Lana Del Rey's "Diet Mountain Dew" is more than just a catchy tune; it's a glimpse into her personal experiences and artistic evolution. This article delves into the history, lyrics, and meaning of the song, drawing upon available information to provide a comprehensive understanding.
Origins and Development
"Diet Mountain Dew," initially known as "Diet Mtn Dew" and "Diet Mt. Dew Baby," is a collaborative effort between Lana Del Rey and Mike Daly, with production handled by Emile Haynie and Jeff Bhasker. The song's genesis can be traced back to 2009 when Del Rey expressed her admiration for Mike Daly's talent on Twitter, referencing "Diet Mt. Dew Baby."
Del Rey has shared insights into the song's inspiration, stating that it was written during a period of happiness after meeting someone who shared her affinity for Diet Mountain Dew. A trip to Greenwich, Connecticut, and the line "Diet Mtn Dew babe? New York City?" sparked the initial concept for the song. For two years, that line remained the core of the song until Del Rey decided to develop it further. She emphasized that while the verse could have been anything, the chorus held significant personal meaning.
Leaks and Demos
The journey of "Diet Mountain Dew" to its final form was marked by several leaks and demo versions. An instrumental version surfaced in 2015, followed by snippets of a 2008 a cappella demo titled "Diet Mt. Dew Baby," recorded under the pseudonym Lana Rey, in 2016. A third snippet leaked in 2021, preceding a full leak. The original file of this demo was leaked shortly after. Another demo, labeled "Diet Mtn Dew Ruff 1," produced by Daly in 2009, also leaked. This demo is registered with Harry Fox Agency's Songfile and is available on Del Rey's YouTube channel. It's worth noting that the first demo version shares its instrumental with "Gorgeous $100" and was produced by Crispin Hunt.
Musical Composition
The song is composed in B♭ minor with a tempo of 88 BPM. It features a distinctive musical arrangement, including a rising and falling scale on the piano, complemented by soaring strings and hip-hop beats, a characteristic element found in other tracks.
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Live Performances
"Diet Mountain Dew" has been performed live on several occasions, offering different interpretations and arrangements.
Early Performances: The first known performance took place at the Highline Ballroom in New York City for the M.E.A.N.Y. Fest in January 2010. Although footage of this performance is unavailable, it marked an early stage in the song's live evolution. In November 2011, Del Rey performed the song at the Mod Club in Toronto, Canada, as an encore. She expressed her reluctance towards encores but wanted to extend her short setlist.
Later Performances: After a six-year hiatus, Del Rey revived "Diet Mountain Dew" during her Lust for Life Promotional Tour in October 2017, performing it at shows in New York City and Los Angeles. In 2018, she included the song in her performance at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, during her LA to the Moon Tour.
Music Videos
Before the release of "Born to Die," Del Rey created homemade music videos for the second and third demo versions of "Diet Mountain Dew." These videos, similar to her other early works, featured shots of Del Rey herself and clips from various films and videos. An alternate edit of the first version of the video, without audio, also leaked.
Lyrical Themes and Interpretation
The lyrics of "Diet Mountain Dew" explore themes of love, toxicity, and societal expectations. The recurring line, "Diet Mtn Dew baby New York City / Never was there ever a girl so pretty / Do you think we'll be in love forever?," suggests a contemplation on the nature of relationships and the desire for lasting love. Some interpret the song as a reflection on a toxic relationship, comparing it to the sweetness and artificiality of Diet Mountain Dew. The lyrics also touch upon themes of religion, morality, and the complexities of human relationships. 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,” is interpreted to show nonchalant feeling about religion and doing bad things.
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Connections to Other Songs
"Diet Mountain Dew" shares thematic and lyrical connections with other Lana Del Rey songs. For instance, the mention of roller coasters appears in "Last Girl on Earth," "Hundred Dollar Bill," and "Butterflies, Pt. 1 & 2." The line "Hit me and tell me you're mine" echoes the sentiment in "Ultraviolence" and "Beautiful Player," referencing the controversial line "he hit me and it felt like a kiss."
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