"Million Dollar Man" is a song by Lana Del Rey that is featured as the tenth track on her debut major-label studio album, Born to Die. It was written with Chris Braide, who also produced the song with Emile Haynie.
Composition and critical reception[]
"Million Dollar Man" is a cinematic Jazz-influenced ballad with low vocals and piano laced production. It runs at a duration of three minutes and fifty-one seconds.
Sal Cinquemani of Slant called it a "solid, bluesy ballad" and stated that it felt quite reminiscent of Fiona Apple's music.[1] Jen Dan of Delusions of Adequacy similarly referred to the song as a jazzy torch song, that "layers together smoky, expressive vocals, piano notes, and extended strings".[2]
Live performances[]
Del Rey first performed the song live on the 2011 leg of her Born to Die Tour, before the song was officially released. It was also included on the setlist of the 2012 leg of the Born to Die Tour, as well as the Paradise Tour (2013-2014). In 2017, the song was performed a cappella on August 1 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California. And in 2018, the first verse and chorus of the song was performed on February 5 in Atlanta, Georgia at the LA to the Moon Tour.
Music video[]
Music video | Information | |
---|---|---|
Released | N/A | |
Length | 4:06 | |
Director | Lana Del Rey | |
Producer | ||
Filmed | 2010 | |
Location | ||
Vevo views | N/A |
Background and description[]
Before the release of Born to Die, Del Rey filmed a homemade music video for the demo version of "Million Dollar Man". It features clips of Del Rey herself and clips from miscellaneous films and videos, similar to the style of many of her pre-Born to Die era music videos.
Cross-references[]
- Money is mentioned in several songs, including "Hundred Dollar Bill", "Money Power Glory" and "National Anthem".
- The lyric "one for the money, and two for the show" is a direct reference to Elvis Presley's cover of "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins.
- The term "being broke" has a double meaning (Broke as in "broken-hearted" and "broke" as in "run out of money"). It is also referenced in "Madly".
- Hearts are also mentioned in "Arcadia", "Heartshaped Chevrolet", "Queen of Hearts" and "Wild At Heart".
Official versions[]
- Album version — 3:51
- Instrumental version — 3:50
- "Mix 1" demo version — 3:42 (produced by Chris Braide)
- Paradise Tour version (instrumental) — 5:11
- Rehearsal demo — 4:09
Lyrics[]
You said I was the most exotic flower
Holding me tight in our final hour
I don't know how you convince them and get them, boy
I don't know what you do
It's unbelievable
And I don't know how you get over, get over
Someone as dangerous, tainted and flawed as you
One for the money and two for the show
I love you, honey
I'm ready, I'm ready to go
How did you get that way? I don't know
You're screwed up and brilliant
Look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke?
You got the world but, baby, at what price?
Something so strange, hard to define
It isn't that hard, boy, to like you or love you
I'd follow you down, down, down
You're unbelievable
If you're going crazy just grab me and take me
I'd follow you down, down, down, anywhere, anywhere
One for the money, two for the show
I love you, honey
I'm ready, I'm ready to go
How did you get that way? I don't know
You're screwed up and brilliant
Look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke?
One for the money and two for the show
I love you, honey
I'm ready, I'm ready to go
How did you get that way? I don't know
You're screwed up and brilliant
Look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke?
I don't know
You're screwed up and brilliant
Look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke?
Credits[]
- Personnel
- Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting
- Christ Braide — songwriting, production, guitars, acoustic piano, strings, drum programming
- Emile Haynie — production, drums, additional keyboards
- Dan Grech-Marguerat — mixing
- Duncan Fuller — mixing assistance
- John Davis — mastering
- Technical
- Published by EMI / Sony / ATV
- Recorded at Human Feel Studios, Los Angeles, United States
- Mixed at Miloco's Engine Room, London, United Kingdom
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
References[]
- ↑ "Review: Lana Del Rey, Born to Die". Slant. January 25, 2012. http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/lana-del-rey-born-to-die.
- ↑ "Lana Del Rey – Born To Die". Delusions of Adequacy. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120219030343/http://www.adequacy.net/2012/02/lana-del-rey-born-to-die/.
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