"Diet Mountain Dew" (alternatively spelled as "Diet Mtn Dew" and originally titled "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 and composition[]
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 song to her now-defunct SoundCloud profile,[3] (produced by The Flight) and on June 13, 2011, she uploaded it to her personal YouTube channel (produced by Mike Daly).[4] In May 2010, music blog sites began posting reviews of the third demo of the song alongside speculation around Del Rey's upcoming album. The track was met with generally positive reviews.
Two snippets of a 2008 a cappella demo called "Diet Mt. Dew Baby", recorded under the pseudonym Lana Rey, leaked during 2016. The original file of the second demo, labeled as "Diet Mtn Dew Ruff 1", leaked on July 6, 2017, and according to its tags, it was produced in 2009. It was produced by Mike Daly. Another demo of the song is registered under the stage name Lizzy Grant.[5] 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.
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 they will "be in love forever."
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. 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. About the performance, she said: "Okay, I fucking hate encores, but listen. I've really never done this song live but I'm just like '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."
Del Rey performed the song live for the first time in 6 years at Terminal 5 in New York City, New York, on October 23 and 24, 2017. On October 28, 2017, Del Rey performed it again at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in Los Angeles, California. In 2018, Del Rey performed the song on January 19 in Newark, New Jersey at the LA to the Moon Tour.
Use in media[]
On November 1, 2010, the third demo of the song was used in the TV Series 90210 during 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 | June 18, 2010 |
| 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 two homemade music videos for a demo version 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. It is ultimately the same as the first version with the exception of certain shots being cut differently, and clips that were originally black and white now being color.
Cross-references[]
- Being high/an overarching theme of drug use similarly appears in "Try Tonight", "Boarding School" and "You & Me", including 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 reference to "Axl Rose Husband".
- The third demo version references "dope and diamonds," a phrase in "Money Power Glory".
- "Hit me and tell me you're mine" is a variation of "hit me and it felt like a kiss," present in "Ultraviolence" and "Beautiful Player".
- The phrase "divine" is also used in "Summer of Sam", "Old Money" and "Guns and Roses", among others.
- Del Rey references "Ride" by saying "'cause we gonna take a ride".
- Jesus & religion are prevalent topics throughout Del Rey's music; is directly mentioned in "Trash Magic", "I Talk to Jesus", and "Body Electric", and was a main character in her 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".
- "Give me them, give me them...." is already repeatedly sung in "Off to the Races."
- The song shares many lyrics with "Beach Boys", more particularly the "Diet Mt. Dew Baby" version.
- 7-Eleven is also mentioned in "Motel 6".
- References to Pontiacs are found in "Axl Rose Husband", "1949", and in "Motel 6" Jeff Peretz version.
- 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 — 3:46
- Demo version 1 (produced by Crispin Hunt) — 3:45
- "Diet Mtn Dew" demo version 2 (produced by Mike Daly) — 4:31
- Demo version 3 (produced by The Flight) — 3:39
- "Diet Mt. Dew Baby" a cappella concept demo — 1:05
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 hit 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 waiting 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 alright
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 hit 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 hit 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, stopping 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
Can we hit 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
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 one[]
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 alright
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?
(You're no good for me)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
(Baby, you're no good for me)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
(You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
(But, baby, I want you, I want)
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
(You're no good for me)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
(Baby, you're no good for me)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
(You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
(But, baby, I want you, I want you)
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
(Want you, I want you, I want you)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
(I want you, 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)
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
(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 Mtn Dew" demo version two[]
(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 hit 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 waiting 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 alright
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 hit 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 hit 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 hit 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)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
(Baby, you're no good for me)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
(You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
(But baby, I want you, I want)
Do you think we'll be in love?
(You're no good for me)
Baby's stopping at 7-Eleven
(Baby, you're no good for me)
There in his White Pontiac Heaven
(You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
(But baby, I want you, I want)
Do you think we'll be in love?
(You're no good for me)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
(Baby, you're no good for me)
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
(You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
(But baby, I want you, I want)
Do you think we'll be in love?
(You're no good for me)
Diet Mountain Dew, baby, New York City
(Baby, you're no good for me)
Can we hit it now, low down and gritty?
(You're no good for me)
Do you think we'll be in love forever?
(But baby, I want you, I want)
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'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 three[]
(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?
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 another lie?
Says he's gonna teach me just what fast is
Say it's gonna be alright
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 hit 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 hit 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's stopping 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 hit 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?
"Diet Mt. Dew Baby" a cappella 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
I knew I heard it, so surprised
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 so pretty
Do you wanna get low down and gritty?
Do you wanna go back out again?
And I am all I want to be
I try and I believe
Credits[]
- Personnel
- Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
- Mike Daly — songwriting, vocal production
- Emile Haynie — production, drums, additional keyboards
- Jeff Bhasker — co-production, keyboards, guitar
- Larry Gold — strings arrangement and conduction
- Steve Tirpak — strings assistance
- Ken Lewis and Brent Kolatalo — additional drums
- Manny Marroquin — mixing
- Erik Madrid and Chris Galland — assistance
- John Davis — mastering
- Technical
- Published by BMG Chrysalis / EMI
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
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. May 19, 2010. Archived from the original on May 30, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100530082249/http://soundcloud.com/lanadelrey.
- ↑ Lana Del Rey (June 13, 2011). "LANA DEL REY ~ DIET MTN DEW". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u89_AiQu9BQ. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ↑ HFA Song code: D4397W
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