Ride (Lana Del Rey song)

"Ride" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her third extended play (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 soulful 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"
Single by Lana Del Rey
from the EP Paradise
B-side"Blue Velvet"
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2012 (2012-09-25)
Genre
Length4:49
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Rick Rubin
Lana Del Rey singles chronology
"National Anthem"
(2012)		 "Ride"
(2012)		 "Dark Paradise"
(2013)
Music video
"Ride" on YouTube

"Ride" received critical acclaim 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. 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 start and end of the video met polarized opinion; some considered it "meaningless" and a "gibe to her critics", while others called it "moving" and "really something".

Composition

"Ride" is a pop soul,[1] country-soul,[2] and blue-eyed soul ballad.[3] 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".[4][5] 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.[6] To further promote the single and album, an EP was released containing remixes of "Ride". Contributing artists include Sohn, MJ Cole, Eli Escobar, 14th, Wes James, and James Lavelle.[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.[4] 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."[5] 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 of Vulture wrote 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
Main article: Ride (2012 film)

Cover versions

Nashville songwriter and producer Shane Tutmarc released cover of "Ride" as a single in January 2013. Tutmarc's music video features home videos of JFK, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe.[19]

British indie rock band White Lies released cover of "Ride" on their 2013 EP Small TV.

Track listing
Digital download[20]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ride" (radio edit)
Rick Rubin4:12
2."Ride"
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin4:46
Total length:8:58
European digital remixes EP (select countries)[21]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ride"
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin4:49
2."Ride" (Active Child Remix)
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin3:42
3."Blue Velvet" (Penguin Prison Remix)
  • Bernie Wayne
  • Lee Morris
Emile Haynie5:02
4."Blue Velvet" (Lindstrom Remix)
  • Wayne
  • Morris
Haynie9:26
Total length:22:59
US digital remixes EP[22]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ride" (Sohn Remix)
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin5:12
2."Ride" (M. J. Cole Remix)
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin5:55
3."Ride" (Eli Escobar Remix)
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin7:52
4."Ride" (14th Remix)
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin3:43
5."Ride" (Wes James Remix)
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin4:20
6."Ride" (Lyla's Surprise) (James Lavelle Remix)
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin8:13
Total length:35:15
7" vinyl[23]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ride"
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin4:49
2."Ride" (Active Child Remix)
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Rubin3:42
Total length:8:31

Credits and personnel
Performance
  • Lana Del Rey – primary artist, vocals, backing vocals, composer, writer
Technical

Charts
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[25] 89
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[26] 63
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[27] 3
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[28] 6
Denmark (Tracklisten)[29] 40
France (SNEP)[30] 56
Germany (Official German Charts)[31] 44
Ireland (IRMA)[32] 35
Russia (2M)[33] 9
Scotland (OCC)[34] 31
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 20
UK Singles (OCC)[36] 32
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[37] 26
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[38] 21

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[40] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Canada September 25, 2012 Digital download Interscope [41]
Italy Universal [42]
Spain [43]
United States Interscope [44]
Italy October 12, 2012 Contemporary hit radio Universal [45]
Germany November 9, 2012 Digital download Vertigo [46]
United Kingdom November 9, 2012 Digital remixes EP Polydor [21]
November 11, 2012 Digital download [47]
November 12, 2012 7-inch vinyl [23]
United States November 19, 2012 Digital remixes EP Interscope [22]

References
  1. Breihan, Tom (25 September 2012). "Lana Del Rey – "Ride"". Stereogum. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  2. Petridis, Alexis (January 14, 2022). "Lana Del Rey's greatest songs — ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  3. Saalman, Austin (November 11, 2022). "Lana Del Rey – Reflecting on the 10th Anniversary of "Paradise"". Under the Radar. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  4. "Lana Del Rey debuts new single 'Ride'". NME. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  5. Lipshutz, Jason. "Lana Del Rey Releases 'Ride' Single From 'Born to Die' Deluxe Edition". Billboard. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  6. Malaika, Claire. "Lana Del Rey – Ride – Music Review". IDOL magazine. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  7. "Lana Del Rey Debuts at #10 on Billboard 200 With 'Paradise' EP (Interscope/Polydor)". PR Newswire. Santa Monica, California. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  8. "Lana Del Rey – Will 'Ride' Change Our Minds About Lana Del Rey?". Contactmusic.com. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  9. Barlow, Eve (November 9, 2012). "NME Reviews – Lana Del Rey – 'Ride'". NME. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  10. Battan, Carrie (25 September 2012). "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. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  12. Ayers, Mike. "Stream Lana Del Rey's New Track "Ride"". MTV Hive. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  13. Stern, Brad. "Lana Del Rey, Dragonette, Kylie Minogue + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week". MTV Buzzworthy. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  14. Rosen, Genevieve (24 September 2012). "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. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  16. Dobbins, Amanda. "Today in New Music: Ke$ha Accepts Her Mortality, Taylor Swift Still Hates Her Ex". New York. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  17. Collins, Leah. "Early buzz: Lindsay Lohan, Chris Brown and Rihanna, Ashton Kutcher and Miley Cyrus and more". Dose.
  18. "8. Lana Del Rey "Ride" — The 50 Best Songs of 2012". Complex. December 11, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  19. Shane Tutmarc - Ride (Lana Del Rey) - YouTube
  20. "Ride – Single". iTunes Store (in German). January 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  21. "Ride (Remixes) – EP". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  22. "Ride [Explicit]". Amazon. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  23. "Ride [7" VINYL] [Maxi]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  24. "Paradise, Lana Del Rey, Music CD". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  25. "Issue 1182" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  26. "Lana Del Rey – Ride" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  27. "Lana Del Rey – Ride" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  28. "Lana Del Rey – Ride" (in French). Ultratip.
  29. "Lana Del Rey – Ride". Tracklisten.
  30. "Lana Del Rey – Ride" (in French). Les classement single.
  31. "Lana Del Rey – Ride" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  32. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Lana Del Rey". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  33. "Lenta.ru: Музыка: Лена и музы". Lenta.ru (in Russian). October 12, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  34. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  35. "Lana Del Rey – Ride". Swiss Singles Chart.
  36. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  37. "Lana Del Rey – Chart History – Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  38. "Lana Del Rey – Chart History – Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  39. "British single certifications – Lana Del Rey – Ride". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  40. "American single certifications – Lana Del Rey – Ride". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  41. "Ride (Explicit) | 2012". 7digital Canada. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  42. "Ride [Explicit]" (in Italian). Amazon.it. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  43. "Ride [Explicit]" (in Spanish). Amazon.es. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  44. "Ride [Explicit]". 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  45. "Lana Del Rey – Ride (Universal) | Radio Date 12/10/2012" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  46. "Lana Del Rey | Ride | Diskografie" (in German). Universal Music Group. Archived from the original on August 16, 2014.
  47. "Ride [Explicit]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
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