"Old Money" is a song by Lana Del Rey written with Robbie Fitzsimmons and Dan Heath. It is featured as the tenth track on Del Rey's second major-label studio album, Ultraviolence.
Background and composition[]
"Old Money" is a ballad that runs at 4 minutes and 31 seconds with a beats per minute of approximately 115, in B♭ minor and 4/4. It is a melodic and lyrical development of the song "Methamphetamines" which in itself is melodically based on "What Is a Youth" (or "Love Theme From Romeo and Juliet") by Nino Rota. The song has a simple production featuring only layered vocals, piano and a string ensemble.
Del Rey talked about the song in a track-by-track commentary for Ultraviolence, saying:
- "'Old Money' is probably is probably one of the tracks on the record that's the most idyllic of them all. It's more based in kind of fantastical snapshots I have of being on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. Like I was channeling something. It's really my oldest track on the record 'cause it's a song that's been in the works for about 5 years. It was called 'Methamphetamines' at first. And what's funny is I had to talk to my publishing company because I didn't know that I was referencing a melody from the original score of 'Romeo and Juliet' from I think the 60's, and it was so similar that, you know, half of the publishing belongs to them as well now. But obviously I was channeling something really nostalgic for me. It's also one of my favorite tracks."
The song was recorded late 2012, after the release of Del Rey's third studio EP Paradise in September of that year, indicating it was one of the earliest songs recorded for Ultraviolence.[S 2] The title of the song can be seen in a January 2013 photo of Del Rey in the studio, with her written notes partially visible in the background.[1] Another version of the song was produced by Jamie xx in 2013.[S 1][S 3]
After being prompted by a fan to do so, Del Rey sang a snippet of the song during an Instagram livestream on October 20, 2017.[2]
A demo version of the song leaked on March 30, 2023. The a cappella file of this demo leaked on July 13, 2025. This file was titled "Old Money gpa002", which alludes to the vocals being arranged by Graham Archer.
Critical reception[]
"Old Money" was met with a positive reaction from critics, with many praising Del Rey for her wistful vocal performance.[3] Victoria Sadler of HuffPost spoke highly of the track, deeming the song a "beautiful, wistful and bittersweet song about lost youth", and said that the song "plucks at the heartstrings".[4] Joe Goggins of Drowned in Sound opined that the song was a highlight of Ultraviolence. Goggins further commended Del Rey, by saying, "A sparse piano aside, it's the only backing she needs to deliver the closest thing Ultraviolence has to a 'Video Games'". Sasha Geffen of Consequence of Sound pondered whether the song was a reference to the The Great Gatsby, as Del Rey's song "Young and Beautiful" is from the film's soundtrack.[5] Geffen clarified that the song "sounds like it's sung through Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby's lost love whose story was only ever told by the men around her".[5] Geffen praised Del Rey, stating, "In a way, Del Rey lends even more life to that character than Carey Mulligan did on camera", and closed her review by calling the track an "essential track" on Ultraviolence.[5]
Live performances[]
Del Rey performed the song live for the first time on July 5, 2014, at the Vida Festival in Spain as an a cappella clip due to audience request. The song was also included in the set list for October 2014 portion of the Paradise Tour. In 2015, Del Rey performed an a cappella clip of the song in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the Endless Summer Tour on June 14, and in 2016 she performed it again at the Corona Capital festival in Mexico on November 20. In 2018, Del Rey performed the song a cappella on January 21, 2018, and the remaining January dates of the LA to the Moon Tour.
Cross-references[]
- Blue hydrangeas are also mentioned in "Axl Rose Husband", "Elvis", and "Greenwich".
- Kids are also mentioned in "Blue Banisters", "Love", "Never Let Me Go", and "Ultraviolence".
- Del Rey refers to herself as the "queen of New York" in "Party Girl", "Summer of Sam" and "Us Against the World".
- New York is also mentioned in "Diet Mountain Dew", "Hit It & Run", "How to Disappear", "St. Tropez", "Ultraviolence", and in the poem "LA Who Am I to Love You", among several others.
- Long Island is also mentioned in "Zodiac".
- White sunshine is also mentioned in "13 Beaches".
- "Will you still love me when I shine from words but not from beauty?" is a reference to "Young and Beautiful".
- Del Rey also mentions feeling alone in "Born to Die".
- The phrase "where'd you go?" also appears in "Dear Elliot".
- Vine, a street in Los Angeles, is also referenced in "Burning Desire", "Every Man Gets His Wish", and "Happiness Is a Butterfly".
- Del Rey also references her mother in "My Momma", "Aviation", "Black Bathing Suit", "Wildflower Wildfire", and in the poem "LA Who Am I to Love You".
- A red racing car is also mentioned in "Chemtrails over the Country Club".
- Cash is also mentioned in "Hundred Dollar Bill". It's referred to as money in "Money Power Glory", "Dealer", "Swan Song", "Money Hunny", "Religion", and "Pawn Shop Blues".
Official versions[]
- Album version – 4:31
- Instrumental version – 4:29
- Demo version – 5:00
- A cappella version – 4:57
Lyrics[]
Album version[]
Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine
Cashmere, cologne, and white sunshine
Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine
The kids were young and pretty
Where have you been? Where did you go?
Those summer nights seem long ago
And so is the girl you used to call
The queen of New York City
But if you send for me, you know I'll come
And if you call for me, you know I'll run
I'll run to you, I'll run to you, I'll run, run, run
I'll come to you, I'll come to you, I'll come, come, come
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ahh, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
The power of youth is on my mind
Sunsets, small town, I'm out of time
Will you still love me when I shine
From words but not from beauty?
My father's love was always strong
My mother's glamour lives on and on
Yet, still inside, I felt alone
For reasons unknown to me
But if you send for me, you know I'll come
And if you call for me, you know I'll run
I'll run to you, I'll run to you, I'll run, run, run
I'll come to you, I'll come to you, I'll come, come, come
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ahh, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
And if you call, I'll run, run, run
If you change your mind, I'll come, come, come
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ahh, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine
Cashmere, cologne, and hot sunshine
Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine
And we were young and pretty
Demo version[]
Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine
Cashmere, cologne, and white sunshine
Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine
The kids were young and pretty
Where have you been? Where did you go?
Those summer nights seem long ago
And so is the girl you used to call
The queen of New York City
But if you send for me, you know I'll come
And if you call for me, you know I'll run
I'll run to you, I'll run to you, I'll run, run, run
I'll come to you, I'll come to you, I'll come, come, come
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ahh, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
The power of youth is on my mind
Sunsets, small town, I'm out of time
Will you still love me when I shine
From words but not from beauty?
My father's love was always strong
My mother's glamour lives on and on
Yet, still inside, I felt alone
For reasons unknown to me
But if you send for me, you know I'll come
And if you call for me, you know I'll run
I'll run to you, I'll run to you, I'll run, run, run
I'll come to you, I'll come to you, I'll come, come, come
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ahh, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
And if you call, I'll run, run, run
If you change your mind, I'll come, come, come
Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ahh, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Blue hydrangea, cold cash divine
Cashmere, cologne, and hot sunshine
Red racing cars, Sunset and Vine
And we were young and pretty
Where have you been? Where did you go?
Long Island shores seem long ago
And so is that girl you used to call
The queen of New York City
Credits[]
- Personnel[a]
- Lana Del Rey – songwriting, vocals
- Dan Heath – songwriting, production, arranging
- Robbie Fitzsimmons – songwriting
- Milton Gutiérrez – engineering
- Andy Zisakis – engineering assistance
- Robert Orton – mixing
- Matthew McGaughey – orchestration
- John Davis – mastering
- Technical
- Published by Songs Publishing / Sony / ATV Music Publishing
- Strings recorded at The Bridge Studio, Los Angeles, California
- Mixed at Hot Rock Studios, Santa Monica, California
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
References[]
Notes[]
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