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"Lust for Life" is a song by Lana Del Rey featuring The Weeknd. It is the title track from Del Rey's fifth studio album and fourth major-label studio album. It was co-written with The Weeknd, Max Martin and Rick Nowels and co-produced with Nowels, Kieron Menzies and Dean Reid, with additional production by Martin. The song was officially released as the second single from Lust for Life on April 19, 2017.

Background[]

The song was registered at ASCAP Ace Repertory under Del Rey's name during March 2017, with The Weeknd credited as a co-writer under his real name Abel Tesfaye.[1] After the song was registered, Del Rey teased the collaboration on March 26, when she tweeted The Weeknd's signature 'XO' logo,[2] and she also teased it when she included the same 'XO' logo in the Lust for Life album trailer.

The song was officially released worldwide on April 19, 2017, shortly after being premiered worldwide on BBC Radio 1.[3] The song serves as the fourth collaboration between Del Rey and The Weeknd, the first three being his tracks, "Prisoner", "Party Monster", and "Stargirl Interlude". "Lust for Life" was the first track Del Rey released that features another artist.

On August 25, 2017, two official remixes of the song, one produced by BloodPop® and one by The Avener were officially released alongside remixes for "Summer Bummer".

On August 31, 2017, the full instrumental leaked.

On January 29, 2020, a demo lasting 6 minutes was leaked on a Russian site. This version was written solely with Rick Nowels, before Max Martin's rework. At least two more demos are rumored to exist, one described as a "blade runner" version, and the other similar to the album version sans The Weeknd's contribution. Two demos of the song, the "blade runner" version and the 3rd demo, produced by Max Martin, leaked in full on October 15, 2020.

On June 11, 2020, a snippet of a supposed second demo leaked online. A second snippet of this demo leaked two days later, with the full demo leaking hours afterward. The instrumental of this demo leaked on October 3, 2020.

Lana reportedly recorded the demo for the song before Honeymoon was released. It is also rumored to have 323 different mixes.[S 1]

Writing and production[]

In an interview with Courtney Love for Dazed magazine, Del Rey opened up about writing "Lust for Life" and stated that it was the first song she wrote for the album. She loved the song but felt "it wasn't right", so while in process of finishing the song, Del Rey flew to Sweden to meet with Max Martin, who advised her to turn what had previously been a verse into the song's chorus. According to Rick Nowels: “It was one of the first songs written for the album, and we completed the first version, and it was a beautiful piece of art. It’s one of my favourite songs. During the process of making the record Lana had a meeting with Max Martin and he said: ‘That verse could be a chorus!’ — i.e. the ‘Take off your clothes’ part, which originally was a verse. There was a lot of energy in the room around making a hit single, so we rewrote it and made that the chorus of the song. In the end there were two versions of the song, with the new version ending up on the album”.[4]

Producer and engineer Dean Reid added "The original song was a long ballad with pads and vocals, and then Max’s crew rearranged it into more of a pop structure with beats, and then Lana wanted to do more of a ’50s doo-wop style spoken-word thing in the verses". Engineer Kieron Menzies gave more insight about the song's composition by saying that “The first version was more ominous, but the spoken words and Motown/Phil Spector beat in the verses gave it more of a Shangri-Las vibe and a walking-in-the-sand feeling. It also added to the future-retro thing that Lana is so fond of. Throughout the making of the album she kept talking about Blade Runner being an inspiration.”[4]

When Del Rey had returned to her main producer Rick Nowels, she felt like she really wanted The Weeknd sing the chorus, whom she is very close with and has worked with before. He "rewrote a little bit of it," but she still felt like it was missing something, so she "went back for a fourth time and layered it up with harmonies", and felt that she was finally happy with the song.[5] Nowels called the original version of the song "a beautiful art song, it’s quite touching".[6]

Commercial performance[]

Upon release, "Lust for Life" was a success for Del Rey commercially. The song quickly went to #1 on the Billboard + Twitter Trending 140 chart,[7] becoming her second consecutive single from Lust for Life to do so, and in less than 24 hours the official audio gained over 4.7 million views on YouTube. The track also peaked at #3 on the Worldwide iTunes Song Charts.

Charts[]

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 44
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 51
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[9] 17
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[10] 22
Canada (Billboard Hot 100)[11] 39
Canadian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[12] 18
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[13] 35
Finland Download (IFPI)[14] 11
France (SNEP)[15] 19
Germany (Official German Charts)[16] 65
Greece Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[17] 1
Hungary (Single Top 40)[18] 15
Iceland (RÚV)[19] 7
Ireland (IRMA)[20] 33
Italy (FIMI)[21] 58
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[22] 1
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[23] 34
Portugal (AFP)[24] 61
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[25] 29
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[26] 24
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[27] 22
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[28] 29
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 48
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[30] 38
US Billboard Hot 100[31] 64
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[32] 21
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[33] 4
US Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[34] 2

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[35] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[36] Platinum 1,000,000

Critical reception and composition[]

Composed in the key of E-flat major at a midtempo 100 beats per minute, Idolator characterized "Lust for Life" as a "witchy dream pop" song,[37] as well as describing it as a breathtakingly ambitious track with "throwback to the wall of sound production of the '60s with the lush, beautiful harmonies associated with acts like The Shangri-Las".[38] Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork called the song "the auditory equivalent of a perfume commercial, all wisps of sensations and hints of feeling".[39] At the end of 2017, Rolling Stone placed the song at number 9 on their list of the "50 Best Songs of 2017", calling it a "darkly lustrous duet".[40]

Live performances[]

Del Rey performed a solo version of the song live for the very first time on May 20, 2017, in Carson, California, for the KROQ Weenie Roast, and again on May 27, 2017, in Hull, United Kingdom, for BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. Del Rey also performed the song at her Lust for Life listening party and performance hosted by Spotify at No Vacancy in Los Angeles, California, on July 20, 2017. It was performed at various other 2017 shows and in 2018 it was included as part of the setlist for the LA to the Moon Tour.

Music video[]

Music video Information
Lana_Del_Rey_-_Lust_For_Life_(Official_Video)_ft._The_Weeknd Released May 22, 2017
Length 5:19
Director Rich Lee
Producer
Filmed April, 2017
Location California
Vevo views 177+ Million views

Background[]

After releasing an official audio video for "Lust for Life" about a month prior, on May 14, 2017, Del Rey announced that an official music video for the song would be released soon, and on May 19 she posted a teaser featuring a clip of the video on social media.[41] On May 21, Del Rey revealed that the video would be released the next day and also posted several behind-the-scenes photos taken by Neil Krug as well as another short teaser clip of the video. The official music video was uploaded to Del Rey's Vevo channel on May 22, 2017.

Description[]

The video kicks off with footage of outer space, and gradually zooms out from the center of Del Rey's eye to reveal Del Rey in a TV studio. She is wearing a red dress and performing simply choreographed moves with her two backup dancers, Alexandria Kaye and Ashley Rodriguez, who are in the background. As the track moves into the chorus, Del Rey climbs up a ladder that leads her up the "H" of the famed Hollywood sign, where The Weeknd is there to pull her to the top. The duo make the sign their playground, sitting on the edge of the letters and running all the way across, until Del Rey slides down the "D" and they both land in a field of orange flowers. To close the video, it zooms out to show the world illuminated with a large peace sign.

Photoshoot by Neil Krug[]

Behind the scenes[]

Cross-references[]

Official versions[]

  • Album version — 4:24
    • Instrumental version — 4:24
  • Radio edit — 3:40
  • Music video version — 5:19
  • Demo version 1 — 6:02 (produced by Rick Nowels)
  • Demo version 2 — 5:52
    • Instrumental version — 6:01
  • Demo version 3 ("Max Martin's demo") — 3:43 (produced by Max Martin)
  • Demo version 4 ("BladeRunner version") with The Weeknd — 4:23 (produced by Max Martin)

Lyrics[]

Album version & "BladeRunner" demo version[]

[Lana Del Rey]:
Climb up the H of the Hollywood sign (Yeah)
In these stolen moments, the world is mine (Doo-wop, doo-wop)
There's nobody here, just us together (Shoo-wop, shoo-wop)
Keeping it hot, like July forever

'Cause we're the masters of our own fate
We're the captains of our own souls
There's no way for us to complain
'Cause boy we're gold, boy we're gold
And I was like

Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all of your clothes

[The Weeknd]:
They say only the good die young
That just ain't right
'Cause we're having too much fun
Too much fun tonight
Yeah

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive

[Lana Del Rey]:
We dance on the H of the Hollywood sign (Yeah)
Till we run out of breath

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
Gotta dance till we die (Doo-wop, doo-wop)

[Lana Del Rey]:
My boyfriend's back and he's cooler than ever (Shoo-wop, shoo-wop)
There's no more night

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
Blue skies forever

[The Weeknd]:
'Cause we're the masters of our own fate
We're the captains of our own souls
So there's no need for us to hesitate
We're all alone, let's take control
And I was like

Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all of your clothes

[Lana Del Rey]:
They say only the good die young
That just ain't right
'Cause we're having too much fun
Too much fun tonight

[The Weeknd]:
Yeah

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive

[Lana Del Rey]:
My boyfriend's back and he's cooler than ever
There's no more night

[The Weeknd]:
Blue skies forever

[Lana Del Rey]:
I told you twice
In our love letter
There's no stopping now

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
Green lights forever

[Lana Del Rey]:
And I was like

Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all of your clothes

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive

Radio edit[]

[Lana Del Rey]:
Climb up the H of the Hollywood sign (Yeah)
In these stolen moments, the world is mine (Doo-wop, doo-wop)
There's nobody here, just us together (Shoo-wop, shoo-wop)
Keeping it hot, like July forever

'Cause we're the masters of our own fate
We're the captains of our own souls
There's no way for us to complain
'Cause boy we're gold, boy we're gold
And I was like

Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all of your clothes

[The Weeknd]:
They say only the good die young
That just ain't right
'Cause we're having too much fun
Too much fun tonight
Yeah

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive

[Lana Del Rey]:
We dance on the H of the Hollywood sign (Yeah)
Till we run out of breath

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
Gotta dance till we die (Doo-wop, doo-wop)

[Lana Del Rey]:
My boyfriend's back and he's cooler than ever (Shoo-wop, shoo-wop)
There's no more night

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
Blue skies forever

[The Weeknd]:
'Cause we're the masters of our own fate
We're the captains of our own souls
So there's no need for us to hesitate
We're all alone, let's take control
And I was like

Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all of your clothes

[Lana Del Rey]:
They say only the good die young
That just ain't right
'Cause we're having too much fun
Too much fun tonight

[The Weeknd]:
Yeah

[Lana Del Rey & The Weeknd]:
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive

And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
And a lust for life, and a lust for life
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive
Keeps us alive, keeps us alive

Demo versions 1 & 2[]

Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all of your clothes

They say only the good die young
That just aint us
Plus you're having too much fun
You're not in a rush

But it's funny how some things just change in a day, or even in an hour
I'm like a wild caged animal, lying by the swimming pool, losing all my power
It's funny how my life just stopped and shifted from meeting you as a stranger
Now I'm like a wild caged animal, lying by the swimming pool, trying to look for danger

But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive
But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive

Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all of your clothes

They say only the good die young
That just aint right
'Cause we're having too much fun
Too much fun tonight

But it's funny how some things just change in a day, or even in an hour
Now I'm like a wild caged animal, sitting by the swimming pool, losing all my power
It's funny how a life can change or be shaped from passing by a stranger
Now I'm like a wild caged animal, lying by the swimming pool, trying to look for danger

But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive
But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive

It's funny how some things just change in a day, or even in an hour
Now I'm like a wild caged animal, sitting by the swimming pool, losing all my power
It's funny how a life can change or be shaped from passing by a stranger
Now I'm like a wild caged animal, lying by the swimming pool, trying to look for danger

But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive
But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive

Ooh
Oh
Oh

Demo version 3 (produced by Max Martin)[]

One foot in the door
I’ve been trying
To get your attention
Is it working out yet?

Love me or love me not
I don’t care anymore
But, baby, I’ve been dying
To get your attention
And I was like

Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes

They say only the good die young
That just ain't us
Plus you're having too much fun
You're not in a rush

But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive
But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive

My boyfriend's back and he's cooler than ever
There's no more night, blue skies forever

One day or one night
I’ve been trying
To make a connection
Is it working or not?

Love me or love me not
I don’t care anymore
'Cause babe I’ve been dying
To taste your affection
And I was like

Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes
Take off, take off
Take off all your clothes

They say only the good die young
That just ain't us
Plus you're having too much fun
You're not in a rush

But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive
But my lust for life
Lust for life
Keeps me alive

My boyfriend's back and he's cooler than ever
There's no more night, blue skies forever

Commercial release[]

Digital release[]

Lust for Life - Single
LFLSingleArtwork Label: Polydor, Interscope
Format: Digital download
Released: April 19, 2017
Barcode: None
Photography: Neil Krug
Design: Uncredited
# Name Time
1. "Lust for Life" (featuring The Weeknd) 4:24
Lust for Life (BloodPop® Remix) - Single
Lust for Life Bloodpop Remix Label: Polydor, Interscope
Format: Digital download
Released: August 25, 2017
Barcode: None
Photography: Uncredited
Design: Uncredited
# Name Time
1. "Lust for Life" (featuring The Weeknd) (BloodPop® Remix) 3:22
Lust for Life (The Avener Rework) - Single
Lust for Life Avener Rework Label: Polydor, Interscope
Format: Digital download
Released: August 25, 2017
Barcode: None
Photography: N/A
Design: Uncredited
# Name Time
1. "Lust for Life" (featuring The Weeknd) (The Avener Rework) 4:12

Physical release[]

Love / Lust for Life Limited LP
L LFL3 Label: Polydor, Interscope
Format: 10" vinyl
Released: September 15, 2017
Barcode: 44292373
Photography: Neil Krug
Design: Uncredited
# Name Time
1. "Love"   4:32
2. "Lust for Life" (featuring The Weeknd) 4:24

Promotional release[]

Lust for Life CD by Polydor in France[]

Lust for Life CD by Polydor in France[]

Credits[]

Personnel
  • Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting, production
  • Abel Tesfaye — vocals, songwriting
  • Rick Nowels — songwriting, production, piano, Mellotron, synth pad
  • Max Martin — songwriting, additional production, Juno bass
  • Dean Reid — production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, bass guitar, synth guitar, vocoder, effects
  • Kieron Menzies — production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, keyboards, synthesizer, strings, tape loops
  • Jordan Stilwell & Trevor Yasuda — engineering
  • Adam Ayan — mastering
  • David Levita — electric guitar
  • Zac Rae — synthesizer
  • Ali Payami — drum programming
  • Mighty Mike — bongo
Technical
  • Published by MXM (administered by Kobalt) (ASCAP) / R-Rated Music administered by EMI April Music Rights Inc. (Global Music Rights) / Songs Music Music Publishing, LLC o/b/o Songs of SMP (ASCAP) / Sony / ATV Music Publishing (ASCAP)
  • Recorded at The Green Building, Los Angeles and Hampstead Studios, London
  • Mastered at Gateway Mastering, Portland, Maine
  • The Weeknd appears courtesy of The Weeknd XO, Inc.

External links[]

References[]

  1. ASCAP Work ID: 892211618
  2. https://twitter.com/lanadelrey/status/845893135494369281
  3. Pitchfork. "Listen to Lana Del Rey and The Weeknd's New Song 'Lust for Life'" (April 19, 2017)
  4. 4.0 4.1 https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-lana-del-rey-lust-life
  5. Dazed (April 18, 2017). ""Lana Del Rey: wild at heart"". http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/35578/1/lana-del-rey-courtney-love-lust-for-life.
  6. Genius (July 22, 2017). "Songwriter & Producer Rick Nowels Explains How Lana Del Rey’s ‘Lust For Life’ Came Together". https://genius.com/a/songwriter-producer-rick-nowels-explains-how-lana-del-rey-s-lust-for-life-came-together.
  7. http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7767668/lana-del-rey-lust-for-life-weeknd-billboard-twitter-trending-140?utm_source=twitter
  8. 8.0 8.1 http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/singles-chart
  9. http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/193d56/Lana-Del-Rey-feat.-The-Weeknd-Lust-For-Life
  10. http://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/193d56/Lana-Del-Rey-feat.-The-Weeknd-Lust-For-Life
  11. http://www.billboard.com/artist/306420/Lana+Del+Rey/chart?f=793
  12. http://www.billboard.com/artist/306420/lana-del-rey/chart?f=1186
  13. http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php
  14. http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/virallinen-lista/artistit/Lana+Del+Rey/Lust+for+Life+%28Feat.+The+Weeknd%29
  15. http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-semaine/top-singles-telecharges/?ye=2017&we=17
  16. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-1654102
  17. http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2017-05-06/greece
  18. http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/single-track-top-40-lista/2017/17
  19. http://www.ruv.is/persona/lana-del-rey
  20. http://www.irma.ie/#chartTab1
  21. http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:digital/year:2015/id:2465/page:1
  22. http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4357#all_records_extra
  23. http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/top/archiwum.php?year=2017&idlisty=2388#title
  24. http://portuguesecharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Lana+Del+Rey+feat.+The+Weeknd&titel=Lust+for+Life&cat=s
  25. http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/
  26. http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparadask/index.php?hitp=R
  27. http://www.spanishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Lana+Del+Rey+feat.+The+Weeknd&titel=Lust+for+Life&cat=s
  28. http://www.sverigetopplistan.se
  29. http://www.swisscharts.com/song/Lana-Del-Rey-feat.-The-Weeknd/Lust-For-Life-1654102
  30. http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/lust%20for%20life/
  31. http://www.billboard.com/artist/306420/lana-del-rey/chart
  32. http://www.billboard.com/artist/306420/lana-del-rey/chart?f=395
  33. http://www.billboard.com/artist/306420/lana-del-rey/chart?f=902
  34. http://www.billboard.com/artist/306420/lana-del-rey/chart?f=1085
  35. "British single certifications – Lana Del Rey – Lust for Life". British Phonographic Industry. https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/9009-5306-1.
  36. "American single certifications – Lana Del Rey – Lust for Life". Recording Industry Association of America. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Lana+Del+Rey&ti=Lust+for+Life&format=Single&type=#search_section.
  37. http://www.idolator.com/7663159/lana-del-rey-new-song-cherry-snippet
  38. http://www.idolator.com/7661460/lana-del-rey-weeknd-lust-for-life-full-song-review
  39. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/19012-lana-del-rey-lust-for-life-ft-the-weeknd/
  40. "50 Best Songs of 2017". Rolling Stone.
  41. https://www.instagram.com/p/BUSTba4gjZv/?taken-by=lanadelrey&hl=en

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.
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