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"Dark Paradise" (also registered as "Year of Summer" and "Paradise",[1] but not to be confused with the two songs of same name) is a song from Lana Del Rey's debut major-label album, Born to Die. It was written with Rick Nowels, with production fronted by Emile Haynie and co-production by Nowels. It was released as the album's sixth single on March 1, 2013, exclusively in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Writing and inspiration[]

The song is thought by fans to be written about Del Rey's past lover K and his death, although this is not definitely confirmed. There are some themes in the track that can provide evidence to this theory, though. The song contains references to Del Rey's love of someone who has passed away, and her desire to join him.

Del Rey originally recorded a demo of the song containing differed lyrics and production while working on Born to Die. This version was recorded on September 24, 2011, in New York, and was produced by Björn Yttling.[2] Del Rey and Yttling wrote the verses and recorded the drums in a two-hour session. Lyrically and sonically, the second demo is similar to the radio mix.

The song is rumored to have over 100 mixes.[S 1]

The song's radio mix is reportedly a finished demo from sessions with Rick Nowels.[S 2]

Composition[]

The song follows a similar sound to other songs on Born to Die, with orchestral production and a mid-tempo ballad structure. It contains male background vocals of a spoken line from a live performance of "Mary Jane" by Rick James, also heard in "Lolita", "Blue Jeans", "Without You" and "National Anthem". It has a tempo of 120 beats-per-minute, making it one of the fastest songs on the album. The key of the song is C♯ minor.

Critical reception[]

The song garnered mixed reviews from critics. Most critical reviews came from the melodramatic tone of the song, along with the lyrical content and repetitive production. Billboard gave the song a negative review, saying that "fatigue sets in" when this song comes up on the album, and that the song "would be a subpar ballad for Del Rey" even if she had never released "Blue Jeans" or "Video Games".[3] Jaime Gill from BBC Music used the song as an example as why Born to Die isn't perfect, saying that "it slumps slightly towards the end, and the glossy trip-hop production grows wearying on lesser [G]othic melodramas like Dark Paradise."[4] David Edwards from Drowned in Sound said along with "Carmen" that they weren't the best tracks on the album, saying "The dreary fallen angel whimsy of ‘Carmen’ sums up precisely the unfocused drift that critics often use to malign her and on songs such as ‘Dark Paradise’, the caricature extends beyond our empathy."[5]

On the other hand, many critics believed that the criticism towards the song attracted it as a standout towards the album. Los Angeles Times named it among the best tracks on the album along with "Video Games" and "Summertime Sadness".[6] MuuMuse highlighted the album as a standout, saying "Yet beneath the song’s gothic exterior lies an deeply romantic sentiment, suggesting that love trumps all circumstances–even death [...]"[7]

Live performances[]

"Dark Paradise" was performed for the first known time at The Glasslands Gallery on September 14, 2011, before the release of Born to Die. This live performance features alternate lyrics. A short clip of the performance exists online.[8] Del Rey performed the song on various dates of the 2013 Paradise Tour, and earlier. On April 2, 2018, in Sydney, Australia, a brief a cappella of the song was performed, and again on April 13 in Rome, Italy per crowd request, as part of the LA to the Moon Tour.

Use in media[]

On October 15, 2013, the song was used for the TV series The Originals in the episode "Tangled Up In Blue".[9]

Cross-references[]

Music video[]

During an interview on June 21, 2012, Del Rey stated that she planned to record a music video for the song for release in September, but the video did not come to fruition.

Official versions[]

  • Album version — 4:03
    • Instrumental version — 4:00
  • Radio mix — 3:52
  • Demo version 1 (produced by Björn Yttling) — 2:26
  • Demo version 2 — 3:58
  • Paradise Tour version — 4:52

Lyrics[]

Album version[]

All my friends tell me I should move on
I'm lying in the ocean singing your song
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you sing it
Loving you forever can't be wrong
Even though you're not here, won't move on
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how we played it

And there's no remedy for memory
Your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me
That everything is fine, but I wish I was dead
(Dead like you)

Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side

All my friends ask me why I stay strong
Tell 'em when you find true love, it lives on
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's why I stay here

And there's no remedy for memory
Your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me
That everything is fine, but I wish I was dead
(Dead like you)

Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
But there's no you, except in my dreams tonight

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight

There's no relief, I see you in my sleep
And everybody's rushing me but I can feel you touching me
There's no release, I feel you in my dreams
Telling me I’m fine

Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side
(So, tell me)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
But there's no you, except in my dreams tonight

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight

Demo version one[]

I got the ice, you got the fire
I got the stuff to take you higher
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you played it

I got the brains, you got the money
This is a race, let's go fast, honey
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you played it

C'mon, pretty baby, I'll be takin' you down
They say you got crazy like all over town

Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
But there's no you, except in my dreams tonight

I got the brains, you got the money
This is a race, let's go fast, honey
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you played it

C'mon, pretty baby, I'll be takin' you down
They say you got crazy like all over town

Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
But there's no you, except in my dreams tonight

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight

Demo version two[]

All my friends tell me I should move on
I'm lying in the ocean singing your song
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you sing it
Loving you forever can't be wrong
Even though you're not here, won't move on
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's how you played it

And there's no remedy for memory
Your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me
That everything is fine, but I wish I was dead
(Dead like you)

Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side

Oh-oh-oh-oh-hah-hah-hah-hah
I don't want to wake up from this tonight

All my friends ask me why I stay strong
Tell 'em when you find true love, it lives on
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah"
That's why I stay here

Cause there's no remedy for memory
Your face is like a melody
It won't leave my head
Your soul is haunting me and telling me
That everything is fine, but I wish I was dead
(Dead like you)

Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
But there's no you, except in my dreams tonight

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't want to wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't want to wake up from this tonight

There's no relief, I see you in my sleep
And everybody's rushing me, but I can feel you touching me
There's no release, I feel you in my dreams
Telling me I'm fine

Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side
(So tell me)
Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
But there's no you, except in my dreams tonight

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't want to wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't want to wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't want to wake up from this tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ha, ha, ha, ha
I don't want to wake up from this tonight

Commercial release[]

Digital release[]

Dark Paradise - Single
Dark Paradise Cover Label: Universal Music
Format: Digital download
Released: March 1, 2013
Barcode: None
Photography: Nicole Nodland
Design: Unknown
Dark Paradise (Parov Stelar Remix) - Single
Parov Stelar Remix Label: Universal Music
Format: Digital download
Released: 2013
Barcode: None
Photography: Nicole Nodland
Design: Unknown

Physical release[]

Germany (LC-14513)
Dark Paradise Cover Label: Vertigo
Format: CD in slimcase
Released: March 1, 2013
Barcode: 0602537325719
Photography: Nicole Nodland
Design: Unknown    

DP1

Official remixes[]

  • Parov Stelar Remix — 4:21

Promotional release[]

Dark Paradise CD by Vertigo in Germany[]

Credits[]

Personnel
  • Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
  • Rick Nowels — songwriting, co-production, guitar
  • Emile Haynie — production, drums, keyboards
  • Larry Gold — strings arrangement and conduction
  • Steve Tirpak — strings assistance
  • Maria Vidal — additional vocals
  • Patrick Warren — chamberlain strings
  • Devrim Karaoglu — additional synths, orchestral drums, production (Radio Mix)
  • Dean Reid — pads
  • Manny Marroquin — mixing
  • Erik Madrid & Chris Galland — mixing assistance
  • John Davis — mastering
  • Björn Yttling — songwriting, production (Demo Version 1)
Technical
  • Published by EMI
  • Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom

Charts[]

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Germany (Official German Charts)[10] 45
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[11] 5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] 48
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[13] 42

References[]

  1. https://eservices.sabam.be/pls/apex/f?p=1050:2::::RP,2:P2_WRK_ID,P2_WRK_ID_AV:5923158525,NULL&cs=3IUGCBmVIlArlcHA0BDMZ_dmSdF2ARHlHgh9B3HAKEgmaf1pJTWQ777uqmvQi_TNyb4MtqKc89Dg50m8dghbXxA
  2. "Bjorn Yttling and Lana Del Ray (sic) at The Cutting Room Studios". The Cutting Room. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111206105519/http://thecuttingroom.com:80/bjorn-yttling-and-lana-del-ray-at-the-cutting-room-studios/.
  3. "Lana Del Rey’s ‘Born To Die’: Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. January 25, 2012. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lana-del-reys-born-to-die-track-by-track-review-1067142/. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  4. Gill, Jaime. "Review of Lana Del Rey - Born to Die". BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/qrnv/. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  5. Edwards, David (November 16, 2012). "Album Review: Lana Del Rey - Born to Die - The Paradise Edition". DrownedInSound. https://drownedinsound.com/releases/17344/reviews/4145754. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  6. Roberts, Randall (January 27, 2012). "Album review: Lana Del Rey's 'Born to Die'". Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/pop-hiss/story/2012-01-27/album-review-lana-del-reys-born-to-die. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  7. Stern, Bradley. "Lana Del Rey: Born To Die (Album Review)". MuuMuse. http://muumuse.com/2012/01/lana-del-rey-born-to-die-album-review.html/. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  8. hipsterrunoffbro (September 15, 2011). "Lana Del Rey LIVE debut at Glasslands (1)". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBlZEVEZKfs. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  9. lizzieanniebally (August 31, 2014). "The Originals Best Music Moment: "Dark Paradise" by Lana Del Rey-s1e3 Tangled Up In Blue". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzdPJ2o7L1I. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  10. http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Lana+Del+Rey/?type=single
  11. http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/top/archiwum.php?year=2013&idlisty=983#title
  12. http://www.swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Lana+Del+Rey&titel=Dark+Paradise&cat=s
  13. http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Lana+Del+Rey&titel=Dark+Paradise&cat=s

Notes[]

  1. This is speculation and should not be relied upon. It has not been confirmed by any official sources, but has been reported by BlackoutZone, who is considered a reliable insider by the community.
  2. This is speculation and should not be relied upon. It has not been confirmed by any official sources, but has been reported by BlackoutZone, who is considered a reliable insider by the community.


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