The Greatest

Lana Del Rey

About The Greatest

"The Greatest" (stylized in sentence case) is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey. The track was released as the second promotional single from Del Rey's sixth studio album, Norman Fucking Rockwell! on August 22, 2019. On August 22, 2019, Del Rey released a "double feature" music video with "The Greatest" and "Fuck It, I Love You". Later that day, she released the two as a joint promotional single on digital outlets. It was sent to Italian radios on September 13, 2019, as the fifth single from the album.  


Year:
2019
5:00
403 

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I miss Long Beach and I miss you, babe
I miss dancing with you the most of all
I miss the bar where the Beach Boys would go
Dennis's last stop before Kokomo

Those nights were on fire
We couldn't get higher
We didn't know that we had it all
But nobody warns you before the fall

And I pray that you stay
Don't leave, I just need a wake-up call
I'm facing the greatest
The greatest loss of them all
The culture is lit and I had a ball
I guess I'm signing off after all

I miss New York and I miss the music
Me and my friends, we miss rock and roll
I want shit to feel just like it used to
And, baby, I was doing nothing the most of all

The culture is lit and if this is it, I had a ball
I guess that I'm burned out after all

Oh I pray that you stay
Don't leave, I just need a wake-up call
I'm facing the greatest
The greatest loss of them all
The culture is lit and I had a ball
I guess that I'm burned out after all

If this is it, I'm signing off
Miss doing nothing, the most of all
Oh I just missed a fireball
L.A. is in flames, it's getting hot
Kanye West is blond and gone
"Life on Mars" ain't just a song
Oh, the lifestream's almost on

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Lana Del Rey

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (born June 21, 1985), known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her music has been noted by critics for its stylized cinematic quality, its preoccupation with themes of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia, and its references to pop culture, particularly 1950s and 1960s Americana. more »

22 fans

Written by: Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, Jack Antonoff

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Details
"The Greatest" is a song by American singer Lana Del Rey from her sixth studio album, "Norman Fucking Rockwell!".
Producer Information
The track was produced by Lana Del Rey herself in collaboration with Jack Antonoff, a renowned musician and producer.
Song Meaning
The song presents a melancholic reflection on contemporary life and contains nostalgic elements that reminisce about an idealized past.
Chart Performance
Despite its non-commercial nature, "The Greatest" managed to gain some chart success. It peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart in the US.
Music Video
The music video for "The Greatest" is directed by Rich Lee, blending images of California's coasts with those of environmental disasters and featuring a cameo from late surf-rock legend, Dick Dale.
Critical Reception
"The Greatest" received universal acclaim from music critics with Rolling Stone, NME, and Pitchfork marking it as a highlight on "Norman Fucking Rockwell!".
Social Commentary
The song has been described as a lament for the decline of America and the world at large, reflecting the social and environmental issues currently faced.
Musical Elements
Del Rey's seductively pensive vocals are backed by melancholy piano and mellow guitar strums, gliding over subtle synths and laid-back drum beats in "The Greatest".
Songwriting
Lana has co-written "The Greatest" with Jack Antonoff, who has previously collaborated with other prominent artists like Taylor Swift and Lorde.
Live Performances
Del Rey premiered "The Greatest" during her performance at the Benicàssim Festival in Spain in July 2019, before the release of the album.
Awards and Nominations
Although "The Greatest" remained largely snubbed in major music award categories, the album it's part of, "Norman Fucking Rockwell!" received numerous nominations including Album of the Year at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Lyrics References
"The Greatest" contains references to various cultural figures and places, including Kanye West, The Beach Boys, LA's Laurel Canyon, and New York's Long Island.

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    "The Greatest Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/36465712/Lana+Del+Rey/The+Greatest>.

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