West Coast by Lana Del Rey

"West Coast" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey for 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, "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. 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). 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. 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. Several news media sources went on to list it as one of the best songs of 2014, including Consequence of Sound, NME and Spin. "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. The song marked Del Rey's eighth top 40 hit on the UK Singles Chart where it peaked at number 21. An accompanying black-and-white music video, directed by Vincent Haycock, was released on May 7, 2014. 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 clip was well received by critics and was nominated for a 2014 MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography. 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 song has also been covered by James Vincent McMorrow, Royal Blood, Missio (duo), KUNGS and Max Jury.