National Anthem - Lana Del Rey (audio) May 2026

Released in 2012 as a standout track on her breakthrough album, Born to Die , Lana Del Rey's is a high-gloss, alternative hip-hop anthem that critiques the intersection of love, wealth, and the American Dream. Audio Production & Composition

Critics generally praised the song's ambitious production while sometimes critiquing its lyrical depth.

: Described as alternative hip-hop or trip-hop, the song features a "rapping-like" vocal technique from Del Rey that mirrors other tracks on the album, such as "Diet Mountain Dew". National Anthem - Lana Del Rey (Audio)

The song explores the idea that in a capitalist society, "Money is the anthem of success".

: The song is set in C minor with a tempo of 85 BPM . Released in 2012 as a standout track on

: It opens with sweeping strings and firework sound effects before shifting into a beat-driven groove. The production relies heavily on reverb and delay to create Del Rey's signature "hazy" sound.

: The track employs "reflective nostalgia," using historical and cultural motifs to examine the contradictions of American identity and the "hollowness" of its fairytales. Critical Reception The song explores the idea that in a

: Del Rey uses materialistic imagery—like the Hamptons and Bugatti Veyrons—to highlight a culture fueled by excess and neoliberal capitalism. Critics often debate whether these lyrics are a serious glorification of luxury or a sharp, ironic commentary on the shallowness of modern success.