Video Games (song)

Lana Del Rey
Writer(s)	Lana Del Rey Justin Parker
Producer(s)	Robopop
Alternate producer(s)	Justin Parker
Recorded	July 17, 2010 (demo) February 2011 (album version)
Released	October 7, 2011
Length	4:42 (See official versions)
From
Single(s)	"Video Games" "Born to Die" "Blue Jeans" "Summertime Sadness" "National Anthem" "Dark Paradise"
Promotional single(s)	"Off to the Races" "Carmen"
Singles chronology
"Video Games"
"Born to Die"
Born to Die track listing
"Blue Jeans"
"Diet Mountain Dew"

"Video Games" is a song written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker and produced by Robopop in 2011. Taken from Del Rey's first major-label album, Born to Die, the song served as the album's first and lead single worldwide and is credited for the launch of Del Rey's international success. The song was officially released as a single on October 7, 2011, as her debut single.

Writing and inspiration

The song was written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker in the same sessions as "Blue Jeans" during the summer of 2010. It was written about how Del Rey watched her then-boyfriend play video games. In an interview for British online magazine The Quietus, Del Rey stated that the inspiration for the song came from her ex-boyfriend, commenting, "I think we came together because we were both outsiders. It was perfect. But I think with that contentment also comes sadness. There was something heavenly about that life – we'd go to work and he'd play his video games – but also it was maybe too regular. "She has stated that it is a statement about her putting her musical career on hold for him. When creating the song, Del Rey had no plans for it to be released as a single, as she assumed it would struggle to gain traction.

Josh Kemp, one of Del Rey's supposed ex-boyfriends, is said to have been the inspiration behind the song, as rumored for years. He seemingly alluded to the fact that it was his obsession with World of Warcraft that led to the writing of the song. On Instagram, he shared a live recording of Del Rey performing the track and commented, “When your World of Warcraft addiction turns from self deprecating, anti-social depression into iconic and legendary... embrace your darkness...you never know who’s watching.” Del Rey has also mentioned that all the men in her life have been consumed by World of Warcraft in a 2012 interview with MTV Buzzworthy.

About the songwriting, Del Rey on 2011 told Dazed Digital:

"The verse was about the way things were with one person, and the chorus was the way that I wished things had really been with another person, who I thought about for a long time. That was what happened, you know? He’d come home and I’d see him. But then the chorus wasn’t like that. That was the way that I wished it was – the melody sounds so compelling and heavenly because I wanted it to be that way. The verse is more matter-of-fact because that’s how it was. It’s a mix of memories and the way I wished it could have been".

Composition

Musically, "Video Games" is a down-tempo ballad song with highly orchestrated instrumentation. It is composed in the key of F♯ minor, and is in common time with a tempo of around 60 beats per minute. Instrumentally, the song features pizzicato strings, swathing strings, harps, and violins. The song lacks any major percussion instruments but does feature minor thumping in the latter half. Del Rey's vocals range from E₃ to A₄, and the song showcases her using a lower vocal range than she had used previously. The crescendos, as well as feathery backing vocals, create a subdued and haunting atmosphere that was praised by critics. Both official (wet one) and dry (with unaltered vocals) a cappellas were leaked on July 30, 2018.

Critical reception

"Video Games" was met with critical acclaim from music critics. Following the release of the single, Ian Cohen dubbed the song "Best New Music" on Pitchfork commenting, "on her stirring debut single, New York singer-songwriter Lizzy Grant transforms into the more bombastically named Lana Del Rey and absolutely wallows in it." Digital Spy writer Robert Copsey noted Del Rey "combines a near-identical [Nancy Sinatra] vocal with her own fascination for the tragically glamorous — or 'Hollywood sadcore' as she succinctly labels it." Lewis Corner, also of Digital Spy, said, "New York-born, London-based Lana Del Rey is currently working on her debut album, but if this newly released preview track/video is anything to go by, it's going to be avant-garde pop at its very best." Alexis Petridis of The Guardian considered "Video Games" the best song of 2011 and added, "It's tempting to say with a song that good it doesn't matter who sings it, but that's not strictly true. As pop divas who collaborate with Eg White go, Lana Del Rey sounds hugely understated."

In a poll performed by NME, readers ranked it as the tenth-best song of the year. Maura Johnston of The Village Voice, however, called the song and the accompanying music video overproduced, while New York magazine contributor Amanda Dobbis commented that "it's hard to totally separate Del Rey's looks from the criticism that's been bubbling around her." In responses to this controversy, Paste '​s Luke Larson said, "when 'Video Games' first hit the web, people weren’t freaking out about Lana Del Rey or fake lips or Lizzy Grant. People were freaking out because they had stumbled upon a fresh voice and a beautifully written song and ultimately, does the rest really matter?" Krystina Nellis of Drowned in Sound said the single reminded her of something from a David Lynch movie.

The Village Voice'​s Pazz & Jop annual critics' poll ranked "Video Games" at number seven to find the best music of 2011, tied with Britney Spears's "Till the World Ends". The British magazine NME named "Video Games" the best single of 2011. In 2018, "Video Games" was listed as #13 on National Public Radio's '200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women' list. Pitchfork placed "Video Games" at #9 on their '200 Best Songs of the 2010s' list in 2019. "Video Games" also won 'Song of the Decade' award at the 2019 Q Awards.

Use in media

The song was used in an episode of the CW show, Ringer, "If You Ever Want a French Lesson...". It is often highlighted as a proponent to the launch of Del Rey's career.

A remixed version of the song in the 666 Park Avenue episode "The Dead Don't Stay Dead."

The song was used in the TV show Gossip Girl episode "I Am Number Nine" (Season 5, Episode 6).

The song was sung by Neil Patrick Harris, Snoop Dogg, Samuel L. Jackson, and Zachary Levi in a commercial for Spike's Video Game Awards.

On June 26, 2022, an instrumental cover version of the song was released by composer Ramin Djawadi for the HBO's Westworld fourth season.

Music video

Music video	Information
	Released	August 19, 2011 & October 16, 2011
	Length	4:46
	Director	Lana Del Rey
	Producer	Lana Del Rey
	Filmed	February, 2011
	Location	Unknown
	Vevo views	276+ Million views

Music video	Information
	Released	July, 2011
	Length	4:52
	Director	Lana Del Rey
	Producer	Lana Del Rey
	Filmed	February, 2011
	Location	Unknown
	Vevo views	N/A

Music video	Information
	Released	July, 2011
	Length	4:52
	Director	Lana Del Rey
	Producer	Lana Del Rey
	Filmed	February, 2011
	Location	Unknown
	Vevo views	N/A

Background

After recording videos for the tracks from Lana Del Ray in the same style, Del Rey continued by recording this one and interlacing clips of her with old films, cartoons, paparazzi footage, and nature clips to create the video. The first two original videos, released in July 2011, were removed and reformatted using some new clips once Del Rey was signed to Stranger, due to copyright issues. Del Rey uploaded the video on her personal YouTube channel on August 19, 2011, and it was uploaded on her Vevo channel on October 16, 2011.

Description

The video shows Del Rey with her hair in a similar style to that of Jackie Kennedy, wearing a white top and a yellow & black shirt, and shows her with various colorizations added to her shots. The clips in the video show San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, amongst others, as well as specific shots of the Chateau Marmont and various billboards around L.A. A prominent scene featured throughout the video is that of an intoxicated Paz De La Huerta, an actress, stumbling. Many scenes of a man and woman on a moped, dancing, kissing, and jumping in a pool are a main focus of the video. The original video also included many shots of cartoons and orchestras, but these were removed in the final edition.

Cross-references

• A bar is also mentioned in "Bartender", "For K (Part 2)", "Groupie Love", "Happiness Is a Butterfly" and "Oh Say Can You See".
• A beer is also mentioned in "Blue Banisters" and "How to Disappear".
• Bad girl[s] are also mentioned in "Black Bathing Suit" and "Sad Girl".
• Certain lyrics from the song were originally recorded in "Is It Wrong".
• Different variations of the lyric "Heaven is a place on Earth with you" can be found in other songs. "Heaven is on Earth" is a phrase in "Ultraviolence", "Heaven is a place called Earth on your arm" is a phrase in "Match Made in Heaven" and "don't you want Heaven here on Earth?" is a phrase from "Put Your Lips Together".
• "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" is the name of the 1987 song by Belinda Carlisle. A song that coincidentally was written and produced by Del Rey frequent collaborator Rick Nowels.
• Fast cars are also mentioned in "California" and "Children of the Bad Revolution".
• Perfume is also mentioned in "Off to the Races" and "The Other Woman".
• Stars are also mentioned in "Damn You", "Dynamite", "Lucky Ones", "Prom Song (Gone Wrong)", "Ride", and "Starry Eyed", among several others.
• Swinging is also mentioned in "Groupie Love" and "West Coast".
• The song is a part of the "K" trilogy within the album Born to Die. The other two songs in this trilogy are "Blue Jeans" and "Born to Die".
• The song is referenced in "Beautiful People Beautiful Problems", which was also co-written with Justin Parker.
• The lyric "Blue dark" is also mentioned in "Honeymoon" (as "dark blue").
• The lyric "I'm in his favorite sundress" is similar to a lyric found in "On Our Way".
• The lyric "I tell you all the time" is also mentioned in "Hey Blue Baby".
• The lyric "Take that body downtown" is also mentioned in "National Anthem".

Official versions

• Album version — 4:42
  • Instrumental version — 4:45
  • A cappella version — 4:45
  • Dry a cappella version — 4:26
• Remastered version — 4:41
• Unmastered version — 4:06
• Radio edit — 4:01
• Demo version — 3:55
• Music video version — 4:46
• Unmastered demo version — 4:32
• DJ version — 5:12
• Paradise Tour version — 4:41

Lyrics

Album version

Swinging in the backyard
Pull up in your fast car
Whistling my name
Open up a beer
And you say, "Get over here
And play a video game"

I'm in his favorite sundress
Watching me get undressed
Take that body downtown
I say, "You the best-est"
Lean in for a big kiss
Put his favorite perfume on

Go play a video game

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do, hmm

Singing in the old bars
Swinging with the old stars
Living for the fame
Kissing in the blue dark
Playing pool and wild darts
Video games

He holds me in his big arms
Drunk and I am seeing stars
This is all I think of
Watching all our friends fall
In and out of Old Paul's
This is my idea of fun
Playing video games

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls honey
Is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do, hmm

(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)

Radio edit

Swinging in the backyard
Pull up in your fast car
Whistling my name
Open up a beer
And you say, "Get over here
And play a video game"

I'm in his favorite sundress
Watching me get undressed
Take that body downtown
I say, "You the best-est"
Lean in for a big kiss
Put his favorite perfume on

Go play a video game

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls honey
Is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

Singing in the old bars
Swinging with the old stars
Living for the fame
Kissing in the blue dark
Playing pool and wild darts
And video games

He holds me in his big arms
Drunk and I am seeing stars
This is all I think of
Watching all our friends fall
In and out of Old Paul's
This is my idea of fun
Playing video games

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls honey
Is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do

(Now, now you do)
(Now you do)
(Now you do)

Demo version

Swinging in the backyard
Pull up in your fast car
Whistling my name
You open up a beer
And you say, "Get over here
And play my video game"

I'm in his favorite sundress
Watching me get all dressed
We gonna go downtown
I say, "You're the best, best"
Lean in for a big kiss
Put his favorite perfume on

Go play your video game

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
And baby, now you do, mmm

Singing in the old bars
Swinging with the old stars
Living for the fame
Kissing in the blue dark
Playing pool and wild darts
Video games

He holds me in his big arms
Drunk and I am seeing stars
This is all I think of
Watching all our friends fall
In and out of Old Paul's
This is my idea of fun
Playing video games

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
And baby, now you do

It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on Earth with you
Tell me all the things you wanna do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey
Is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
And baby, now you do

Commercial release

Physical releases

United Kingdom (2783433)

(45RPM)

	Label: Stranger Format: 7" picture disc vinyl in plastic sleeve Released: 2011 Barcode: 00602527834337 Photography: Nicole Nodland Design: Unknown

#	Name	Time
1.	"Video Games" (Radio Edit)	4:01
2.	"Blue Jeans"	3:31

United States (INTR-12733-2)

	Label: Stranger Format: CD in jewel case Released: 2011 Barcode: 602527893242 Photography: Nicole Nodland Design: Unknown

#	Name	Time
1.	"Video Games" (Radio Edit)	4:01
2.	"Blue Jeans"	3:31

United States (INTR-12736-7)

(45RPM)

	Label: Polydor, Interscope Format: 7" vinyl in cardsleeve Released: TBA Barcode: TBA Photography: Nicole Nodland Design: Unknown

#	Name	Time
1.	"Video Games" (Joy Orbison Remix)	5:01
2.	"Blue Jeans" (Odd Future's The Internet Remix)	4:00

Digital releases

Video Games Remixes - EP

	Label: Polydor, Interscope Format: Digital download Released: February 28, 2012 Barcode: None Photography: Nicole Nodland Design: Unknown

#	Name	Time
1.	"Video Games" (Club Clique for The Bad Girls Remix)	4:57
2.	"Video Games" (Jakwob and Etherwood Remix)	3:42
3.	"Video Games" (White Lies C-Mix)	7:32
4.	"Video Games" (Jamie Woon Remix)	5:14
5.	"Video Games" (We Don't Belong In Pacha Remix)	5:19

Official remixes

• Adrian Lux & Blende Remix — 6:03
• Adrian Lux & Blende Remix Radio Edit — 2:42
• Bassflow Remake — 3:53
• Club Clique For The Bad Girls Remix — 5:00
• Helium Robots Remix — 4:52
• Jakwob & Etherwood Remix — 3:43
• Jamie Woon Remix — 5:14
• Joy Orbison Remix — 5:01
• Larry "Mr. Fingers" Heard Remix — 9:01
• Larry "Mr. Fingers" Heard Edit — 9:00
• Omid 16B Remix — 5:14
• Omid 16B Radio Edit — 4:07
• Omid 16B Instrumental Mix — 5:08
• Omid 16B Instrumental Reprise — 2:35
• Rainer Weichhold & Nick Olivetti Clubmix — 7:42
• We Don't Belong In Pancha Remix — 5:20
• White Lies C-Mix — 7:34

Promotional releases

Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Vertigo in Germany, Switzerland & Austria

Front cover

Back cover

CD

Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Interscope Records in US

Back cover

CD

Video Games - The Remix EP CD by Vertigo in Germany, Switzerland & Austria

Front cover

Back cover

CD

Video Games / Blue Jeans 7" Vinyl (part of The Singles compilation) by Interscope Records and Polydor in France

Front cover

Back cover

Side A

Side B

Video Games / Blue Jeans Remix 7" Vinyl by Interscope Records in USA

Front cover

Back cover

Side A

Side B

Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Stranger Records in Europe

CD

Video Games - The Remix EP 12" Vinyl by Vertigo in Germany

Front cover

Vinyl

Side A

Side B

Video Games / Blue Jeans (Omid 16B Remixes) 12" Vinyl by Alola in UK

Front cover

Back cover

Side A

Side B

Video Games / Blue Jeans Picture 7" Vinyl by Stranger Records in UK, Europe & US

Side A

Side B

Video Games CD by Interscope Records in US

Front cover

CD

Video Games CD in Card Sleeve by Stranger Records in UK

Front cover

Back cover

CD

Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Polydor and Interscope Records in France

Back cover

CD

Video Games CD by Stranger Records in Netherlands

Back cover

CD

Video Games - Remixes CD by Stranger Records in UK

Back cover

CD

Video Games / Blue Jeans CD by Universal Music Group in Finland

CD

Video Games CD Sampler by Stranger Records in UK

Front cover

Back cover

CD

Credits

Personnel

• Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
• Justin Parker — songwriting
• Robopop — production, mixing
• John Davis — mastering

Technical

• Published by EMI / Sony ATV (ASCAP)
• Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom

Commercial performance

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2011–12) Peak position Australia (ARIA) 23 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 2 Brazil (Billboard Hot 100) 2 Brazil (Billboard Hot Pop Songs) 3 Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 72 Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100) 3 Denmark (Tracklisten) 18 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 14 France (SNEP) 2 Germany (Official German Charts) 1 Ireland (IRMA) 6 Italy (FIMI) 27 Luxembourg Digital Songs 1 Japan (Japan Hot 100) 21 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 11 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) 5 Portugal Digital Songs 5 Scotland (Official Charts Company) 10 Scotland (Official Charts Company) 10 Spain (PROMUSICAE) 33 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 56 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 2 UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 9 UK Indie (Official Charts Company) 1 US Billboard Hot 100 91 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard) 15

Year-end charts Chart (2011) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 40 France (SNEP) 60 Germany (Media Control Charts) 19 Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100) 32 Chart (2012) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 27 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 15 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 16 France (SNEP) 7 Germany (Media Control AG) 33 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 23 UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 87 All-time charts Chart Position France (SNEP) 38

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)	Platinum	70,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)	Platinum	30,000
Belgium (BEA)	Platinum	30,000
Canada (Music Canada)	Gold	40,000
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)	Platinum	90,000
Germany (BVMI)	3× Gold	450,000
Italy (FIMI)	Gold	15,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)	3× Platinum	60,000
United Kingdom (BPI)	Platinum	600,000
United States (RIAA)	Gold	500,000