Ride (Lana Del Rey song)

"Ride"
Single by Lana Del Rey
from the album Paradise
Released September 25, 2012
Format
Genre Blue-eyed soul
Length 4:49
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Rick Rubin
Lana Del Rey singles chronology
"Blue Velvet"
(2012)		 "Ride"
(2012)		 "Dark Paradise"
(2013)
Cover of remixes EP and 7-vinyl single releases

"Ride" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her third EP, Paradise (2012). The song was written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker, while produced by Rick Rubin, the song served as the reissue's first single on September 25, 2012 through Interscope Records. "Ride" is a pop ballad that thematically involves parental problems, alcohol consumption, and loneliness. The cover for the song depicts Del Rey on a tire swing, wearing cowboy boots and a denim jacket.

"Ride" received positive reviews from music critics, who compared Del Rey's vocals with that of Adele and Brandon Flowers of The Killers. While only a modest hit in the United States, Switzerland, Ireland, and France, the song reached the top 10 in Russia and Belgium. The accompanying music video for "Ride" was directed by Anthony Mandler, and was released on October 12, 2012. Del Rey's role in the video was compared to Lolita and A Streetcar Named Desire. The monologue treatment at the prologue and epilogue of the video met polarized opinion; some considered it "meaningless" and a "jibe to her critics", while others called it "moving" and "really something".

Composition
"Ride"
"Ride" is a downtempo pop ballad. Del Rey's vocals were called smokey and languorous.
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"Ride" is a ballad, composed in the soul pop genre. In the song, Del Rey sings over a string-drenched, piano-driven melody produced by Rick Rubin.[1] Lyrically, the song was written by Del Rey and Justin Parker, who co-wrote almost every song on Del Rey's debut album, Born to Die. In the song, Del Rey sings lines such as, "I'm tired of feeling like I'm fucking crazy" and "Been trying' hard not to get into trouble/But I, I've got a war in my mind... so I just ride".[2][3] The song opens with an audible inhalation, before Del Rey gushes out, "I've been out on that open road". The recording features mild cursing, but is otherwise laced with nostalgic lyrics and husky vocals.[4] To further solicit the single and album, an EP was released containing remixes of "Ride". Contributing artists include SOHN, MJ Cole, Eli Escobar, 14TH remix, Wes James, and James Lavelle.[5] Two additional remixes of the song (the Penguin Prison and the Lindstrom remixes) were released as bonus tracks with the exclusive Target release.[6][7]

Critical reception

Critics said "Ride" elevated Del Rey to the soul pop levels of singers like Adele.[1]

"Ride" earned critical commendation from music critics. Contactmusic.com noticed the track adheres to Del Rey's trademark sound, stating that the notion of her even having a trademark after one commercially successful album indicates that "we haven't seen the last of her just yet." Of the production itself, it was said that "Ride" is more accomplished than Del Rey's previous endeavors, with the strengths of the track outshining the flaws. The reviewer concluded by saying, "All that doe-eyed “you can be my full-time daddy / baby” shtick is going to start getting a little tired pretty soon, though, we reckon."[8]

NME blogged that the song's most significant lyric read, "I'm tired of feeling like I'm fucking crazy", while stating that the accompanying music video may be produced solely by Del Rey, as the videos for "Carmen" and "Video Games" were.[2] In a separate review for the same publication, Eve Barlow was critical of the song, writing that Del Rey sounded like "an oversexed frog being dragged against a washboard."[9] Pitchfork Media opined aforementioned lyric was a rare moment of raw emotion by Del Rey.[10] Billboard wrote: "Ride' is a long, dreamy ballad that swells into full view during the chorus, when the singer declares, 'Been trying' hard not to get into trouble/But I, I've got a war in my mind… so I just ride."[3] MTV called "Ride" a "slow burn" and "as mellow and languorous...as on her debut."[11] Another MTV review said: "On 'Ride,' Rey sings what she knows best: loneliness, some daddy issues and day-drinking. All of this is probably a metaphor for something, but honestly, we’re still trying to figure out what those 'Born To Die' tigers mean."[12] A third review by MTV dubbed the single the number one "Must Hear" song of the week, saying, "Heaven is truly a place on Earth with you, Miss Lana."[13] Similarities were drawn between "Ride" and work by The Killers frontman, Brandon Flowers, on his solo debut, Flamingo.[13] Stuff said the title "Ride" was predictably pokerfaced.[14] Cameron Matthew of Spinner noted that Del Rey "amped up on the smokey vocals" with "Ride."[15]

Tom Breihan of Stereogum said "Ride": "moves [Del Rey] back to the power of "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" while simultaneously pushing her into a grand Adele crossover-soul-pop zone. It's really nice. There's hope for this lady yet!"[1] Amanda Dobbins wrote on New York magazine's professional music blog, Vulture, that Del Rey is "still calling men who are not her father 'Daddy," on "Ride."[16] Dose reviewer Leah Collins called the record "predictably morose".[17] Complex named "Ride" the eighth best song of 2012.[18]

Music video

Background and synopsis

Wearing a Native American war bonnet (pictured), Del Rey aims a revolver at her temple while singing "I've got a war in my mind" in the video for "Ride".[19][20][21]

On October 10, Del Rey premiered the music video for "Ride" at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, California.[22] "National Anthem" director Anthony Mandler teamed up with Del Rey to produce the video for "Ride."[23][24] The video was a 10-minute-long short film and gathered an audience of 400.[24] Opening with an image of Del Rey swinging on a suspended tire (as depicted on the single cover), Del Rey narrates: "I was in the winter of my life—and the men I met along the road were my only summer."[23] Further into the narration, Del Rey expresses how she found sanctuary through traveling, while on tour, because the singer had not had a proper home for a long time.[23] She also expressed that her dreams of becoming a poet were crushed and eventually opened the doors necessary to begin a career as a singer.[23] Following the confession, Del Rey is seen riding on a motorcycle, flanked by a clique of leather-clad bikers and wearing a novelty t-shirt that reads, "Buttwiser: King of Rears."[24] Other scenes include Del Rey wrapping herself in an American flag; another depicts her in sexual poses with an older man playing on a pinball machine.[19][25][26][27][28] The staff writers for \Idolator\ commented on Del Rey's relationships as depicted in the video:

She appears to take shelter in a series of different men: a scruffy biker who bends her over a pinball machine, a clean-cut older man who embraces her on a balcony, a different biker who slow-dances with her in what appears to be her dressing room. (Near the end of the video, there is a succession of shots of Del Rey rolling around in the sand at different times with at least two of them — and she licks at least one on the ear). It ends where it began, with Del Rey alone on the tire swing.[23]

At the end of the clip, Del Rey declares, "I am fucking crazy. But I am free."[29] Released online on October 12, the video mirrored the one shown at the Santa Monica premiere and featured a self-authored treatment reminiscent of her work on "National Anthem."[19][20]

Critical reception

NME journalist Lucy Jones compared Del Rey's role in "Ride" to Blanche Dubois' role in A Streetcar Named Desire, calling it a "neurasthenic wreckage." Further reflecting on the Lolita persona, Jones says, "Del Rey's character atrophies into prostitution, seeking safety in other people" throughout the video, which she labels dis-empowering for women, while Del Rey's "suggested acceptance of a young woman selling sex for a roof over her head" might be seen as antifeminist,[20] a word attributed to Del Rey's work since "Video Games."[30][31] OK! and Vibe also noted the prostitution themes,[26] the latter saying, "Never has the art of prostitution ever looked so, cinematic."[32]

Jones also noted similarities between "Ride" and the video for "Born to Die", specifically Del Rey's scarlet talons, red Converse, inverted crucifix earrings, Stars and Stripes flags, tattoos, and guns.[20] Jones speculated that the monologue was not autobiographical, so much as a jab at her critics.[20] Pitchfork considered the metaphor-festooned monologue "moving."[21] Writers for the New York Observer commented: "As a statement of purpose, it’s absolutely, refreshingly meaningless, not purporting to make any statement beyond provocation; as a creation myth for whoever Lana Del Rey is, it’s tremendously watchable. She strives for little more than that."[33] Amanda Dobbins of New York concluded that the final scene belonged in Del Rey's hall of fame, stating, "it is really something."[34] MTV Buzzworthy's David Greenwald contrasted "Ride" with films such as Easy Rider, mentioning that while it contained traditional American themes, it manages to retain credibility as a pop song on par with Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga.[35]

Track listing

Digital download[36]
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Ride" (radio edit)Lana Del Rey, Justin ParkerRick Rubin 4:12
2. "Ride"  Del Rey, ParkerRubin 4:46
Total length:
 8:58
Remixes EP[7]
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Ride"  Del Rey, ParkerRubin 4:49
2. "Ride" (Active Child Remix)Del Rey, ParkerRubin 3:42
3. "Blue Velvet" (Penguin Prison Remix)Bernie Wayne, Lee MorrisEmile Haynie 5:02
4. "Blue Velvet" (Lindstrom Remix)Wayne, MorrisHaynie 9:26
Total length:
 22:59
7" vinyl[37]
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Ride"  Del Rey, ParkerRubin 4:49
2. "Ride" (Active Child Remix)Del Rey, ParkerRubin 3:42
Total length:
 8:31

Credits and personnel

Performance
Technical

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[39] 89
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[40] 63
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[41] 3
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[42] 6
Denmark (Tracklisten)[43] 40
France (SNEP)[44] 56
Germany (Media Control Charts)[45] 44
Ireland (IRMA)[46] 35
Russia (2M)[47] 9
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[48] 31
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[49] 20
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[50] 32
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[51] 26
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[52] 21

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Canada September 25, 2012 Digital download Interscope [53]
Italy Universal [54]
Spain [55]
United States Interscope [56]
Italy October 12, 2012 Contemporary hit radio Universal [57]
Germany November 9, 2012 Digital download Vertigo [58]
United Kingdom November 9, 2012 Digital remixes EP Polydor [7]
November 11, 2012 Digital download [59]
November 12, 2012 7-inch vinyl [37]
United States November 19, 2012 Digital remixes EP Interscope [60]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Breihan, Tom. "Lana Del Rey – "Ride"". Stereogum. Buzz Media. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Lana Del Rey debuts new single 'Ride'". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lipshutz, Jason. "Lana Del Rey Releases 'Ride' Single From 'Born to Die' Deluxe Edition". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  4. ↑ Malaika, Claire. "Lana Del Rey – Ride – Music Review". IDOL magazine. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "Lana Del Rey Debuts at #10 on Billboard 200 With 'Paradise' EP (Interscope/Polydor)". PR Newswire. Santa Monica, California: United Business Media. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  6. ↑ "Paradise EP Target". Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Ride (Remixes) – EP". iTunes Store. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Lana Del Rey – Will ‘Ride’ Change Our Minds About Lana Del Rey?". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  9. ↑ Barlow, Eve (November 9, 2012). "NME Reviews – Lana Del Rey – 'Ride'". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  10. ↑ Battan, Carrie. "Listen to a New Lana Del Rey Song, "Ride"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  11. ↑ Kaufman, Gil. "Lana Del Rey's Paradise Edition Of Debut Features Eight New Songs". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  12. ↑ Ayers, Mike. "Stream Lana Del Rey’s New Track "Ride"". MTV Hive. Viacom. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Stern, Brad. "Lana Del Rey, Dragonette, Kylie Minogue + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week". MTV Buzzworthy. Viacom. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  14. ↑ Rosen, Genevieve. "Lana Del Rey releases afterthought". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  15. ↑ Matthews, Cameron. "Joey Ramone's 'New York City,' New Neil Young Song & More". Spinner. AOL. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  16. ↑ Dobbins, Amanda. "Today in New Music: Ke$ha Accepts Her Mortality, Taylor Swift Still Hates Her Ex". New York. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  17. ↑ Collins, Leah. "Early buzz: Lindsay Lohan, Chris Brown and Rihanna, Ashton Kutcher and Miley Cyrus and more". Dose. Postmedia Network.
  18. ↑ "8. Lana Del Rey "Ride" — The 50 Best Songs of 2012". Complex. Complex Media. December 11, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Rosen, Christopher (12 October 2012). "Lana Del Rey's 'Ride' Video: 'I Believe In The Country America Used To Be'". The Huffington Post (AOL). Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Jones, Lucy. "Lana Del Rey Channels Blanche DuBois In Music Video For 'Ride'". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Pelly, Jenn. "Watch Lana Del Rey Find "True Freedom" in Her "Ride" Video: Motorcycles, Guns, Art, Men, Liberation". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  22. ↑ "Lana Del Rey premieres her new Ride music video in Santa Monica". Glamour. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 Idolator Staff. "Lana Del Rey Revs Up For Her "Ride" Video Premiere". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Martins, Chris. "Born to 'Ride': Lana Del Rey Longs for Leather Daddies in New 10-Minute Short Film". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  25. ↑ "Lana Del Rey has sex on pinball machine in new video 'Ride' – watch". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Lana Del Rey plays a prostitute in new 'Ride' video, has some old truckers for customers". OK!. Northern & Shell. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  27. ↑ "Lana Del Rey turns wild in new music video". MSN. Microsoft. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  28. ↑ "Lana Del Rey shows kinky side". Toronto Sun. Sun Media. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  29. ↑ Boone, John. "Lana Del Rey Premieres New Music Video at a Movie Theater, Leaves Fans Sobbing With Joy". E!. NBCUniversal. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  30. ↑ Savage, Mark (27 January 2012). "Love, the law, and Lana Del Rey". BBC (The Crown). Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  31. ↑ Rice, Paul. "Lana Del Rey's Feminist Problem". Slant Magazine. Slant Magazine. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  32. ↑ Higgins, Keenan. "New Videos: Lana Del Rey, Gucci Mane x Birdman, Daz Dillinger, Ace Hood, Project Pat x Nasty Mane x Juicy J". Vibe. Vibe Media. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  33. ↑ D'Addario, Daniel. "Lana Del Rey Debuts Ten-Minute Music Video". New York Observer. Jared Kushner. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  34. ↑ Dobbins, Amanda. "‘Ride’ Video: Lana Del Rey Has a Gun, a Tire Swing, Curly Hair". Vulture. New York. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  35. ↑ Greenwald, David. "New Video: Lana Del Rey, 'Ride'". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  36. ↑ "Ride – Single". iTunes Store (in German). Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Ride [7" VINYL] [Maxi]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  38. ↑ "Paradise, Lana Del Rey, Music CD". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  39. ↑ "The ARIA Report" (PDF). Pandora.nla.gov.au. 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  40. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Lana Del Rey – Ride" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  41. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Lana Del Rey – Ride" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  42. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Lana Del Rey – Ride" (in French). Ultratip.
  43. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Lana Del Rey – Ride". Tracklisten.
  44. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Lana Del Rey – Ride" (in French). Les classement single.
  45. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Lana Del Rey – Ride". GfK Entertainment.
  46. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 46, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  47. ↑ "Lenta.ru: Музыка: Лена и музы". Lenta.ru (in Russian). Rambler Media Group. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  48. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2012-10-27". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  49. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Lana Del Rey – Ride". Swiss Singles Chart.
  50. ↑ "November 2012/ Archive Chart: 22 November 2012" UK Singles Chart.
  51. ↑ "Lana Del Rey – Chart History – Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  52. ↑ "Lana Del Rey – Chart History – Rock Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  53. ↑ "Ride (Explicit) | 2012". 7digital Canada. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  54. ↑ "Ride [Explicit]" (in Italian). Amazon.com. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  55. ↑ "Ride [Explicit]" (in Spanish). Amazon.com. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  56. ↑ "Ride [Explicit]". Amazon.com. 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  57. ↑ "Lana Del Rey – Ride (Universal) | Radio Date 12/10/2012" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Lana Del Rey | Ride | Diskografie" (in German). Universal Music Group. Archived from the original on August 16, 2014.
  59. ↑ "Ride [Explicit]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  60. ↑ "Ride [Explicit]". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 14, 2012.

External links