Lana Del Rey | Video Games (2011)
"Video Games" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her second studio album and major label debut, Born to Die (2012). The song was produced by Robopop, while the lyrics were written by Del Rey and Justin Parker.
2011-10-07 19:00:00 - Music Video
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 where the protagonist who, despite being ignored by her significant other, resolves to love him regardless.
"Video Games" has received widespread critical acclaim, with many critics praising the uniqueness of Del Rey's vocal performance and the song's cinematic production. The song has been considered Del Rey's "breakthrough hit" and was a commercial success, peaking at number one in Germany, Iceland, and Luxembourg; reaching a top ten position in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom; and peaking at 91 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was certified Gold.
Its accompanying music video was directed and edited by Del Rey herself, combining scenes of her performing the song filmed on a webcam with clips of archive footage.
"Video Games" won an Ivor Novello Award for "Best Contemporary Song" in 2012 and was nominated for several other awards shortly after its release. The song was named "Song of the Decade" at the Q Awards 2019 and was ranked ninth on Pitchfork's 100 Best Songs of the 2010s.