Lana Del Rey's "Diet Mountain Dew," initially known as "Diet Mtn Dew" or "Diet Mt. Dew Baby," is a song co-written by Del Rey and Mike Daly, with production handled by Emile Haynie and Jeff Bhasker. This article delves into the origins, lyrical content, and various versions of this track, exploring its significance within Del Rey's discography and its potential meanings.
Origins and Development
The genesis of "Diet Mountain Dew" can be traced back to 2008-2009. On April 28, 2009, Lana Del Rey expressed her admiration for Mike Daly's talent, specifically mentioning "Diet Mt. Dew Baby." She revealed that the song was conceived during a particularly happy period in her life, inspired by a connection with someone who shared her fondness for Diet Mountain Dew, a trait also shared by her father. A trip to Greenwich, Connecticut, sparked the initial line, "Diet Mtn Dew baby, New York City?" This line lingered for two years before Del Rey decided to develop it further. She emphasized that while the verse could have been anything, the chorus held a special significance for her.
Leaks and Demos
The instrumental version of the song surfaced online on March 31, 2015. Prior to this, snippets of a 2008 a cappella demo titled "Diet Mt. Dew Baby," recorded under the pseudonym Lana Rey, leaked in May and August 2016. A third snippet emerged in February 2021, with the full demo leaking on April 1 of the same year. The original file of this demo was leaked two days later. Another demo, labeled "Diet Mtn Dew Ruff 1," produced by Daly in 2009, leaked on July 5, 2017. This demo is registered with Harry Fox Agency's Songfile and is available on Del Rey's YouTube channel. The first demo version, produced by Crispin Hunt, shares its instrumental with "Gorgeous $100."
Musical Composition and Style
The song is composed in B♭ minor with a tempo of 88 BPM. Musically, the track features a rising and falling scale motif on the piano, complemented by soaring strings and hip-hop beats, a characteristic element found in other tracks on the album. This blend of musical elements contributes to the song's unique sonic landscape.
Live Performances
The first known performance of "Diet Mountain Dew" occurred at the Highline Ballroom in New York City for the M.E.A.N.Y. Fest on January 22, 2010, although footage of this performance is not available. New York rapper Kalae "All Day" Nouveau collaborated with Del Rey to incorporate a rap verse into a live performance of the song, alongside "Hundred Dollar Bill." Del Rey performed the song live for the second time on November 30, 2011, at the Mod Club in Toronto, Canada, as an encore. Before performing, she expressed her dislike for encores but decided to play the song, which she had rarely performed live, to extend her set. After a six-year hiatus, Del Rey revived the song during her Lust for Life Promotional Tour in October 2017, performing it at Terminal 5 in New York City and at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in Los Angeles. In 2018, she included the song in her performance at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, during the LA to the Moon Tour.
Read also: "Diet Mountain Dew" Analysis
Music Videos
Before the release of "Born to Die," Del Rey created homemade music videos for the second and third demo versions of the song, reminiscent of her other early music videos. These videos feature shots of Del Rey and clips from various films and videos. An alternate edit of the first version of the video, without audio, leaked on July 5, 2017.
Lyrical Themes and Interpretation
The lyrics of "Diet Mountain Dew (Demo)" offer a glimpse into a complex and potentially toxic relationship. The recurring line, "Diet Mtn Dew baby, New York City," serves as a catchy hook and a symbol of a shared connection. The lyrics "Never was there ever a girl so pretty / Do you think we'll be in love forever?" explore themes of love, beauty, and the uncertain future of a relationship.
Some interpretations suggest that the song delves into Del Rey's struggle with a toxic relationship and societal expectations. The comparison to Diet Mountain Dew implies that the relationship, like the soda, is sweet but ultimately unhealthy. The lyrics are filled with hidden meanings and metaphors, reflecting Del Rey's signature songwriting style.
One notable line, "Let's take Jesus off the dashboard, Got enough on his mind. We both know just what we're here for, Saved too many times," has been interpreted in various ways. It could represent a nonchalant attitude towards religion and morality, or it could suggest a relationship based purely on physical intimacy without emotional depth.
References to roller coasters in other songs like "Last Girl on Earth," "Hundred Dollar Bill," and "Butterflies Pt. 2" create a thematic connection within Del Rey's discography. Similarly, the phrase "Hit me and tell me you're mine" echoes the sentiments found in "Ultraviolence" and "Beautiful Player," suggesting a recurring motif of complex and potentially destructive relationships.
Read also: The Transformation of Lana Del Rey
Read also: Lana Del Rey's Weight and Coachella