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Changes: Off to the Races (song)

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|artist = Lana Del Rey
  
|artist = Lana Del Rey
 
|written = [[Lana Del Rey]]<br>[[Tim Larcombe]]
  
|written = [[Lana Del Rey]]<br>[[Tim Larcombe]]
−
|producer = [[Patrik Berger]]<br>[[Emile Haynie]]
 +
|producer = [[Emile Haynie]]<br>[[Patrik Berger]]
  +
|altproducer = [[Shawn Lee]]<br>Tim Larcombe
 
|time = 4:59<br><small>(See [[#Official versions|official versions]])</small>
  
|time = 4:59<br><small>(See [[#Official versions|official versions]])</small>
 
|Source = [[File:Btdogo.png|125px|link=Born to Die (album)]]
  
|Source = [[File:Btdogo.png|125px|link=Born to Die (album)]]
 
|Singles = {{BTDS}}
  
|Singles = {{BTDS}}
 
|DS = {{BTDDS}}
  
|DS = {{BTDDS}}
  +
{{Extra album cover
  +
| Upper caption = Alternate single cover
  +
| Type = studio
  +
| Cover = Off to the Races - Single.jpg
  +
| Alt =
  +
| Lower caption =
  +
| Border = yes
  +
}}
 
|album = [[Born to Die (album)|Born to Die]]
  
|album = [[Born to Die (album)|Born to Die]]
 
|previous ="[[Born to Die (song)|Born to Die]]"
  
|previous ="[[Born to Die (song)|Born to Die]]"
 
|next = "[[Blue Jeans (song)|Blue Jeans]]"
  
|next = "[[Blue Jeans (song)|Blue Jeans]]"
−
|released = December 20, 2011|altproducer = Shawn Lee}}"'''Off to the Races'''" is a song written by [[Lana Del Rey]] and [[Tim Larcombe]] and produced by [[Patrick Berger]] and [[Emile Haynie]]. Taken from Del Rey's first major-label album ''[[Born to Die (album)|Born to Die]]'', the song served as the album's first promotional single worldwide.
 +
|released = December 20, 2011}}"'''Off to the Races'''" is a song written by [[Lana Del Rey]] and [[Tim Larcombe]] and produced by [[Patrik Berger]] and [[Emile Haynie]]. Taken from Del Rey's first major-label album ''[[Born to Die (album)|Born to Die]]'', the song served as the album's first promotional single worldwide.
   
−
== Writing and inspiration ==
 +
== Background ==
  ⚫
"Off to the Races" was released in the UK as iTunes Single of the Week on December 20, 2011.<ref>http://idolator.com/6119802/lana-del-rey-off-to-the-races-video</ref> It was then released as a digital single in the Netherlands on January 6, 2012 on the iTunes Store.<ref>https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/off-to-the-races-single/id488697409</ref>
⚫
In a 2012 interview, Del Rey described "Off to the Races" as a song where you could tell by the energy that she was right in the middle of a relationship where times were happy but also chaotic. She continued about the relationship by saying: "We were traveling between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, he was gambling, I was just swimming, and yeah I mean, I used to indulge in a lot drugs and dark poetry, and pop culture, and amazing music, but I've quieted down a lot but I just reminisce about it. I live a really simple life today". That describes what "Off to the Races" was written about.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alJqRB9V2ZY</ref>
  
   
  ⚫
A demo version of the song, produced by [[Shawn Lee]] and [[Tim Larcombe]] was posted to Del Rey's SoundCloud page on May 22, 2010. It has currently yet to resurface online after being taken down. An early mix of the song, labeled "Mix 9" which had previously only been available on out-of-circulation promotional EPs sent to press, leaked on July 25, 2016. This version contained slightly different instrumentation, it was recorded on September 26, 2011. Another early mix leaked from a French sampler of ''Born to Die'' leaked on August 14, 2016. This version is similar to the "Mix 9" one, but with slight differences in the background instrumentation.
−
== Background and live performances ==
  
⚫
"Off to the Races" was released in the UK as iTunes Single of the Week on December 20, 2011.<ref>http://idolator.com/6119802/lana-del-rey-off-to-the-races-video</ref> It was then released as a digital single in the Netherlands on January 6, 2012 on the iTunes Store.<ref>https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/off-to-the-races-single/id488697409</ref> On [[2011/November#November 4|November 4, 2011]], at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester, United Kingom, Del Rey performed the song live for the first time, before it was officially released. It was the final song of the set.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/06/new-lana-del-rey-song_n_1078536.html</ref> She also performed the song on the [[Endless Summer Tour]] (2015) [[Festival Tour]] (2016), as well as a portion of her 2017 performances and the [[LA to the Moon Tour]] (2018).
  
   
−
== Composition ==
 +
== Writing and inspiration ==
  ⚫
In a 2012 interview, Del Rey described "Off to the Races" as a song where you could tell by the energy that she was right in the middle of a relationship where times were happy but also chaotic. She continued about the relationship by saying: "We were traveling between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, he was gambling, I was just swimming, and yeah I mean, I used to indulge in a lot drugs and dark poetry, and pop culture, and amazing music, but I've quieted down a lot but I just reminisce about it. I live a really simple life today".<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alJqRB9V2ZY</ref>
⚫
Del Rey employs an alternative rapping technique, hip-hop beat and heavy basslines, similar to that of "National Anthem" and "[[Diet Mountain Dew (song)|Diet Mountain Dew]]" in the song.<ref>http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16769/reviews/4144405?search</ref> The song samples "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force while the beat subtly samples "Dernier Domicile Connu" by François De Roubaix. Indie music website ''Pitchfork'' said the rapping technique was almost "chatting."<ref>http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16223-lana-del-rey/</ref> The song references the novel ''Lolita'', with lyrics such as, "Light of my life, fire of my loins".<ref>http://www.spin.com/articles/lana-del-rey-plays-hood-lolita-races</ref>
  
   
  +
== Composition ==
⚫
One of the track's demos was produced by Shawn Lee and features military style snares during the chorus and has a completely different vocal track. A fan asked Lee if he could share the demo but he was not allowed by the label to do that. However, the demo was available on Del Rey's SoundCloud account for a period of time but it was downloaded only by one user.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100530082249/http://soundcloud.com/lanadelrey</ref>
  
  ⚫
Del Rey employs an alternative rapping technique, hip-hop beat and heavy basslines, similar to that of "[[National Anthem (song)|National Anthem]]" and "[[Diet Mountain Dew (song)|Diet Mountain Dew]]" in the song.<ref>http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16769/reviews/4144405?search</ref> The song samples "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force while the beat subtly samples "Dernier Domicile Connu" by François De Roubaix. Indie music website ''Pitchfork'' said the rapping technique was almost "chatting."<ref>http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16223-lana-del-rey/</ref> The song references the novel ''Lolita'', with lyrics such as, "Light of my life, fire of my loins".<ref>http://www.spin.com/articles/lana-del-rey-plays-hood-lolita-races</ref>
   
  ⚫
One of the track's demos was produced by [[Shawn Lee]] and features military style snares during the chorus and has a completely different vocal track. A fan asked Lee if he could share the demo but he was not allowed to do that by the label. However, the demo was available on Del Rey's SoundCloud account for a period of time but it was downloaded only by one user.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100530082249/http://soundcloud.com/lanadelrey</ref>
⚫
A demo of the song, labeled "Mix 9" which had previously only been available on out-of-circulation promotional EPs sent to press, leaked on July 25, 2016. This version contained slightly different instrumentation, it was recorded on September 25, 2011. Another demo, labeled "Early Mix", leaked from a French sampler of ''Born to Die'' leaked on August 14, 2016. This version is similar to the "Mix 9" one, but with slight differences in the background instrumentation.
  
   
 
== Critical reception ==
  
== Critical reception ==
 
"Off to the Races" has been lyrically described as "a freak show of inappropriate co-dependency".<ref>http://www.nme.com/reviews/lana-del-rey/12561</ref> Giving the song a negative review, ''Pitchfork'' said it "...aim[s] for chatty, sparkling opulence," adding that she "doesn't have the personality to bring it off."<ref>http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16223-lana-del-rey/</ref> ''The Guardian'' wrote that "Off to the Races' turns Del Rey from vintage siren to R&B hoochie most convincingly. There's jazz in Del Rey's dextrous vocal, and new territory in the swoop and pow of Haynie's undertow." <ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jan/29/lana-del-rey-born-die-review</ref> Comparing the song to "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans", ''The Huffington Post'' blogged that the song was "...pretty good...and it sounds just as catchy..."<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/06/new-lana-del-rey-song_n_1078536.html</ref> Of the song's music video, reviewer Robbie Daw commented: "...it seems the video’s producer was off to find the cheesiest footage of old shoot-'em-up '80s B-movies for this clip."<ref>http://idolator.com/6119802/lana-del-rey-off-to-the-races-video</ref>
  
"Off to the Races" has been lyrically described as "a freak show of inappropriate co-dependency".<ref>http://www.nme.com/reviews/lana-del-rey/12561</ref> Giving the song a negative review, ''Pitchfork'' said it "...aim[s] for chatty, sparkling opulence," adding that she "doesn't have the personality to bring it off."<ref>http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16223-lana-del-rey/</ref> ''The Guardian'' wrote that "Off to the Races' turns Del Rey from vintage siren to R&B hoochie most convincingly. There's jazz in Del Rey's dextrous vocal, and new territory in the swoop and pow of Haynie's undertow." <ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jan/29/lana-del-rey-born-die-review</ref> Comparing the song to "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans", ''The Huffington Post'' blogged that the song was "...pretty good...and it sounds just as catchy..."<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/06/new-lana-del-rey-song_n_1078536.html</ref> Of the song's music video, reviewer Robbie Daw commented: "...it seems the video’s producer was off to find the cheesiest footage of old shoot-'em-up '80s B-movies for this clip."<ref>http://idolator.com/6119802/lana-del-rey-off-to-the-races-video</ref>
   
−
== Cross-references ==
 +
== Live performances ==
  +
On [[2011/November#November 4|November 4, 2011]], at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester, United Kingdom, Del Rey performed the song live for the first time, before it was officially released. It was the final song of the set.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/06/new-lana-del-rey-song_n_1078536.html</ref> Since then, the song has been apart of the setlist of every one of Del Rey's [https://lanadelrey.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Concert_tours concert tours]. It has also served as the closing song of every tour except the [[Paradise Tour]] and [[Norman Fucking Rockwell Tour]].
⚫
*References to Coney Island are also present in "[[Mermaid Motel (song)|Mermaid Motel]]", "[[Carmen (song)|Carmen]]", "[[TV in Black & White (song)|TV in Black & White]]", as well as others.
  
⚫
*Drug references are found throughout Del Rey's songs; this includes "[[Yayo (song)|Yayo]]", "[[Disco (song)|Disco]]", "[[Hollywood (song)|Hollywood]]" and many others.
  
⚫
*Las Vegas is mentioned in "[[Go Go Dancer (song)|Go Go Dancer]]", "[[Hollywood's Dead (song)|Hollywood's Dead]]", "[[Noir (song)|Noir]]", and others.
  
⚫
*LA is mentioned in many of Del Rey's songs; these include "[[1949 (song)|1949]]", "[[Because of You (song)|Because of You]]", "[[Birds of a Feather (song)|Birds of a Feather]]", "[[Never Let Me Go (song)|Never Let Me Go]]", and others.
  
⚫
*A "cocaine heart" is also mentioned in the demo version of "[[Carmen (song)|Carmen]]".
  
⚫
*Swimming pools are mentioned quite frequently; notably in "[[Push Me Down (song)|Push Me Down]]", "[[Heavy Hitter (song)|Heavy Hitter]]", "[[Gangsta Boy (song)|Gangsta Boy]]", "[[This Is What Makes Us Girls (song)|This Is What Makes Us Girls]]" and many others.
  
⚫
*Alcohol is a recurring theme in many of Del Rey's songs.
  
⚫
*The Chateau Marmont is featured in many songs, including "[[Heavy Hitter (song)|Heavy Hitter]]", "[[Elvis (song)|Elvis]]", "[[She's Not Me (song)|She's Not Me]]", and others.
  
⚫
*A gold chain is mentioned in "[[Dangerous Girl (song)|Dangerous Girl]]"; gold is a recurring theme in Del Rey's songs.
  
⚫
*Del Rey refers to her nail polish in "[[1949 (song)|1949]]", "[[The Blackest Day (song)|The Blackest Day]]" and alludes to it in "[[Your Girl (song)|Your Girl]]".
  
⚫
*A red dress is also mentioned in "[[Summertime Sadness (song)|Summertime Sadness]]", "[[Cruel World (song)|Cruel World]]", "[[Yes to Heaven (song)|Yes to Heaven]]", "[[Carmen (song)|Carmen]]" and "[[Criminals Run the World (song)|Criminals Run the World]]".
  
⚫
*Del Rey pleas with someone to come and save her in "[[Daddy Issues (song)|Daddy Issues]]" and "[[God Bless America - and All the Beautiful Women in It (song)|God Bless America - and All the Beautiful Women in It]]".
  
⚫
*"My old man" is a lyric also mentioned in "[[Heroin (song)|Heroin]]".
  
⚫
*Direct reference to the song "[[Without You (song)|Without You]]".
  
⚫
*"Light of my life, fire of my loins" is a phrase from the book "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov. In the book (and subsequent movie) Lolita has to do what her old man says to get money from him, like the lyrics "be a good baby, do what I want... gimme them gold coins, gimme them coins". Lolita also wore a "white" bikini and had on "red nail polish" in the movie. Lana also sings about Lolita in "[[Lolita (song)|Lolita]]".
  
   
 
== Music video ==
  
== Music video ==
Line 58: Line 53:
 
}}
  
}}
   
−
==== Background and description ====
 +
==== '''Background and description''' ====
 
On December 22, 2011, [[Lana Del Rey]] uploaded a homemade music video for "Off to the Races" on her YouTube channel. It is composed of film clips, and does not feature Del Rey herself. <span>The video features Latin American gangsters, femme fatale figures with guns, and a race track. </span>It has since been privatized for unknown reasons, although unofficial uploads still exist around the web.<ref>http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/watch_lana_del_rey_-_off_to_the_races_video/</ref>
  
On December 22, 2011, [[Lana Del Rey]] uploaded a homemade music video for "Off to the Races" on her YouTube channel. It is composed of film clips, and does not feature Del Rey herself. <span>The video features Latin American gangsters, femme fatale figures with guns, and a race track. </span>It has since been privatized for unknown reasons, although unofficial uploads still exist around the web.<ref>http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/watch_lana_del_rey_-_off_to_the_races_video/</ref>
  +
  +
== Cross-references ==
  ⚫
*References to Coney Island are also present in "[[Mermaid Motel (song)|Mermaid Motel]]", "[[Carmen (song)|Carmen]]", "[[TV in Black & White (song)|TV in Black &amp; White]]", as well as others.
  ⚫
*Drug references are found throughout Del Rey's songs; this includes "[[Yayo (song)|Yayo]]", "[[Disco (song)|Disco]]", "[[Hollywood (song)|Hollywood]]" and many others.
  ⚫
*Las Vegas is mentioned in "[[Go Go Dancer (song)|Go Go Dancer]]", "[[Hollywood's Dead (song)|Hollywood's Dead]]", "[[Noir (song)|Noir]]", "[[Guns and Roses (song)|Guns and Roses]]" and others.
  ⚫
*LA is mentioned in many of Del Rey's songs; these include "[[1949 (song)|1949]]", "[[Because of You (song)|Because of You]]", "[[Birds of a Feather (song)|Birds of a Feather]]", "[[Never Let Me Go (song)|Never Let Me Go]]", and others.
  ⚫
*A "cocaine heart" is also mentioned in the demo version of "[[Carmen (song)|Carmen]]".
  ⚫
*Swimming pools are mentioned quite frequently; notably in "[[Push Me Down (song)|Push Me Down]]", "[[Heavy Hitter (song)|Heavy Hitter]]", "[[Gangsta Boy (song)|Gangsta Boy]]", "[[This Is What Makes Us Girls (song)|This Is What Makes Us Girls]]" and many others.
  ⚫
*Alcohol is a recurring theme in many of Del Rey's songs.
  ⚫
*The Chateau Marmont, a historic hotel in Los Angeles, California is mentioned in many of Del Rey's songs, including "[[Heavy Hitter (song)|Heavy Hitter]]", "[[Elvis (song)|Elvis]]", "[[She's Not Me (song)|She's Not Me]]", and others.
  ⚫
*A gold chain is mentioned in "[[Dangerous Girl (song)|Dangerous Girl]]"; gold is a recurring theme in Del Rey's songs.
  ⚫
*Del Rey refers to her nail polish in "[[1949 (song)|1949]]", "[[The Blackest Day (song)|The Blackest Day]]" and alludes to it in "[[Your Girl (song)|Your Girl]]".
  ⚫
*A red dress is also mentioned in "[[Summertime Sadness (song)|Summertime Sadness]]", "[[Cruel World (song)|Cruel World]]", "[[Yes to Heaven (song)|Yes to Heaven]]", "[[Carmen (song)|Carmen]]" and "[[Criminals Run the World (song)|Criminals Run the World]]".
  ⚫
*Del Rey pleas with someone to come and save her in "[[Daddy Issues (song)|Daddy Issues]]" and "[[God Bless America - and All the Beautiful Women in It (song)|God Bless America - and All the Beautiful Women in It]]".
  ⚫
*"My old man" is a lyric also mentioned in "[[Heroin (song)|Heroin]]".
  ⚫
*Direct reference to the song "[[Without You (song)|Without You]]".
  +
*The phrase "true love" is also used in "[[I Talk to Jesus (song)|I Talk to Jesus]]", "[[Ultraviolence (song)|Ultraviolence]]" and "[[True Love on the Side (song)|True Love on the Side]]".
  +
*The phrase "glimmering darling" is similar to "I'm your vulgar darling in the swimming pool, glimmering" from "[[Moi Je Joue (song)|Moi Je Joue]]".
  +
*Casinos are also mentioned in "[[Queen of the Gas Station (song)|Queen of the Gas Station]]"
  ⚫
*"Light of my life, fire of my loins" is a phrase from the book "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov. In the book (and subsequent movie) Lolita has to do what her old man says to get money from him, like the lyrics "be a good baby, do what I want... gimme them gold coins, gimme them coins". Lolita also wore a "white" bikini and had on "red nail polish" in the movie. Del Rey also sings about Lolita in [[Lolita (song)|the song of the same name]].
  +
*The phrase "I need you, I breathe you" is similar to "Need you, baby, like I breathe you" which appears in "[[Fucked My Way Up to the Top (song)|Fucked My Way Up to the Top]]".
  +
*Being crazy is also referenced in "[[Ride (song)|Ride]]", "[[Cruel World (song)|Cruel World]]" and the poem "[[My Bedroom is a Sacred Place Now - There Are Children at the Foot of my Bed (poem)|My Bedroom is a Sacred Place Now - There Are Children at the Foot of my Bed]]".
  +
*Perfume is also mentioned in "[[The Other Woman (song)|The Other Woman]]" and "[[Video Games (song)|Video Games]]".
  +
*A garden is also mentioned in "[[Cherry (song)|Cherry]]", "[[Big Eyes (song)|Big Eyes]]", "[[I Can Fly (song)|I Can Fly]]", "[[Bartender (song)|Bartender]]", "[[Burnt Norton (Interlude) (song)|Burnt Norton]]" and many other songs.
  +
*Being or acting dangerous is also referenced in "[[Playing Dangerous (song)|Playing Dangerous]]" and "[[Dangerous Girl (song)|Dangerous Girl]]".
  +
*The phrase "I love you" also appears in "[[Pretty Baby (song)|Pretty Baby]]", "[[Ultraviolence (song)|Ultraviolence]]" and "[[Fuck It I Love You (song)|Fuck It I Love You]]", among some other songs.
  +
*"Rikers Island" is the name of a well-known prison located in New York City.
  +
*"Cipriani's Basement" alludes to "Cipriani's" an elite restaurant in the Manhattan borough of New York City.
  +
*The line "the way I roll like a rolling stone" might be a reference to the 1965 song "Like A Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan, which also appears in "[[Dance Till We Die (song)|Dance Till We Die]]".
  +
*Praying is also referenced in "[[Tulsa Jesus Freak (song)|Tulsa Jesus Freak]]".
   
 
== Official versions ==
  
== Official versions ==
 
* Album version — 4:59
  
* Album version — 4:59
  ⚫
** Instrumental version — 4:58
  +
* Single version — 5:01
 
* Radio edit — 3:54
  
* Radio edit — 3:54
  +
* Demo version — 5:02 <small>(produced by [[Shawn Lee]] and [[Tim Larcombe]])</small>
⚫
* Instrumental version — 4:58
  
−
* "Mix 9" demo version — 5:05
 +
* "Mix 9" version — 5:05
−
* "Early Mix" demo version — 5:10
 +
* "Early Mix" version — 5:10
−
* Shawn Lee demo — 5:02
  
   
 
==Lyrics==
  
==Lyrics==
Line 92: Line 118:
 
Chasin' me all over town 'cause he knows I'm wasted
  
Chasin' me all over town 'cause he knows I'm wasted
 
Facin' time again at Rikers Island and I won't get out
  
Facin' time again at Rikers Island and I won't get out
−
Because I'm crazy baby, I need you to come here and save me
 +
Because I'm crazy, baby, I need you to come here and save me
 
I'm your little scarlet, starlet, singin' in the garden
  
I'm your little scarlet, starlet, singin' in the garden
 
Kiss me on my open mouth
  
Kiss me on my open mouth
Line 116: Line 142:
 
Chasin' me all over town 'cause he knows I'm wasted
  
Chasin' me all over town 'cause he knows I'm wasted
 
Facin' time again at Rikers Island and I won't get out
  
Facin' time again at Rikers Island and I won't get out
−
Because I'm crazy baby, I need you to come here and save me
 +
Because I'm crazy, baby, I need you to come here and save me
 
I'm your little scarlet, starlet, singin' in the garden
  
I'm your little scarlet, starlet, singin' in the garden
 
Kiss me on my open mouth
  
Kiss me on my open mouth
−
Ready for you
  
   
 
Yo I'm off to the races, laces
  
Yo I'm off to the races, laces
 
Leather on my waist is tight and I am falling down
  
Leather on my waist is tight and I am falling down
 
I can see your face is shameless
  
I can see your face is shameless
−
Cipriani's basement, love you but I'm going down
 +
Cipriani's basement, love you, but I'm going down
−
God I'm so crazy baby, I'm sorry that I'm misbehaving
 +
God, I'm so crazy, baby, I'm sorry that I'm misbehaving
 
I'm your little harlot, starlet, queen of Coney Island
  
I'm your little harlot, starlet, queen of Coney Island
 
Raisin' hell all over town
  
Raisin' hell all over town
Line 140: Line 165:
 
You're lyin' with your gold chain on
  
You're lyin' with your gold chain on
 
Cigar hangin' from your lips
  
Cigar hangin' from your lips
−
I said, "Hun, you never looked so beautiful as you do now, my man".
 +
I said, "Hun, you never looked so beautiful as you do now, my man"
  +
 
And we're off to the races, places
  
And we're off to the races, places
 
Ready, set, the gate is down and now we're going in
  
Ready, set, the gate is down and now we're going in
 
To Las Vegas, chaos, casino oasis
  
To Las Vegas, chaos, casino oasis
−
Honey it's time to spin
 +
Honey, it's time to spin
−
Boy you're so crazy baby
 +
Boy, you're so crazy, baby
 
I love you forever, not maybe
  
I love you forever, not maybe
 
You are my one true love
  
You are my one true love
Line 278: Line 304:
 
[[Category:Born to Die promotional singles]]
  
[[Category:Born to Die promotional singles]]
 
[[Category:LA to the Moon Tour songs]]
  
[[Category:LA to the Moon Tour songs]]
  +
[[Category:Norman Fucking Rockwell Tour songs]]

Revision as of 07:33, 14 July 2021

"Off to the Races" is a song written by Lana Del Rey and Tim Larcombe and produced by Patrik Berger and Emile Haynie. Taken from Del Rey's first major-label album Born to Die, the song served as the album's first promotional single worldwide.

Background

"Off to the Races" was released in the UK as iTunes Single of the Week on December 20, 2011.[1] It was then released as a digital single in the Netherlands on January 6, 2012 on the iTunes Store.[2]

A demo version of the song, produced by Shawn Lee and Tim Larcombe was posted to Del Rey's SoundCloud page on May 22, 2010. It has currently yet to resurface online after being taken down. An early mix of the song, labeled "Mix 9" which had previously only been available on out-of-circulation promotional EPs sent to press, leaked on July 25, 2016. This version contained slightly different instrumentation, it was recorded on September 26, 2011. Another early mix leaked from a French sampler of Born to Die leaked on August 14, 2016. This version is similar to the "Mix 9" one, but with slight differences in the background instrumentation.

Writing and inspiration

In a 2012 interview, Del Rey described "Off to the Races" as a song where you could tell by the energy that she was right in the middle of a relationship where times were happy but also chaotic. She continued about the relationship by saying: "We were traveling between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, he was gambling, I was just swimming, and yeah I mean, I used to indulge in a lot drugs and dark poetry, and pop culture, and amazing music, but I've quieted down a lot but I just reminisce about it. I live a really simple life today".[3]

Composition

Del Rey employs an alternative rapping technique, hip-hop beat and heavy basslines, similar to that of "National Anthem" and "Diet Mountain Dew" in the song.[4] The song samples "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force while the beat subtly samples "Dernier Domicile Connu" by François De Roubaix. Indie music website Pitchfork said the rapping technique was almost "chatting."[5] The song references the novel Lolita, with lyrics such as, "Light of my life, fire of my loins".[6]

One of the track's demos was produced by Shawn Lee and features military style snares during the chorus and has a completely different vocal track. A fan asked Lee if he could share the demo but he was not allowed to do that by the label. However, the demo was available on Del Rey's SoundCloud account for a period of time but it was downloaded only by one user.[7]

Critical reception

"Off to the Races" has been lyrically described as "a freak show of inappropriate co-dependency".[8] Giving the song a negative review, Pitchfork said it "...aim[s] for chatty, sparkling opulence," adding that she "doesn't have the personality to bring it off."[9] The Guardian wrote that "Off to the Races' turns Del Rey from vintage siren to R&B hoochie most convincingly. There's jazz in Del Rey's dextrous vocal, and new territory in the swoop and pow of Haynie's undertow." [10] Comparing the song to "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans", The Huffington Post blogged that the song was "...pretty good...and it sounds just as catchy..."[11] Of the song's music video, reviewer Robbie Daw commented: "...it seems the video’s producer was off to find the cheesiest footage of old shoot-'em-up '80s B-movies for this clip."[12]

Live performances

On November 4, 2011, at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester, United Kingdom, Del Rey performed the song live for the first time, before it was officially released. It was the final song of the set.[13] Since then, the song has been apart of the setlist of every one of Del Rey's concert tours. It has also served as the closing song of every tour except the Paradise Tour and Norman Fucking Rockwell Tour.

Music video

Music video Information
LANA_DEL_REY_-_OFF_TO_THE_RACES_(OFFICIAL_MUSIC_VIDEO) Released December 22, 2011
Length 5:04
Director Lana Del Rey
Producer
Filmed N/A
Location N/A
Vevo views N/A

Background and description

On December 22, 2011, Lana Del Rey uploaded a homemade music video for "Off to the Races" on her YouTube channel. It is composed of film clips, and does not feature Del Rey herself. The video features Latin American gangsters, femme fatale figures with guns, and a race track. It has since been privatized for unknown reasons, although unofficial uploads still exist around the web.[14]

Cross-references

Official versions

  • Album version — 4:59
    • Instrumental version — 4:58
  • Single version — 5:01
  • Radio edit — 3:54
  • Demo version — 5:02 (produced by Shawn Lee and Tim Larcombe)
  • "Mix 9" version — 5:05
  • "Early Mix" version — 5:10

Lyrics

Album version

My old man is a bad man, but I can't deny the way he holds my hand
And he grabs me, he has me by my heart

He doesn't mind I have a Las Vegas past
He doesn't mind I have an LA crass way about me
He loves me with every beat of his cocaine heart

Swimming pool glimmering darling
White bikini off with my red nail polish
Watch me in the swimming pool
Bright blue ripples, you sittin', sippin' on your black cristal, yeah

Light of my life, fire of my loins
Be a good baby, do what I want
Light of my life, fire of my loins
Give me them gold coins, give me them coins
And I'm off to the races, cases of Bacardi chasers
Chasin' me all over town 'cause he knows I'm wasted
Facin' time again at Rikers Island and I won't get out
Because I'm crazy, baby, I need you to come here and save me
I'm your little scarlet, starlet, singin' in the garden
Kiss me on my open mouth
Ready for you

My old man is a tough man, but he got a soul as sweet as blood red jam
And he shows me, he knows me, every inch of my tar black soul
He doesn't mind I have a flat, broke-down life
In fact, he says he thinks it's what he might like about me, admires me
The way I roll like a rolling stone

He likes to watch me in the glass room, bathroom, Chateau Marmont
Slippin' on my red dress, puttin' on my makeup
Glass room, perfume, cognac, lilac fumes
Says it feels like heaven to him

Light of his life, fire of his loins
Keep me forever, tell me you own me
Light of your life, fire of your loins
Tell me you own me, give me them coins

And I'm off to the races, cases of Bacardi chasers
Chasin' me all over town 'cause he knows I'm wasted
Facin' time again at Rikers Island and I won't get out
Because I'm crazy, baby, I need you to come here and save me
I'm your little scarlet, starlet, singin' in the garden
Kiss me on my open mouth

Yo I'm off to the races, laces
Leather on my waist is tight and I am falling down
I can see your face is shameless
Cipriani's basement, love you, but I'm going down
God, I'm so crazy, baby, I'm sorry that I'm misbehaving
I'm your little harlot, starlet, queen of Coney Island
Raisin' hell all over town
Sorry 'bout it

My old man is a thief and I'm gonna stay and pray with him till the end
But I trust in the decision of the Lord to watch over us
Take him when he may, if he may
I'm not afraid to say that I'd die without him
Who else is gonna put up with me this way?
I need you, I breathe you, I'd never leave you
They would rue the day I was alone without you

You're lyin' with your gold chain on
Cigar hangin' from your lips
I said, "Hun, you never looked so beautiful as you do now, my man"

And we're off to the races, places
Ready, set, the gate is down and now we're going in
To Las Vegas, chaos, casino oasis
Honey, it's time to spin
Boy, you're so crazy, baby
I love you forever, not maybe
You are my one true love
You are my one true love

You are my one true love

Radio edit

My old man is a bad man, but I can't deny the way he holds my hand
And he grabs me, he has me by my heart

He doesn't mind I have a Las Vegas past
He doesn't mind I have an L.A. crass way about me
He loves me with every beat of his cocaine heart

Swimming pool glimmering darling
White bikini off with my red nail polish
Watch me in the swimming pool
Bright blue ripples, you sittin', sippin' on your black cristal, yeah

Light of my life, fire of my loins
Be a good baby, do what I want
Light of my life, fire of my loins
Give me them gold coins, give me them coins

And I'm off to the races, cases of Bacardi chasers
Chasin' me all over town 'cause he knows I'm wasted
Facin' time again at Riker's Island and I won't get out
Because I'm crazy baby, I need you to come here and save me
I'm your little scarlet, starlet, singin' in the garden
Kiss me on my open mouth
Ready for you

My old man is a tough man, but he got a soul as sweet as blood red jam
And he shows me, he knows me, every inch of my tar black soul
He doesn't mind I have a flat, broke-down life
In fact, he says he thinks it's what he might like about me, admires me
The way I roll like a rolling stone

He likes to watch me in the glass room, bathroom, Chateau Marmont
Slippin' on my red dress, puttin' on my makeup
Glass room, perfume, cognac, lilac fumes
Says it feels like heaven to him

Light of his life, fire of his loins
Keep me forever, tell me you own me
Light of your life, fire of your loins
Tell me you own me, give me them coins

And I'm off to the races, laces
Leather on my waist is tight and I am falling down
I can see your face is shameless
Cipriani's basement, love you but I'm going down
God I'm so crazy baby, I'm sorry that I'm misbehaving
I'm your little harlot, starlet, queen of Coney Island
Raisin' hell all over town
Sorry 'bout it

My old man is a thief and I'm gonna stay and pray with him till the end
But I trust in the decision of the Lord to watch over us
Take him when he may, if he may
I'm not afraid to say that I'd die without him
Who else is gonna put up with me this way?
I need you, I breathe you, I'd never leave you
They would rue the day I was alone without you

You're lyin' with your gold chain on
Cigar hangin' from your lips
I said, "Hun, you never looked so beautiful as you do now, my man."

And we're off to the races, places
Ready, set, the gate is down and now we're going in
To Las Vegas, chaos, casino oasis
Honey it's time to spin
Boy you're so crazy baby
I love you forever, not maybe
You are my one true love
You are my one true love

Promotional releases

Off to the Races CD by Stranger Records in UK

Credits

Personnel
  • Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
  • Tim Larcombe — songwriting
  • Patrik Berger — production, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, synthesizer, sampler, drum programming
  • Emile Haynie — production, drums, additional keyboards
  • Carl Bagge — strings arrangement
  • Frederik Syberg — violin
  • Erik Holm — viola
  • Pelle Hansen — cello
  • Dan Grech Marguerat — mixing
  • Duncan Fuller — mixing assistance
  • John Davis — mastering
Technical
  • Published by Copyright Control / EMI
  • Mastered at Metropolis Matering, London, United Kingdom

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
US Alternative Digital Songs (Billboard) 22
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard) 40

References

  1. ↑ http://idolator.com/6119802/lana-del-rey-off-to-the-races-video
  2. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/off-to-the-races-single/id488697409
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alJqRB9V2ZY
  4. ↑ http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16769/reviews/4144405?search
  5. ↑ http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16223-lana-del-rey/
  6. ↑ http://www.spin.com/articles/lana-del-rey-plays-hood-lolita-races
  7. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20100530082249/http://soundcloud.com/lanadelrey
  8. ↑ http://www.nme.com/reviews/lana-del-rey/12561
  9. ↑ http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16223-lana-del-rey/
  10. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jan/29/lana-del-rey-born-die-review
  11. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/06/new-lana-del-rey-song_n_1078536.html
  12. ↑ http://idolator.com/6119802/lana-del-rey-off-to-the-races-video
  13. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/06/new-lana-del-rey-song_n_1078536.html
  14. ↑ http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/watch_lana_del_rey_-_off_to_the_races_video/
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