"Video Games" is a song written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker and produced by Robopop in 2011. Taken from Lana's first major-label album Born to Die, the song served as the album's first single worldwide and is credited for the launch of Lana's international success.
Writing and inspiration
The song was written by Lana and Justin Parker in the same sessions as Blue Jeans. It was written about K, and how Lana watched him play video games. She has stated that it is a statement about her putting her musical career on hold for him. When creating the song, Lana had no original plans for it being released as a single, as she assumed it would struggle to gain traction.
Composition
Musically, Video Games is an 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. Lana's vocals range from E3 to A4, and the song showcases Lana using a lower vocal range than she had previously. The crescendos, as well as feathery backing vocals create a subdued and haunting atmosphere that was praised by critics.
Reference in popular culture
- 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 Lana's career.
- A remixed version of the song in the 666 Park Avenue episode "The Dead Don't Stay Dead."'
Cross-references
- Certain lyrics from the song were originally recorded in an unreleased song by Lana in 2010, Is It Wrong.
- The song is part of the K trilogy.
Official versions
- Album version 4:42
- Remastered version 4:41
- Radio edit 4:01
- Demo version 3:55
- Video version 4:46
Remixes
- 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 5:00
- 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
- We Don't Belong In Pancha Remix 5:20
- White Lies C-Mix 7:34
Music video
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Original version featuring removed clips.
Background
After recording videos for all of the tracks from Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant in the same style, Lana continued by recording this one and interlacing clips of her with old films, cartoons, paparazzi footage, and nature clips to create the video. The original video, released in July of 2011, was removed and reformatted using some new clips once Lana was signed to Stranger, due to copyright problems.
Description
The video shows Lana, 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, 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.
Look #1
Look #2
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 bestest,
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)
(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.
(Now-now you do, now you do, now you do)
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.
Open up a beer,
And say "get over here,
And play my video game."
I’m in his favorite sundress,
Watching me get all dressed,
We can all go downtown.
I say you the best best,
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,
And 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,
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.