Ultraviolence (song)

Last updated
"Ultraviolence"
Single by Lana Del Rey
from the album Ultraviolence
ReleasedJune 4, 2014 (2014-06-04)
RecordedEasy Eye Sound (Nashville)
Genre Rock [1]
Length4:11
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Lana Del Rey
  • Daniel Heath
Producer(s) Dan Auerbach
Lana Del Rey singles chronology
"Shades of Cool"
(2014)		"Ultraviolence"
(2014)		"Brooklyn Baby"
(2014)
Music video
"Ultraviolence" on YouTube

"Ultraviolence" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey for her third studio album of the same name (2014). It was co-written by Del Rey and Daniel Heath, and produced by Dan Auerbach. The song was released on June 4, 2014, by Polydor and Interscope Records, as the third single from Ultraviolence. A music video, directed by Francesco Carrozzini, was released on July 30, 2014.

Contents

Composition

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Ultraviolence"
A sample of the chorus on the rock ballad "Ultraviolence", where Del Rey sings about her abusive relationship with reference to The Crystals' "He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)" (1962)
Problems playing this file? See media help.

According to Brenna Ehrlich of MTV News, "Ultraviolence" tells the story of a "typical Lana Del Rey romantic relationship: broken, failed and painful". [2] In the line "I can hear sirens sirens, he hit me and it felt like a kiss," Del Rey references the 1962 The Crystals song "He Hit Me (and It Felt like a Kiss)", and according to Harriet Gibson of The Guardian , "appear[s] to romanticise brutality". [3] Molly Lambert of Grantland noted that the song is about a "difficult man" named Jim. Lambert hypothesized that "Jim" might be a reference to cult leader Jim Jones and the Jonestown massacre, due to the line "you're my cult leader." [4] Aimee Ferrier of Far Out said fans often assume Jim "represents a figure akin to Jim Jones." [5]

Kevin Rutherford of Radio.com remarked that "Ultraviolence" maintained the theme of songs previously released from the album; it "ups the lilting, low-tempo, strings-heavy form" Del Rey had established in her earlier work. [6] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine described "Ultraviolence" as a "laconic, string-laden torch song". [7] A writer for the Music Times commented that the "violins, lightly thumping drums and Del Rey's angelic singing" gave the song a "church-y" feel, pointing out that the track presented her "title sound". [8]

Critical reception

She exalts a violent man on the title track, referencing the Crystals' 'He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)'. It's harder still to listen knowing that Del Rey claims these situations are all true-to-life. 85% of domestic violence victims return to their abusers, submission is an ancient peccadillo, and there's no accounting for taste. But she conjures them with surface-level sadness worn like a shade of eyeshadow, which swiftly wears thin if you have no time for one-dimensional cads.

– NME on Ultraviolence [9]

Nolan Feeney of Time criticized the song for its glorification of domestic violence, mentioning Lorde's comment on Del Rey's music: "This sort of shirt-tugging, desperate, don't leave me stuff. That's not a good thing for young girls, even young people, to hear." However, Feeney also stated that Del Rey would "likely" not endorse the "screwed-up tales of vice and luxury" her character, Lana Del Rey, sings about. [10] While noting that Del Rey did not offer a positive or negative opinion on domestic violence, Harley Brown of Spin said that the lyrics to the song could generate controversy, especially since Del Rey dismissed feminism in an interview with The Fader , saying, "For me, the issue of feminism is just not an interesting concept. I'm more interested in, you know, SpaceX and Tesla, what's going to happen with our intergalactic possibilities. Whenever people bring up feminism, I'm like, god. I'm just not really that interested." [11] [12] By the end of 2014, NME named "Ultraviolence" the 32nd best song of the year. [13]

Music video

A music video, shot entirely on an iPhone on the 8mm Vintage Camera app, was released on July 30, 2014 by Noisey (Vice). It was directed by Francesco Carrozzini and filmed on July 3 in Portofino, Italy. In the video, Del Rey can be seen wearing a white wedding dress with a veil and a bouquet of flowers in her hands, wandering around an outside setting and later entering a church (Cappella di San Sebastiano). [14] [15]

Live performances

Del Rey premiered "Ultraviolence" as part of her set at the PNE Forum in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on May 25, 2014. [16]

Track listings

  1. "Ultraviolence" – 4:41
  1. "Ultraviolence" (Hook N Sling Remix) – 5:29

Credits

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Ultraviolence. [19]

Performance credits

Instruments

Technical and production

Charts

Chart (2014)Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [20] 34
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) [21] 12
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [22] 38
CIS (TopHit) [23] 160
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [24] 59
France (SNEP) [25] 88
US Billboard Hot 100 [26] 70

Certifications

Certifications for "Ultraviolence"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [27] Gold35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [28] Platinum60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [29] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [30] Platinum1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
Australia [31] June 4, 2014Digital download Interscope
Belgium [32]
Finland [33]
France [34]
Luxembourg [35]
Netherlands [36]
United States [17]
United Kingdom [37] August 18, 2014 Polydor
Italy [38] October 3, 2014 Contemporary hit radio

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Del Rey</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1985)

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer and songwriter. Her music is noted for its cinematic quality and exploration of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia, with frequent references to pop culture and 1950s–1970s Americana. Her vintage Hollywood glamour aesthetic is showcased in her music videos. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award, three MTV Europe Music Awards, two Brit Awards, two Billboard Women in Music awards and a Satellite Award, in addition to nominations for eleven Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Variety honored her at their Hitmakers Awards for being "one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 21st century". In 2023, Rolling Stone placed Del Rey on their list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time", while their sister publication Rolling Stone UK named her as "The Greatest American Songwriter of the 21st century".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video Games (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2011 single by Lana Del Rey

"Video Games" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. The song was produced by Robopop, while the lyrics were written by Del Rey and Justin Parker. It was first released to the Internet on May 5, 2011, and was later released on her extended play, Lana Del Rey. The song was re-released as the lead single from her second studio album, Born to Die, on October 7, 2011, through Interscope Records. "Video Games" is a baroque pop, dream pop, and downtempo ballad.

<i>Born to Die</i> 2012 studio album by Lana Del Rey

Born to Die is the second and debut major-label studio album by American singer-songwriter and record producer Lana Del Rey. It was released on January 31, 2012, through Interscope Records and Polydor Records. A reissue of the album, subtitled The Paradise Edition, was released on November 9, 2012. The new material from the reissue was also made available on a separate EP titled Paradise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Del Rey discography</span>

American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey has released nine studio albums, three extended plays, 41 singles, 18 promotional singles, and one box set. She also has one leaked demo album, which was not released officially. According to Universal Music Group (UMG), Del Rey has sold over 41 million albums worldwide and has garnered over 58 billion streams worldwide. In the United States, Del Rey has sold over 48 million certified singles according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Billboard ranked her as the 37th Top Rock Artist of the 2010s. Del Rey has also sold 7.1 million singles units, and 4 million albums in United Kingdom.

<i>Lana Del Rey</i> (EP) 2012 EP by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey is the second extended play by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on January 10, 2012, in the United States and Canada through Interscope Records. After the release of the EP Kill Kill (2008) and her debut studio album Lana Del Ray (2010) via 5 Points Records, an independent label, the EP was released in anticipation of Del Rey's major-label debut album Born to Die (2012). The tracks are influenced by several genres, including indie pop, hip hop, and alternative music. The lyrics and melody were written primarily by Del Rey, Justin Parker and Emile Haynie. Production of the album was led by Emile Haynie, who also co-wrote "Blue Jeans". The EP is Del Rey's second eponymous record after Lana Del Ray (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Jeans (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2012 single by Lana Del Rey

"Blue Jeans" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey and the third single from her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). Interscope Records released the track to Italian radios on March 30, 2012. Del Rey wrote it with Dan Heath and producer Emile Haynie. The song combines sadcore, trip hop, and gothic pop over a balladic production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summertime Sadness</span> 2012 single by Lana Del Rey

"Summertime Sadness" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). The pop ballad was released on June 22, 2012, by Interscope Records as the fourth single of the album. In the spring of 2013, "Summertime Sadness" reached number one in Poland, Ukraine and Armenia. Charting across Europe, the single reached the top 10 in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Trap and house remixes of "Summertime Sadness" helped Del Rey break into the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. That chart is where Del Rey's song became a modest hit and marked her first foray into the chart. On the accompanied Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, the single gave Del Rey her first US number-one single in August 2013. In September 2021, the song was ranked number 456 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2012 single by Lana Del Rey

"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.

<i>Paradise</i> (Lana Del Rey EP) 2012 EP by Lana Del Rey

Paradise is the third extended play by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on November 9, 2012, in Australasia and November 11, 2012, worldwide by Polydor and Interscope. It was additionally packaged with the reissue of her major-label debut studio album, Born to Die (2012), titled Born to Die: The Paradise Edition. Grant enlisted collaborators including producers Rick Nowels, Justin Parker and Rick Rubin. The EP's sound has been described as baroque pop and trip hop.

"Gods & Monsters" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey from her third extended play Paradise and the reissue of her second album Born to Die, Born to Die: The Paradise Edition. "Gods & Monsters" was released on November 9, 2012, with the rest of the Paradise EP.

<i>Tropico</i> (2013 film) 2013 film

Tropico is a 2013 musical short film directed by Anthony Mandler, based on the Biblical story of sin and redemption. Split into three chapters, the film was written by Lana Del Rey, who also starred alongside Shaun Ross. Del Rey plays a dual role, portraying the biblical figure of Eve, as well as Mary, the mother of Jesus, while Ross stars as Adam. The film is set to three songs from Del Rey's 2012 extended play (EP) Paradise.

<i>Ultraviolence</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Lana Del Rey

Ultraviolence is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, released on June 13, 2014, by Polydor and Interscope Records. Originally dismissing the possibility of releasing another record after her major-label debut Born to Die (2012), Del Rey began planning its follow-up in 2013. Production continued into 2014, at which time she heavily collaborated with Dan Auerbach to revamp what she initially considered to be the completed record. The album saw additional contributions from producers such as Paul Epworth, Greg Kurstin, Daniel Heath, and Rick Nowels, and features a more guitar-based sound than Del Rey's previous releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Coast (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2014 single by Lana Del Rey

"West Coast" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her third studio album, Ultraviolence (2014). 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. A psychedelic rock and soft rock ballad, the song 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. 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' 1965 single "We Can Work It Out", introduced by the guitar lick that begins The Beatles' 1964 single "And I Love Her". In the song, Del Rey's vocals comprises a more sensual and demented tone than in her previous releases, and are often sung in an anxious "breathy" style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shades of Cool</span> 2014 single by Lana Del Rey

"Shades of Cool" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from her third studio album, Ultraviolence (2014). It was written by Del Rey and Rick Nowels, and produced by Dan Auerbach. The song was released on May 26, 2014 by Interscope Records as the second single from Ultraviolence. Lyrically, the single talks about an "unfixable" man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooklyn Baby</span> 2014 single by Lana Del Rey

"Brooklyn Baby" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her third studio album Ultraviolence (2014). It was written by Del Rey, and Barrie O'Neill, while production was handled by Dan Auerbach. The song was released on June 8, 2014, by Polydor Records and Interscope Records. The song's lyrical content is notable for its satirical elements targeting the New York hipster subculture: its chorus highlights "a stable of cliches about hipsters, Brooklyn, millennials and other things Del Rey herself is known to idolize".

<i>Born to Die: The Paradise Edition</i> 2012 studio album (reissue) by Lana Del Rey

Born to Die: The Paradise Edition is the reissue of American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey's major-label debut studio album Born to Die (2012). It was released on November 9, 2012, by Interscope and Polydor Records. Released ten months after the original, The Paradise Edition features eight newly recorded tracks, which were simultaneously made available on the standalone extended play Paradise (2012). Although having worked with several producers for each record, Emile Haynie and Rick Nowels are the only producers whose contributions are featured on both discs.

<i>Honeymoon</i> (Lana Del Rey album) 2015 studio album by Lana Del Rey

Honeymoon is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter, and record producer Lana Del Rey. It was released on September 18, 2015, by Interscope and Polydor Records. Produced by Del Rey alongside longtime collaborators Rick Nowels and Kieron Menzies, Honeymoon marked a departure from the more guitar-driven instrumentation of Del Rey's previous effort Ultraviolence (2014) and a return to the baroque pop of Born to Die (2012) and Paradise (2012). Lyrically, the album touches on themes of tortured romance, resentment, lust, escapism and violence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2017 single by Lana Del Rey

"Love" is a song by the American singer Lana Del Rey. It was released on February 18, 2017, by Polydor Records and Interscope Records, as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Lust for Life (2017). The song was written and produced by Del Rey, Benny Blanco, Emile Haynie and Rick Nowels, with additional production by Kieron Menzies. Its release was first teased with promotional posters hung in Los Angeles on February 17, after which the release date was pushed up due to leaked versions of the song surfacing online the same day. The song incorporates alternative pop, bubblegum pop, dream pop, and rock with a 50s style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Love You like a Woman</span> 2020 single by Lana Del Rey

"Let Me Love You like a Woman" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on October 16, 2020, by Interscope Records and Polydor Records as the lead single from Del Rey's seventh studio album, Chemtrails over the Country Club. The song was recorded at both Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles and Electric Lady Studios in New York City and was written by Del Rey and frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, who produced the song.

References

  1. ↑ Copper, Duncan (June 4, 2014). "Lana Del Rey Is Anyone She Wants to Be". The Fader (cover story). Vol. June/July 2014, no. 92. Retrieved February 12, 2015. We could go back to the start, she sings on the title track, but I don't know where we are. Certainly the rock ballad suits her retro preoccupation;
  2. ↑ Lana Del Rey's 'Ultraviolence' Will Give You Goosebumps – MTV
  3. ↑ Gibsone, Harriet (June 5, 2014). "Listen to Lana Del Rey's Ultraviolence". The Guardian . Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  4. ↑ Molly Lambert (June 6, 2014). "Songs of the Week: Lana Del Rey Gets Culty, Kanye Gets Bubblegummed, and Sheryl Crow Rides Shotgun". Grantland . ESPN . Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ Aimee Ferrier (March 16, 2023). "Who is Lana Del Rey's character 'Jimmy'?". Far Out . Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (June 4, 2014). "Listen to Lana Del Rey's Solemn, Strings-Heavy New Song 'Ultraviolence'". Radio.com. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  7. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (June 4, 2014). "Track Review: Lana Del Rey, "Ultraviolence"". Slant Magazine . Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  8. ↑ "REVIEW: Lana Del Rey Drops 'Ultraviolence' Title Track". Music Times. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  9. ↑ Snapes, Laura (June 16, 2014). "NME Reviews – Lana Del Rey – 'Ultraviolence'". NME . Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  10. ↑ Feeney, Nolan (June 4, 2014). "Does Lana Del Rey's New Song Glorify Domestic Violence?". Time . Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  11. ↑ Brown, Harley (4 June 2014). "Listen to Lana Del Rey's Sweeping, Cinematic 'Ultraviolence'". Spin . Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  12. ↑ Cooper, Duncan (June 4, 2014). "Cover Story: Lana Del Rey Is Anyone She Wants to Be". The Fader . Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  13. ↑ "NME's Top 50 Tracks Of 2014". NME. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Watch Lana Del Rey's New Official Music Video, "Ultraviolence"". Vice . July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  15. ↑ Grow, Kory (July 30, 2014). "Lana Del Rey Plays a Bride Without a Groom in 'Ultraviolence' Video". Rolling Stone . Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  16. ↑ Frydenlund, Zach (May 27, 2014). "Watch Lana Del Rey Debut "Ultraviolence" at Her Show in Vancouver". Complex. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  17. 1 2 "Ultraviolence – Lana Del Rey (Interscope/Universal)". AllMusic. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  18. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Ultraviolence (Hook n Sling Remix)". iTunes Store (US). 15 February 2015. Archived from the original on March 1, 2015.
  19. ↑ Ultraviolence (booklet). Lana Del Rey. London, England; Santa Monica, California: Polydor Records, Interscope Records. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ "Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  23. ↑ Lana Del Rey — Ultraviolence. TopHit. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  24. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 25. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  27. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  29. ↑ "British single certifications – Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  30. ↑ "American single certifications – Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Ultraviolence – Single". Australia: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 2014. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014.
  32. ↑ "Ultraviolence – Single". Belgium: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Ultraviolence – Single". Finland: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Ultraviolence – Single". France: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Ultraviolence – Single". Luxembourg: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Ultraviolence (2014)" (in Dutch). 7digital Netherlands. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014.
  37. ↑ Lane, Daniel (August 18, 2014). "This Week New Releases 18-08-2014". Official Charts Company . Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  38. ↑ Aldi, Giorgia. "Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence (Polydor)". Radio Airplay SRL. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.