Ride (song)

Lana Del Rey
Writer(s)	Lana Del Rey Justin Parker
Producer(s)	Rick Rubin
Released	September 25, 2012
Length	4:49 (See official versions)
From
Single(s)	"Ride"
Promotional single(s)	"Blue Velvet" "Burning Desire"
Paradise track listing
N/A
"American"

"Ride" (or "Drive") is a song by Lana Del Rey released on September 25, 2012, as the lead single off her third EP and second major release, Paradise. The song was co-written by Justin Parker, and produced by Rick Rubin.

Composition

"Ride" is soul pop ballad composed in the key of C Major, with Del Rey's vocals ranging from C3 to E5. The recording features mild cursing, but is otherwise laced with nostalgic lyrics and husky vocals.

Critical reception

"Ride" earned critical commendation from music critics. Contactmusic.com noticed the track adheres to Del Rey's trademark sound, stating that the notion of her even having a trademark after one commercially successful album indicates that "we haven't seen the last of her just yet." Of the production itself, it was said that "Ride" is more accomplished than Del Rey's previous endeavors, with the strengths of the track outshining the flaws. The reviewer concluded by saying, "All that doe-eyed “you can be my full-time daddy / baby” shtick is going to start getting a little tired pretty soon, though, we reckon."

NME blogged that the song's most significant lyric read, "I'm tired of feeling like I'm fucking crazy", while stating that the accompanying music video may be produced solely by Del Rey, as the videos for "Carmen" and "Video Games" were. In a separate review for the same publication, Eve Barlow was critical of the song, writing that Del Rey sounded like "an oversexed frog being dragged against a washboard." Pitchfork Media opined aforementioned lyric was a rare moment of raw emotion by Del Rey. Billboard wrote: "Ride' is a long, dreamy ballad that swells into full view during the chorus, when the singer declares, 'Been trying' hard not to get into trouble/But I, I've got a war in my mind… so I just ride." MTV called "Ride" a "slow burn" and "as mellow and languorous...as on her debut." Another MTV review said: "On 'Ride,' Rey sings what she knows best: loneliness, some daddy issues and day-drinking. All of this is probably a metaphor for something, but honestly, we’re still trying to figure out what those "Born to Die" tigers mean." A third review by MTV dubbed the single the number one "Must Hear" song of the week, saying, "Heaven is truly a place on Earth with you, Miss Lana." Similarities were drawn between "Ride" and work by The Killers frontman, Brandon Flowers, on his solo debut, Flamingo. Stuff said the title "Ride" was predictably pokerfaced. Cameron Matthew of Spinner noted that Del Rey "amped up on the smokey vocals" with "Ride."

Tom Breihan of Stereogum said "Ride": "moves [Del Rey] back to the power of "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" while simultaneously pushing her into a grand Adele crossover-soul-pop zone. It's really nice. There's hope for this lady yet!" Amanda Dobbins wrote on New York magazine's professional music blog, Vulture, that Del Rey is "still calling men who are not her father 'Daddy," on "Ride." Dose reviewer Leah Collins called the record "predictably morose". Complex named "Ride" the eighth best song of 2012.

Commercial performance

Ride had a moderated success, especially in Europe. The song peaked number 3 and 6 in Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia respectively). It reached number 63 in Austria, 40 in Denmark, and 56 in France. In UK it debuted at number 32 being her fourth top 40 on the chart. It peaked number 44, 35 and 20 in Germany, Ireland and Switzerland respectively. Ride debuted at number 9 in Russia. In USA, the song didn't entered the Hot 100, but it reached 26 and 21 in US Adult Alternative Songs and US Hot Rock Songs respectively. In Australia, Ride peaked number 89.

Cross-references

• The line "I just ride" is also featured in "Angels Forever, Forever Angels".
• Del Rey also tells someone "you can be my daddy" in "Put Me In a Movie" and "Be My Daddy".

Music video

Music video	Information
	Released	October 12, 2012
	Length	10:10
	Director	Anthony Mandler
	Producer	Heather Heller
	Filmed	2012
	Location
	Vevo views	85+ Million views

Background

The music video for "Ride" was produced by Anthony Mandler, making this their second video together, following "National Anthem". It was premiered at an event hosted by Del Rey at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, California, on October 10, 2012, and was released to Del Rey's Vevo channel two days later on the 12th.

Description

Introduction and monologue

The video begins with a scene of Del Rey riding on a tire swing in the middle of the desert while her voice over-narrates the monologue.

I was in the winter of my life and the men I met along the road were my only summer. At night I fell sleep with visions of myself dancing and laughing and crying with them.
Three year down the line of being on an endless world tour and my memories of them were the only things that sustained me, and my only real happy times.
I was a singer, not very popular one, who once has dreams of becoming a beautiful poet
but upon an unfortunate series of events saw those dreams dashed and divided like a million stars in the night sky that I wished on over and over again, sparkling and broken. But I really didn’t mind because I knew that it takes getting everything you ever wanted and then losing it to know what true freedom is. When the people I used to know found out what I had been doing, how I had been living- they asked me why. But there’s no use in talking to people who have a home, they have no idea what its like to seek safety in other people, for home to be wherever you lied you head.

I was always an unusual girl, my mother told me that I had a chameleon soul. No moral compass pointing me due north, no fixed personality. Just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide as wavering as the ocean. And if I said that I didn’t plan for it to turn out this way I’d be lying- because I was born to be the other woman. I belonged to no one- who belonged to everyone, who had nothing- who wanted everything with a fire for every experience and an obsession for freedom that terrified me to the point that I couldn’t even talk about- and pushed me to a nomadic point of madness that both dazzled and dizzied me.

Closing monologue

The music video concludes with another monologue. The words "die young" from the monologue are tattooed on Del Rey's finger.

Every night I used to pray that I’d find my people
And finally I did, on the open road.
We have nothing to lose, nothing to gain, nothing we desired anymore
Except to make our lives into a work of art.

Live fast, die young, be wild, and have fun.

I believe in the country America used to be.
I believe in the person I want to become,
I believe in the freedom of the open road.
And my motto is the same as ever -
"I believe in the kindness of strangers,
And when I’m at war with myself- I ride. I just ride."

Who are you?
Are you in touch with all your darkest fantasies?
Have you created a life for yourself where you’re free to experience them?
I have.
I am fucking crazy.
But I am free.

Photoshoot by Chuck Grant

Raw

Preview

MQ

Edited scan

Scan

Alternate scan

Retouched

Alternate edit

Scan, Tagged

Scan, Tagged

Tagged

Behind the scenes

Credits

Cast

• Lana Del Rey — artist
• Ian Seeberg — lover
• Scott Marlatt — lover
• Keven Peterson — lover
• Josh Kurplus — biker
• Brian Harlow — biker
• Shawn Donohue — biker
• Steve Buchanan — biker
• Will Thomas — biker

Crew

• Anthony Mandler — director
• Diamond Dave — assistant director
• Heather Heller — producer
• Kristen Loftin — production supervisor
• Benji Bamps — production designer
• Malik Syeed — director of photography
• Hassan Abdul Wahid — camera assistant
• Regina Fernandez — art coordinator
• Josh Davis — gaffer
• Demetrie Cooley — key grip
• Pamela Cochrane — makeup artist
• Anna Cofone — hair stylist
• Johnny Blueeyes — stylist
• Savannah Baker — assistant stylist

Official versions

• Album version – 4:49
• Single version – 4:46
• Radio edit – 4:12
• Instrumental – 4:47
• Music video version (with monologues) – 10:10

Lyrics

I've been out on that open road
You can be my full time daddy,
White and gold
Singing blues has been getting old
You can be my full time baby,
Hot or cold

Don't break me down
I've been travelin' too long
I've been trying too hard
With one pretty song

I hear the birds on the summer breeze,
I drive fast, I am alone in the night
Been tryin' hard not to get into trouble,
but I, I've got a war in my mind
So, I just ride, just ride,
I just ride, just ride

Dying young and I'm playing hard
That's the way my father made his life an art
Drink all day and we talk 'til dark
That's the way the road dogs do it – ride 'til dark.

Don't leave me now
Don't say good bye
Don't turn around
Leave me high and dry

I hear the birds on the summer breeze,
I drive fast, I am alone in the night
Been tryin' hard not to get into trouble,
but I, I've got a war in my mind
I just ride, just ride,
I just ride, just ride

I'm tired of feeling like I'm fucking crazy
I'm tired of driving 'til I see stars in my eyes
It's all I've got to keep myself sane, baby
So I just ride, I just ride

I hear the birds on the summer breeze,
I drive fast, I am alone in the night
Been tryin' hard not to get into trouble,
but I, I've got a war in my mind
I just ride, just ride,
I just ride, I just ride

Commerical release

Physical release

United Kingdom (3722046) (45RPM)

	Label: Polydor, Interscope Format: 7" picture disc vinyl in plastic sleeve Released: 2012 Barcode: 602537220465 Photography: Chuck Grant Design: Unknown

#	Name	Time
1.	"Ride"	4:49
2.	"Ride" (Active Child Remix)	3:44

United States (Promotional) (45RPM)

	Label: Polydor, Interscope Format: 7" picture disc vinyl in cardsleeve Released: 2012 Barcode: None Photography: Chuck Grant Design: Unknown

 

#	Name	Time
1.	"Ride"	4:49
2.	"Ride" (Active Child Remix)	3:44

Digital release

Ride - Single

	Label: Universal Music Format: Digital download Released: October 12, 2012 Barcode: None Photography: Chuck Grant Design: Unknown

#	Name	Time
1.	"Ride" (Radio Edit)	4:12
2.	"Ride"	4:49

Ride (Remixes)

	Label: Polydor Format: Digital download Released: November 19, 2012 Barcode: None Photography: Chuck Grant Design: Unknown

#	Name	Time
1.	"Ride" (SOHN Remix)	5:12
2.	"Ride" (MJ Cole Remix)	5:55
3.	"Ride" (Eli Escobar Remix)	7:52
4.	"Ride" (14th Remix)	3:43
5.	"Ride" (Wes James Remix)	4:20
6.	"Ride" (Lyla's Surprise [James Lavelle Remix])	8:13

Official remixes

• 14th Remix — 3:43
• Active Child Remix — 3:42
• Eli Escobar Remix — 7:52
• James Lavelle Remix — 11:07
• James Lavelle [Lyla's Surpise] Remix — 8:13
• Lindstrom Remix — 9:26
• MJ Cole Remix — 5:55
• Penguin Prison Remix — 5:02
• Photek Remix — 4:30
• SOHN Remix — 5:12
• Wes James Remix — 4:20

Credits

Personnel

• Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
• Justin Parker — songwriting
• Rick Rubin — production
• Jason Lader — recording, bass
• Eric Lynn & Sean Oakley — assistance
• Dan Heath — strings arrangement
• Tucker Robinson — strings recording
• Songa Lee & Kathleen Sloan — violins
• James Gadson — drums
• Zac Rae — piano, keyboards
• Andrew Scheps — mixing
• John Davis — mastering

Technical

• Published by EMI / Sony ATV (ASCAP)
• Vocals recorded at Shangri La Studios, Malibu, United States and Sarm Studios, London, United Kingdom
• Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
• Mixed at Punkerpad West, Van Nuys, United States

Charts

Chart (2012)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	89
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	63
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	6
Denmark (Tracklisten)	40
France (SNEP)	56
Germany (Official German Charts)	44
Ireland (IRMA)	35
Russia (2M)	9
Scotland (Official Charts Company)	31
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	20
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	32
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)	26
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)	21