Rey, but couldn't clearly remember.[6]
Del Rey performed the song live for the second known time on November 30, 2011, at the Mod Club in Toronto, Canada, as an encore. Before performing the song, Del Rey shushed the crowd and said: "...I fucking hate encores, but listen...I've really never done this song live, but...my set's so fucking short, I wanna like, make it longer, so we're just gonna try it. If you judge me, I'll kill you."[7]
Del Rey then didn't perform the song live for six years until her Lust for Life Promotional Tour in October 2017, when she performed it at her shows at Terminal 5 in New York City and at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in Los Angeles. In 2018, Del Rey performed the song at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey during a January 19 stop on the LA to the Moon Tour. It would be another six years until Del Rey performed the song again, when she added it to the set list of the Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd Promotional Tour.
Use in media[]
On November 1, 2010, the third demo of the song was used in the TV series 90210 in the episode "I See London, I See France...".
Music videos[]
| Music video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Released | N/A |
| Length | 4:16 | |
| Director | Lana Del Rey | |
| Producer | ||
| Filmed | 2009–2010 | |
| Location | Unknown | |
| Vevo views | N/A | |
| Music video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Released | N/A |
| Length | 4:19 | |
| Director | Lana Del Rey | |
| Producer | ||
| Filmed | 2009–2010 | |
| Location | Unknown | |
| Vevo views | N/A | |
| Music video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Released | N/A |
| Length | 3:44 | |
| Director | Lana Del Rey | |
| Producer | ||
| Filmed | 2010 | |
| Location | Unknown | |
| Vevo views | N/A | |
Background and description[]
Before the release of Born to Die, Del Rey created a homemade music video for both the second and third demo versions of the song, similar to the style of her other homemade music videos. They feature shots of Del Rey herself and clips she gathered from miscellaneous films and videos. On July 5, 2017, an alternate edit of the first version of the video leaked with no audio. It is otherwise the same as the first version with the exception of certain shots being cut differently, and clips that were originally in black and white now being in color.
Cross-references[]
- The song's chorus originated from Del Rey's "Beach Boys".
- Being high/drug use similarly appears in "Try Tonight", "Boarding School", and "You & Me", among other songs.
- Roller coasters are mentioned in "Last Girl on Earth", "Hundred Dollar Bill", "Butterflies Pt. 2", "Breaking My Heart", "Betty Boop Boop", "Hawaiian Tropic", and "Coconut and Key Lime Pie".
- Direct references to "White Pontiac Heaven" and "Ride".
- The third demo version references "dope and diamonds", a phrase used in "Money Power Glory".
- "Hit me and tell me you're mine" is a variation of "he hit me and it felt like a kiss", present in "Ultraviolence" and "Beautiful Player". This phrase is also similar to "He Hits Me Because He Loves Me".
- The word "divine" is also used in "Summer of Sam", "Old Money", and "Guns and Roses", among others.
- Jesus is also directly mentioned in "Trash Magic", "I Talk to Jesus", "Body Electric", and "57.5", and was a main character in Del Rey's short film, Tropico.
- The lyric "you're no good for me" references "everybody's sayin' that you're not good for me" from "Back to tha Basics".
- Del Rey also repeatedly sings "I want you" in "Caught You Boy".
- Heart-shaped sunglasses are mentioned in "Every Man Gets His Wish".
- "We both know" is later used in "Honeymoon" and "If You Lie Down with Me".
- Del Rey similarly pleads "give me them" in "Off to the Races".
- 7-Eleven is also mentioned in "Motel 6".
- References to Pontiac cars are found in "Axl Rose Husband", "1949", and "Motel 6".
- New York City is also mentioned in "Old Money", "How to Disappear", "The Greatest", and in the poem "LA Who Am I to Love You", among many other songs.
Official versions[]
- Album version – 3:42
- Instrumental version – 3:41
- "Diet Mt. Dew Baby" a cappella concept demo – 1:04
- Demo version 1 (produced by Crispin Hunt) – 3:45
- "Diet Mtn Dew" demo version 2 (produced by Mike Daly) – 4:30
- Demo version 3 (produced by The Flight) – 3:39
Lyrics[]
Album version[]
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want you
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Baby, put on heart-shaped sunglasses, 'cause we're gonna take a ride
I'm not gonna listen to what the past says, I've been waitin' up all night
Take another drag, turn me to ashes, ready for another lie?
Says he's gonna teach me just what fast is, say it's gonna be all right
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Let's take Jesus off the dashboard, got enough on His mind
We both know just what we're here for, saved too many times
Maybe I like this roller coaster, maybe it keeps me high
Maybe, the speed, it brings me closer, I could sparkle up your eye
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want you
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want you, I want you
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Baby stoppin' at 7-Eleven
There in his white Pontiac Heaven
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City (You're no good for me)
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty? (Baby, you're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love? (But, baby, I want you, I want you)
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want
"Diet Mt. Dew Baby" concept demo[]
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you wanna get low-down and gritty?
Do you wanna go back out again?
We stop at 7-Eleven in his white Pontiac Heaven
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
I can see the sparkle in your eyes
I can see it now as I get closer
Knew that I heard, it's no surprise
You're more crazy than a roller coaster
You're more crazy than a roller coaster
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl more pretty
Do you wanna get low-down and gritty?
Do you wanna go back out again?
And I am for all I wanna be
I try and I believe
Demo version 1[]
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want you
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Baby, put on heart-shaped sunglasses, 'cause we gonna take a ride
I'm not gonna listen to what the past says, I've been waiting up all night
Take another drag, turn me to ashes, ready for a new lie?
Say he gonna teach me just what fast is, say it's gonna be all right
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Let's take Jesus off the dashboard, got enough on His mind
We both know just what we're here for, saved too many times
Maybe I like this roller coaster, maybe it keeps me high
Maybe, the speed, it brings me closer, I could sparkle up your eye
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but, baby, I want you, I want you
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but, baby, I want you, I want you, I want you
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City (You're no good for me)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty (Baby, you're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (But, baby, I want you, I want you)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City (You're no good for me)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty (Baby, you're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (But, baby, I want you, I want you)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City (Want you, I want you, I want you)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty (You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (You're no good for me, but, baby, I want you, I want you, want you)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
"Diet Mtn Dew" demo version 2[]
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Baby, put on heart-shaped sunglasses, 'cause we gonna take a ride
I'm not gonna listen to what the past says, I've been waitin' up all night
Take another drag, turn me to ashes, ready for another lie?
Says he's gonna teach me just what fast is, say it's gonna be all right
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Let's take Jesus off the dashboard, got enough on His mind
We both know just what we're here for, saved too many times
Maybe I like this roller coaster, maybe it keeps me high
Maybe, the speed, it brings me closer, I could sparkle up your eye
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want you
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want you, I want you
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City (You're no good for me)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty (Baby, you're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love? (But baby, I want you, I want)
Baby stoppin' at 7-Eleven (You're no good for me)
There in his white Pontiac Heaven (Baby, you're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love? (But baby, I want you, I want)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City (You're no good for me)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty (Baby, you're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love? (But baby, I want you, I want)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City (You're no good for me)
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty? (Baby, you're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever? (You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love? (But baby, I want you, I want)
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want
Demo version 3[]
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want you
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Baby, put on heart-shaped sunglasses, 'cause we gonna take a ride
I'm not gonna listen to what the past says, I been waitin' up all night
Take another drag, turn me to ashes, ready for another lie?
Says he's gonna teach me just what fast is, say it's gonna be all right
Hit me, my darling, tonight
I don't know why, but I like it
Gotta get back to the wild
Give it up, give it up, live it up, live it up
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Let's take Jesus off the dashboard, got enough on His mind
We both know just what we're here for, saved too many times
Maybe I like this roller coaster, maybe it keeps me high
Maybe, the speed, it brings me closer, I could sparkle up your eye
Hurt me and tell me you're mine
I don't know why, but I like it
Scary, my God, you're divine
Gimme them, gimme them dope and diamonds
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want you
You're no good for me, baby, you're no good for me
You're no good for me, but baby, I want you, I want you, I want you
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Baby stoppin' at 7-Eleven
There in his white Pontiac Heaven
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Can we get it now, low-down and gritty?
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Do you think we'll be in love?
Credits[]
- Personnel[a]
- Lana Del Rey – songwriting, vocals
- Mike Daly – songwriting, vocal production
- Emile Haynie – production, drums, additional keyboards
- Jeff Bhasker – co-production, keyboards, guitar
- Larry Gold – strings arrangement, strings conducting
- Steve Tirpak – strings assistance
- Ken Lewis – additional drums
- Brent Kolatalo – additional drums
- Manny Marroquin – mixing
- Erik Madrid – assistance
- Chris Galland – assistance
- John Davis – mastering
- Technical
- Published by BMG Chrysalis / EMI
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
Certifications[]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[8] | Platinum | 70,000 |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[9] | Gold | 30,000 |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[10] | Gold | 15,000 |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[11] | Gold | 400,000 |
| United States (RIAA)[12] | Platinum | 1,000,000 |
References[]
- ↑ xx (April 28, 2009). "Mike Daly is Really fucking good. Diet Mt. Dew Baby". Twitter. https://twitter.com/MissDaytona/status/1636171945. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ↑ xx (April 30, 2009). "Diet Mt Dew Baby, New York City. I miss it . But i do love my new song. Kissin you and". Twitter. https://twitter.com/MissDaytona/status/1656599599. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ↑ Lanadelrey. SoundCloud. Archived from the original on May 30, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100530082249/http://soundcloud.com/lanadelrey.
- ↑ Hillyard, Kim (September 23, 2011). "Interview: Lana Del Rey". YouTube. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111007121959/http://www.ilikemusic.com/interview/Lana_Del_Rey.
- ↑ HFA Songfile Song Code: D4397W
- ↑ lizzyology (June 9, 2023). "Lana Del Rey Tracker (Google Spreadsheet) [Ongoing]". LanaBoards. https://lanaboards.com/topic/16346-lana-del-rey-tracker-google-spreadsheet-ongoing/page/10/#comment-1627103. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ↑ Hutt, Matthew (December 22, 2011). "Lana Del Rey - Diet Mtn Dew (First Live Performance at Mod Club, Toronto, Canada)". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hx2bhWwZks. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ↑ "2024 Accreditations - Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/orr9fphn3kyhykimwm11l/AMPH66r7jahjKL4nComjUdQ?dl=0&e=2&preview=2024+Accreditations+-+Singles.pdf&rlkey=b5et6u9n5p7f3gkxgmqhivbyf. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ↑ "CERTIFICADOS - Pro-Música Brasil" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. https://pro-musicabr.org.br/home/certificados/?busca_artista=Lana+Del+Rey&busca_tipo_produto=SINGLE. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ↑ "Single Certification Search". RadioScope. Note: Type 'Diet Mountain Dew' in the Search field. https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/single-cert-search/. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ↑ "British certifications – Lana Del Rey – Diet Mountain Dew". British Phonographic Industry. https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/18782-3320-1. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ↑ "American certifications – Lana Del Rey – Diet Mountain Dew". Recording Industry Association of America. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Lana+Del+Rey&ti=Diet+Mountain+Dew&format=&type=#search_section. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
Notes[]
- ↑ This is speculation and should not be relied upon. It has not been confirmed by any official source, but is considered widespread knowledge within the community.
- ↑ Adapted from the album's liner notes.
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