In today’s music industry, it’s hard to find an artist who is as unique and captivating as Lana Del Rey. Her music often explores the dark side of love and relationships, and she has been featured in numerous films and TV shows. Whether you’re a fan of her early balladry or her more recent alt-rock tracks, we’ve compiled a list of the best Lana Del Rey songs ranked for you to check out!
In addition to ranking them, we’ll also explore what makes this singer-songwriter so special. So whether you’re looking for some great love songs or an atmospheric listen, make sure to add Lana Del Rey to your playlist!
About Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey is an American singer, songwriter, and model. She was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant in New York City on June 21, 1985. Her music has been noted for its cinematic style, its preoccupation with themes of tragic romance and melancholia, and its references to pop culture, particularly 1950s and 1960s Americana.
Del Rey’s self-titled debut studio album was released in 2010. Also known as Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant, the album introduced to the artist we now know as Lana Del Rey.
In 2012, Del Rey released Born to Die on Interscope Records and sold 3.4 million copies worldwide as of 2014. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and was the fifth best-selling album of 2012 in the United States. Its title track “Born to Die” peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Del Rey’s highest-charting single in the United States to date.
Del Rey’s second studio album, Ultraviolence (2014), reached number one in twelve countries and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. It sold more than three million copies worldwide and was the tenth best-selling album of 2014. Its singles “Shades of Cool” and “Brooklyn Baby” peaked at numbers seven and nineteen on the US Billboard Hot 100, respectively.
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Del Rey’s third studio album, Honeymoon (2015), was released in September 2015 and debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 190,000 copies in its first week. It received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 58th annual ceremony.
Lana Del Rey’s fourth studio album, Lust for Life, was released on July 21, 2017. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 with 107,000 album-equivalent units, of which 81,000 were pure sales. It received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 60th annual ceremony.
She has continued to grow as an artist with the masterpiece “Norman Fucking Rockwell” in 2019 along with two albums in 2021, “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” and the intimate “Blue Banisters“. With Blue Banisters, Lana Del Rey set a new Billboard record for most No. 1 albums on the Alternative chart.
About the 17 Best Lana Del Rey Songs Ranked List
Lana Del Rey is one of the most iconic and influential singers of our time. Her music has had a huge impact on popular culture, and her songs are introspective and often deal with darker themes. However, that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable to listen to.
If you’re a fan of her music, or just want to explore some new tracks, make sure to check out this list of the best Lana Del Rey songs ranked! I will admit narrowing down the list was a difficult task as it started out as the top 10 songs but there was just too many favorites left off the list.
Surprisingly, there were not as many songs from my favorite album, Norman Fucking Rockwell, as I thought when comparing songs track by track vs the entire album. For the list I did include soundtracks and collaborations but did not include any Lana Del Rey cover songs. This is why you do not see some tracks such as Doin Time.
Without further ado, below are my picks for the top songs by Lana Del Rey (So Far)…
Summertime Sadness (2012)
This is one of Lana Del Rey’s most popular songs, and for good reason. The lyrics are introspective and deal with the feeling of summer coming to an end, and how that can be a sad time. The song has a catchy melody and is very easy to sing along to.
Summertime Sadness is one of those songs that you can listen to on repeat and never get tired of. It’s the perfect song for a summer road trip or for when you’re feeling a little nostalgia.
She doesn’t want to feel sad at the death of a loved one alone, so she writes this song. Like in “Dark Paradise,” Lana contemplates suicide so that she can be with a dead friend or lover (or her).
Lana and Jaime King appear to be romantically involved in the music video for “Summertime Sadness.” Lana and Jaime are shown in the video spreading their arms and sliding down a hill after jumping off a bridge, which is accompanied with vintage-style footage of Lana jumping over a bridge. Lana is shown wandering on the bridge from where she jumped at the end of the video, but this time as a ghost.
Blue Banisters (2021)
Lana Del Rey is one of music’s most enigmatic and captivating artists. Her music is deeply introspective and romantic, perfect for a moody autumn day. Her haunting vocals will sweep you off your feet and into another world. So, if you’re a fan of her music, then it’s time to add this songs to your playlist!
The eerie-sounding title track, which appears to depict the support that Lana’s friends offer in the wake of a failed romance, is one of several songs on Blue Banisters that celebrates female companionship. This mysterious man proposes to her by fixing her “Weathervane” and promising to “give me children, take away my anguish, and paint my banisters blue.” Promises to paint the banisters have been forgotten by the time the chorus returns, but Lana has her “sisters” to help her out.
Ultraviolence (2014)
If you’re a fan of Lana Del Rey, then you need to hear the title track from the Ultraviolence album.
“You’re my cult leader/I love you forever” and other such submissive lyrics in the title track of Lana Del Rey’s third album infuriated some listeners. Like many of her songs, this one is based on a true story; Lana told The New York Times that she was once a cult member, having followed a guru who “believed in breaking you down to build you back up again.” Despite its potentially controversial subject matter, this song is one of the album’s highlights, with a simple piano chord sequence, powerful strings, and light thumping drumming behind Lana’s breathy, gentle vocals.
Radio (2012)
“Radio” was the one of the singles from Lana Del Rey’s second studio album, Born to Die. It was released in 2012, and peaked at number 67 on the French Singles Chart.
The song is a mid-tempo ballad with a noirish feel to it, and its lyrics deal with the subject of relationships and heartbreak. “Radio” is one of Lana Del Rey’s most popular songs.
This tune from ‘Born To Die’ was written when she began to achieve some popularity, and it deals with the fact that people’s true colors change when they attain positions of authority or public acclaim. “Now my life is sweet like cinnamon / Like a fucking dream I’m living in,” Del Rey sings. “Baby love me cos I’m playing on the radio / How do you like me now?”
Beautiful People Beautiful Problems (feat. Stevie Nicks) (2017)
Lana Del Rey has always been known for her sultry and soulful music. This track from the Honeymoon album is no exception as she teams up with Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks. With its beautiful balladry and catchy hooks, Honeymoon is a must-listen for Lana fans and music lovers alike.
![Honeymoon [2 LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ohgR5vqmL.jpg)
This dark piano pop song, which features Del Rey’s signature ethereal vocals, is a duet with Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks. The two artists have been friends for years, and Nicks has praised Del Rey’s work on numerous occasions. “Beautiful People Beautiful Problems” is a hauntingly beautiful song about the dark side of fame and fortune.
Norman Fucking Rockwell (2019)
Lana Del Rey is an iconic artist who has been making music for over 20 years now. Born to Die was her breakout album and still remains one of her best. She took her craft to the next level on her masterpiece Norman Fucking Rockwell. The album and title track is an essential listen for any music lover. Whether you’re a longtime fan or you’re just discovering her music, it’s worth checking out one of her best tracks.
There is little doubt that these opening lyrics are among the best in music. The rest of the song isn’t quite as stunning, but it’s still a beautiful look at the risks of settling for someone with flaws.
You can’t help but be uplifted by the positive message of Norman Fucking Rockwell; after countless songs in which she swore eternal devotion to a villain, this one finally features the sound of Lana Del Rey telling one of them to shove it. The chorus is really excellent, but the real star of the show is the subtlety with which Del Rey delivers the lines.
White Dress (2021)
“White Dress” is a single by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on April 9, 2021, through Interscope Records. The song was written by Del Rey and Jack Antonoff (who you probably know from Bleachers), and produced by the latter.
Lana Del Rey’s music has evolved from a celebration of celebrity to a wish for anonymity. White Dress, has hints of Joni Mitchell’s For Free (which she covered), suggests breathlessly that she would have been happier working as a waitress or an unsigned singer; ironically, it is set to the kind of irresistible tune that propelled her Chemtrails Over the Country Club album to the top of the charts.
Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over the Country Club
In “White Dress,” Lana takes a remarkable trip down memory lane, recalling her upbringing as a waitress and the happy summer hours she spent discovering the music that made her tick before she became famous. Her haunting and commanding vocal delivery is what truly separates “White Dress” from the competition.
The lyric “Down at the Men In Music Business Conference” (a made-up event that acts as an allegory for the music industry) shouldn’t work here since the syllables are too densely packed to scan, yet Lana manages to pull off the melodic high wire performance with flair, generating a genuine feeling of drama.
The Greatest (2019)
The Greatest is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from her sixth studio album, Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019). It was released as the album’s fourth single on September 18, 2019. The track was written by Del Rey, Jack Antonoff and Zach Dawes, and produced by Antonoff.
A gorgeous, heart-wrenching ballad about the end of a relationship, “The Greatest” is one of Lana Del Rey’s best songs. The production is sparse, with just a piano and Del Rey’s haunting voice to carry the song. The lyrics are some of her most personal and vulnerable, making for a truly powerful listening experience.
Find the latest Lana Del Rey album releases on our new music albums releases page.
“The Greatest” is a song about the end of a relationship, reflections from the past and it’s one of Lana Del Rey’s best. The production is sparse, with just a piano and Del Rey’s haunting voice to carry the song. The lyrics are some of her most personal and vulnerable, making for a truly powerful listening experience.
Lana Del Rey’s voice has never sounded better than it does on “The Greatest.” She sounds absolutely shattered, yet somehow still in control of her emotions. It’s a stunning performance, and one that will stay with you long after the song has ended.
It’s easy to understand and relate to; who hasn’t longed for a time or place that now seems like a faraway memory? and ends with a gloomy but honest appraisal of the state of the world today.
Born To Die (2012)
The first song that adequately represented Del Rey was “Born To Die,” the title tune from her second and breakthrough album. As she once put it, “gangsta Nancy Sinatra” is a breathtaking combination of soaring, exquisite strings, her downcast drawl, and hip-hop beats to produce a unique, unforgettable song.
It’s a perfect example of Lana Del Rey’s ability to take disparate elements and create something new and exciting out of them. The result is a sound that is both fresh and nostalgic, and “Born To Die” is one of the best examples of this style.
![Born To Die [LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BLXJkztBL.jpg)
The title, “Born To Die,” alludes to the song’s typical mood of melancholy and resignation, which is typical of Lana Del Rey’s music. This third single from her self-titled album boasts a more substantial video budget than its predecessors. Yoann Lemoine filmed Lana sitting on a throne at the Palace of Fontainebleau in France, with two Bengal tigers at her feet. This is still one of her most stunning visual works.
The lyrics are classic Del Rey, exploring the dark side of love and relationships. The chorus, is both sensual and sad, and perfectly encapsulates the Lana Del Rey experience.
“Born To Die” is one of Lana Del Rey’s best songs because it expertly blends her unique songwriting style with a pop sensibility, resulting in a sound that is both fresh and timeless.
Brooklyn Baby (2014)
“Brooklyn Baby” is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from her third studio album, Ultraviolence (2014). It was released as the album’s second single on June 8, 2014. The track was written by Del Rey and Barrie O’Neill, and produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.
The song is a love letter to Brooklyn, Del Rey’s adopted home, and the various subcultures that make it such a special place. The lyrics are playful and lighthearted, in contrast to many of her other songs which explore darker themes. The song features a classic Lana Del Rey melody, carried by her ethereal voice and supported by simple instrumentation.
“Brooklyn Baby” is one of Lana Del Rey’s best songs because it captures the feeling of young love and nostalgia. The lyrics are sweet and innocent, in contrast to many of her other songs which explore darker themes. The song features a classic Lana Del Rey melody, carried by her ethereal voice and supported by simple instrumentation. Auerbach does a great job on the production, keeping the focus on Del Rey’s voice and the emotion of the song.
Shades Of Cool (2014)
With Shades of Cool, Lana has once again proven her ability to craft hit songs that appeal to a wide range of listeners. If you’re a fan of her older work, you’ll love Shades of Cool’. It features songs that are reminiscent of her earlier sound, with a mix of a dark ballad love song which has a Bond song theme vibe.
The production on the album is top-notch, and Del Rey’s voice sounds better than ever. The lyrics are classic Lana, exploring the dark side of love and relationships all while retaining femininity that Lana portrays so well. “Shades of Cool” is one of the best examples of this, with its haunting melody and Del Rey’s trademark ethereal vocals.
Mariners Apartment Complex (2018)
Taking cues from Neil Young song names and Joni Mitchell lyrics, Norman Fucking Rockwell! is a concept album inspired by the Laurel Canyon singer-songwriter culture of the late 1960s. This is most evident on Mariners Apartment Complex, a gorgeously somber, frigid version of the scene’s folk-based approach.
Despite her penchant for shrouding herself in mystery, Jack Antonoff’s understated production on Mariner’s Apartment Complex finally lets her vocals shine and Lana sings from the heart. The result is one of the most beautiful, painful, and introspective songs of her career.
Young and Beautiful (The Great Gatsby Soundtrack) (2013)
“Young and Beautiful” is a Grammy-winning song from the 2013 film, The Great Gatsby. Written by Lana Del Rey and produced by Rick Nowels, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 2013 after being released as a single in April of that year. It is an electro ballad that features acoustic guitar, strings, drums, and brass instruments.
On the star-studded soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, Young and Beautiful, Lana Del Rey’s most eerie performances stand out as the greatest. The song was not written for the film but rather appropriated by it; the story of vanishing youth and celebrity is beautifully reflected in the song’s wonderful melody.
If F. Scott Fitzgerald were living today, he would have definitely written a novel particularly for Lana Del Rey, who has written a song for the theme tune of The Great Gatsby. The song “Young And Beautiful” has a lot of the elements that make Lana’s music great, such as its opulent elegance and passionate yearning, but it doesn’t quite make it into the hall of fame.
West Coast (2014)
There’s no doubt that Lana Del Rey is one of the most iconic and celebrated singers of our time. Her music is full of emotion and soul, and “West Coast (2014)” is no exception. The song is a nostalgic tribute to the LA lifestyle, and features some of Lana’s most beautiful vocals. The lyrics are dark and introspective, making it great for people who are looking for something serious on their musical playlist.
The music video was shot in scenic locations around Los Angeles, so you can really get a feel for how great the song looks and sounds when you watch it. If you’re a fan of Lana Del Rey, make sure to check out “West Coast (2014).”
A tribute to a mythologized California, the lyrics slow down abruptly to announce the chorus, and the riff at the beginning is classic! This song is the first indication of Ultraviolence’s sonic shift, which was aided by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, into more guitar-driven territory.
One of the more intriguing parts of ‘Ultraviolence,’ ‘West Coast’ is a sultry surf music with a mysterious undercurrent. Lyrically, Del Rey describes feeling conflicted between her desire to leave California and explore the world and her attraction to a man who makes her feel “hotter than fire.” It’s clear from the way she smolders throughout the song even if she doesn’t elaborate on that last point in her lyrics. Check out the music video below.
Video Games (2011)
This is the song that sparked the movement. The simplicity and power of “Video Games” means that it still sounds great nearly a decade after it was released. Lana’s mushy vocals and the song’s subtle drum rolls before the chorus give the song’s creator’s proclamation that life is “only worth living if somebody is loving you” a beautiful extra layer of drama, and they launched her career as a songwriter.
Video games (2011) are a great way to escape reality and feel like you’re in a different world. That’s why Lana Del Rey’s dark and brooding tunes are perfect for the mood. Her voice is haunting, and it perfectly matches the dark and moody video games of 2011. Whether you’re into crime dramas or depressing love songs, you need to check out Lana Del Rey’s music. Her songs are sure to get your heart racing, and you won’t be disappointed.
It’s easy to overlook how remarkable Lana Del Rey’s debut was given her consistent, significant presence in pop over the last decade. The slow-building strings, the funeral beat, the weird combination of romance and dread in the lyrics, the glassy-eyed singing, and the sense that it was completely unlike anything else occurring in pop at the time all make Video Games a once-in-a-career song. Time has done little to diminish its power, making it one of the most effective introductions to a new pop phenomena in the past two decades.
The music video is as captivating today as it was when it first came out. It’s dark, mysterious, and Lana Del Rey looks gorgeous in it. If you’re a fan of the song, you’ll definitely want to check out the music video.
Venice Bitch (2019)
By her sixth album, few people were expecting Del Rey to create a nearly 10-minute long soft folk and psych-tinged work of weird pop. But that is precisely what “Venice Bitch” is a sudden and unexpected burst of experimental creativity that is as luscious as it is winding.
This song is one of Lana Del Rey’s best songs because it is so different from anything else she has ever done. The lyrics are strange and ethereal, and the music video is even stranger. If you’re looking for something new and different to listen to, “Venice Bitch” is the perfect choice.
The lyrics are written in stream-of-consciousness style, which gives them a dreamlike quality. In the lyrcis, she addresses her fiancé directly. As she does so, she refers to herself as his “little Venice bitch” and expresses her longing for him with her lips.
The music video is just as good as the song, and it’s definitely worth watching. Lana Del Rey looks beautiful in it, and the video is incredibly surreal. If you’re a fan of Lana Del Rey, you need to check out “Venice Bitch.”
The heady swirl of synthesizer and guitar feedback, the dreamy delivery of the lyrics, and the sheer length of the song combine to create an immersive experience that is both strange and beautiful. If you’re looking for something new and different to listen to, “Venice Bitch” is the perfect choice.
Ride (2012)
Lana Del Rey is one of music’s most iconic and celebrated artists. Her dark music is sure to captivate and transport you into a world of your own. Her 2012 release Ride is a masterpiece that is worth your time.
The lyrics are haunting and atmospheric, capturing the listener in a world of delirium and paradise. It reflects Lana’s feeling of being a drifter, aka does not appear to have stability in her life. The track is about as perfect an encapsulation of her entire aesthetic as one could hope for.
When compared to the rest of Del Rey’s catalog, “Ride” stands head and shoulders above the rest as one of her finest achievements to date. As the chorus laments, “I’ve got a war in my thoughts,” she reveals her short-term solution for when the blues morph into the terrible reds: “I just ride.” The music is a high point of the sophisticated pop on which she has built her career, with strings and distant drum rumbles combining to depict her melancholy and inner conflict.
In the wake of its release Ride, produced by Rick Rubin and steeped in strings, was added to the Born to Die deluxe Paradise Edition and features Del Rey’s octave-leaping performance, which, for someone whose vocal abilities were derided early on, is nervily powerful.
The music video is a favorite for any of the Lana Del Rey songs on the list. It features Born To Die era Lana Del Rey looking ethereal and beautiful, as she rides through the desert on a motorcycle. If you’re a fan of Lana Del Rey, you need to check out “Ride.”
What makes Lana Del Rey such a great singer and songwriter?
If you love great music, you need to check out Lana Del Rey. Her songs are always intensely personal and heartfelt, which makes them all the more special. Her great range includes ballads to uptempo songs, and her haunting vocals and melancholic lyrics are sure to move you. Not to mention, her music has been featured in films and TV shows, so there’s no shortage of opportunity to enjoy her work. So what are you waiting for? Pick up a Lana Del Rey album and start listening!
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of Lana Del Rey, then you’ll love this list of her best songs! From the sultry ultraviolence of “Ultraviolence” to the heart-wrenching ballad “Ride,” this list has it all. Make sure to check it out and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre of music is Lana Del Rey?
Lana Del Rey is a singer-songwriter whose music can be classified as alternative rock, indie pop, and trip hop.
What is Lana Del Rey’s real name?
Lana Del Rey’s real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant.
What is Lana Del Rey saddest song?
Lana Del Rey’s saddest song is “Ride.” The lyrics are about her feeling of being a drifter, and the track is reflective of her entire aesthetic.
