"Million Dollar Man" is a song by Lana Del Rey that is featured as the tenth track on her debut major-label studio album, Born to Die. It was written with Chris Braide, who also produced the song with Emile Haynie.
Background[]
The demo of the song produced by Chris Braide leaked on May 22, 2012. It later surfaced in higher quality from a French promotional CDr. The instrumental leaked on January 28, 2014.
Writing and inspiration[]
In a 2012 track-by-track breakdown of songs from the album with The Sun, Del Rey said of "Million Dollar Man":[1]
- "'Million Dollar Man' is my favorite song to sing live. It sounds best in New York City jazz clubs under a blue spot light. It's a song about a man who thought I was one of the most exotic things he had ever seen and me indulging in his appreciation and love. On the outside he was handsome and wholesome, but under wraps he was running an illegal electronic business which ended up taking him and his friends under, hence the chorus."
Critical reception[]
Sal Cinquemani of Slant called the song a "solid, bluesy ballad, reminiscent of Fiona Apple".[2] Jen Stratosphere Fanzine of Delusions of Adequacy similarly referred to the song as a jazzy torch song, that "layers together smoky, expressive vocals, piano notes, and extended strings, opining to an imaginary audience".[3]
Live performances[]
Del Rey performed the song live for the first time at Òran Mór in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 5, 2011, then continued to play it regularly during the Born to Die Tour and the Paradise Tour. Del Rey performed the song live a cappella at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California on August 1, 2017 during a stop on the Lust for Life Promotional Tour, then a few times during stops on the LA to the Moon Tour in 2018.
The song was a part of a session done by Del Rey's live touring band in preparation for her Paradise Tour performances. The full rehearsal session, which featured Del Rey's pre-recorded vocals and were created with the intent of aiding the tour's videographer, leaked on October 15, 2020.
Music video[]
| Music video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Released | N/A |
| Length | 4:06 | |
| Director | Lana Del Rey | |
| Producer | ||
| Filmed | 2010 | |
| Location | ||
| Vevo views | N/A | |
Background and description[]
Before the release of Born to Die, Del Rey filmed a homemade music video for the demo version of the song. It features clips of Del Rey herself and clips from miscellaneous films and videos, similar to the style of many of her pre-Born to Die era music videos.
Cross-references[]
- Money is mentioned in several songs, including "Hundred Dollar Bill", "Money Power Glory", and "National Anthem".
- Hearts are also mentioned in "Arcadia", "Heartshaped Chevrolet", "Queen of Hearts", and "Wild At Heart".
Official versions[]
- Album version – 3:51
- Instrumental version – 3:49
- "Mix 1" demo version (produced by Chris Braide) – 3:42
- Paradise Tour rehearsal session – 5:11
Lyrics[]
You said I was the most exotic flower
Holding me tight in our final hour
I don't know how you convince them and get them, boy
I don't know what you do, it's unbelievable
And I don't know how you get over, get over
Someone as dangerous, tainted, and flawed as you
One for the money and two for the show
I love you, honey, I'm ready, I'm ready to go
How did you get that way? I don't know
You're screwed-up and brilliant, look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke?
You got the world but, baby, at what price?
Something so strange, hard to define
It isn't that hard, boy, to like you or love you
I'd follow you down, down, down, you're unbelievable
If you're going crazy, just grab me and take me
I'd follow you down, down, down, anywhere, anywhere
One for the money, two for the show
I love you, honey, I'm ready, I'm ready to go
How did you get that way? I don't know
You're screwed-up and brilliant, look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke?
One for the money and two for the show
I love you, honey, I'm ready, I'm ready to go
How did you get that way? I don't know
You're screwed-up and brilliant, look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke? I don't know
You're screwed-up and brilliant, look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke?
Credits[]
- Personnel[a]
- Lana Del Rey – songwriting, vocals
- Chris Braide – songwriting, production, guitars, acoustic piano, strings, drum programming
- Emile Haynie – production, drums, additional keyboards
- Dan Grech-Marguerat – mixing
- Duncan Fuller – mixing assistance
- John Davis – mastering
- Technical
- Published by EMI / Sony / ATV
- Recorded at Human Feel Studios, Los Angeles, California
- Mixed at Miloco's Engine Room, London, United Kingdom
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
Certifications[]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[4] | Gold | 500,000 |
References[]
- ↑ Smart, Gordon (January 27, 2012). "'When I write songs, I stand under the telephone wires and take in their energy'". The Sun. Archived from the original on January 28, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120128045644/https://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/4091590/When-I-write-songs-I-stand-under-the-telephone-wires-and-take-in-their-energy.html.
- ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (January 25, 2012). "Review: Lana Del Rey, Born to Die". Slant. http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/lana-del-rey-born-to-die. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
- ↑ Stratosphere Fanzine, Jen (February 16, 2012). "Lana Del Rey – Born To Die". Delusions of Adequacy. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120219030343/http://www.adequacy.net/2012/02/lana-del-rey-born-to-die/.
- ↑ "American certifications – Lana Del Rey – Million Dollar Man". Recording Industry Association of America. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Lana+Del+Rey&ti=Million+Dollar+Man&format=&type=#search_section. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
Notes[]
- ↑ Adapted from the album's liner notes.
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