Together, they produced the initial recording of "West Coast" as a classic rock-inspired song. In November 2013, Del Rey traveled to Electric Lady Studios in New York City, which she occupied for five weeks alone, and produced the track by herself from a guitar before later hiring session drummer Maximilian Weissenfeldt, while Nowels would come by "every now and then".
"West Coast" was written by Del Rey and her frequent collaborator Rick Nowels in California, with Del Rey composing its lyrics and melody, and Nowels its chords. I feel like I'm a part of it when I'm there - so yeah, I felt comfortable with it.ĭel Rey discussing the song's opening lyric I like that other people can have fun and let loose. For some reason I really like soaking up the mood of like a really dynamic party whether it's on the West Coast or whatever.
For me it's like thinking about the way things were for me, and how my motivations were for so long, they still seem a part of my life even though I'm not drinking now. That's what someone just said to me when I was on the beach, I was at a beach party, he said 'they've got a sayin' if you're not drinkin' then you're not playin' ' I thought it was a cute opening line. The song has also been covered by James Vincent McMorrow, Royal Blood, Missio (duo), KUNGS and Max Jury. Del Rey promoted "West Coast" with live performances at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival and Glastonbury Festival 2014. The clip was well received by critics and was nominated for a 2014 MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography. Shot at Marina del Rey, California and Venice, Los Angeles, it uses a minimalist and melancholy approach to depict Del Rey torn between two love interests, one of which is portrayed by Hollywood tattoo artist Mark Mahoney. The song marked Del Rey's eighth top 40 hit on the UK Singles Chart where it peaked at number 21.Īn accompanying black-and-white music video, directed by Vincent Haycock, was released on May 7, 2014. "West Coast" debuted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, making this Del Rey's highest debut and third highest-charting single of her career, while also being her first single to enter the Rock Airplay chart where it reached number 26. Several news media sources went on to list it as one of the best songs of 2014, including Consequence of Sound, NME and Spin. Released as the lead single from the album on April 14, 2014, "West Coast" received positive reviews from music critics who commended its unconventional composition and Del Rey's uncharacteristic vocal delivery. In the song, Del Rey's vocal comprises a more sensual and demented tone than in her previous discography, and are often sung in an anxious "breathy" style. Described as a two-in-one song, its shifting tempo transitions downward by nearly 60 beats per minute at the chorus, in a rhythmical shift reminiscent of the Beatles' " We Can Work It Out" (1965), introduced by the guitar lick that begins the Beatles' " And I Love Her" (1964). A psychedelic rock and soft rock ballad, "West Coast" was noted to be an evolution and more guitar-orientated in sound for Del Rey and was produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. Written by Del Rey and Rick Nowels, it is a melancholy love song about a woman torn between love and ambition, and as a dedication to the West Coast of the United States. " West Coast" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her third studio album, Ultraviolence (2014).