Lust For Life (with The Weeknd)

"Lust for Life" is a complex anthem that explores themes of escapism, vitality, and the romantic idealization of a shared, reckless existence. At its core, the song is a departure from Lana Del Rey's often melancholic explorations of tragic romance, instead offering a more hopeful, albeit still dangerous, perspective. The titular "lust for life" serves as a defiant mantra against mortality and despair. The lyrics reject the notion that a fast-paced, hedonistic lifestyle inevitably leads to an early demise ("'Cause we're the masters of our own fate / We're the captains of our own souls"). Instead, the song posits that this very intensity and passion for living is what sustains them.

The central metaphor of climbing the 'H' of the Hollywood sign symbolizes a desire to rise above the ordinary and to seize a piece of the iconic, often tragic, dream of Hollywood for themselves. This act is both a physical escape and a spiritual one, creating a private world for the two lovers. However, this imagery is also layered with a darker historical context, as some critics have noted its parallel to the 1932 suicide of actress Peg Entwistle, who jumped from the sign. This adds a layer of tension to the song's optimism, suggesting that the line between ecstatic living and self-destruction is perilously thin. The collaboration with The Weeknd, whose own music often explores themes of dark hedonism, reinforces this duality. Ultimately, the song celebrates finding a kindred spirit with whom to face the world, creating a powerful, shared reality that feels invincible.

The song opens with an invitation to escape into a private, reckless world, symbolized by climbing to the top of the Hollywood sign. This act represents a seizure of a moment, a feeling of owning the world, if only for a short time, away from any onlookers. The setting is intimate and charged with a sense of freedom and transgression. The recurring whispered interjections of "do it" and "shut up" suggest both an internal struggle and an encouragement to give in to these liberating impulses. The core of the song is a declaration of a powerful "lust for life," a force that sustains and drives the two protagonists. They acknowledge the cliché that "only the good die young" but defiantly reject it, asserting that their wildness won't lead to their demise because their very passion for living keeps them alive.

This central theme of vitality is reinforced by the idea of pushing boundaries—dancing until they are out of breath, on the verge of death, yet finding life in that extreme. The Weeknd's verse echoes this sentiment, framing their connection as a source of mutual salvation and inspiration. He sees them as legends, their story one of invincibility and shared purpose. He suggests that their bond is what makes them masters of their own fate, quoting William Ernest Henley's poem "Invictus" with the line, "We're the masters of our own fate, we're the captains of our own souls." This elevates their romance from a simple affair to a powerful, destiny-defining union.

The narrative then returns to their perch on the Hollywood sign, a place of both literal and metaphorical elevation. From this vantage point, they see a world of possibilities, of "green lights forever," symbolizing endless opportunity and a future without limits. The act of taking off their clothes is a metaphor for shedding inhibitions and embracing complete vulnerability and authenticity with each other. This physical and emotional nakedness under the stars solidifies their bond. The song concludes by reaffirming that their shared, intense desire for experience, for love, and for life itself is the very thing that preserves them, turning what might seem like a self-destructive path into one of ultimate survival and connection.

"Lust for Life" was the first song written for the album of the same name, but it underwent a significant transformation before its release on April 19, 2017. Lana Del Rey co-wrote the track with her longtime collaborator Rick Nowels. Initially, Del Rey was not satisfied with the song, feeling it was a strong idea but not yet perfected. Following a suggestion from Interscope executive John Janick, she traveled to Sweden to consult with pop super-producer Max Martin. Martin identified the original verse as the most compelling part of the song and suggested it be repurposed as the chorus.

Del Rey returned to Rick Nowels' studio, The Green Building in Los Angeles, and reworked the structure as Martin had advised, which she felt made it "perfect." It was at this point she decided the song needed a male vocal counterpart and invited The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) to contribute. Tesfaye came in and co-wrote parts of his section. Still feeling the track was missing a certain quality she described as a "Shangri-Las element," Del Rey went back a fourth time to layer the song with rich, 1960s girl-group-style harmonies. The final production credits are shared by Del Rey, Nowels, Dean Reid, and Kieron Menzies, with additional production from Max Martin.

The song's structure favors a pop-centric, memorable pattern. The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, often using couplets (AABB) within its verses to create a simple, melodic flow, such as "sign" with "mine" and "together" with "weather." This is complemented by near rhymes and assonance to maintain a fluid, less rigid feel.

Rhythmically, "Lust for Life" has a moderate, swaying tempo that evokes a dreamlike, almost waltz-like feeling, fitting its dream pop genre. The percussion is steady but softened, driven by a beat that blends classic pop with subtle trap influences, a sound that became more prominent on the album. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is key to its atmosphere. Del Rey's vocal phrases often float over the beat with a relaxed, slightly behind-the-beat delivery, enhancing the song's languid and ethereal quality. In contrast, the backing harmonies and The Weeknd's more structured verse provide a rhythmic anchor, creating a dynamic texture that mirrors the song's thematic blend of dreamy escapism and grounded determination.

Musically, "Lust for Life" marks a shift towards a more optimistic and accessible sound for Lana Del Rey, while retaining her signature cinematic quality. The song employs several notable techniques:

• Musical Style: It is primarily a dream pop and bubblegum pop track with a strong 1960s influence. The production features a "wall of sound" aesthetic, lush string arrangements, and doo-wop inspired backing vocals ("doowop-doowop"), explicitly paying homage to girl groups like The Shangri-Las and The Angels.
• Vocal Delivery: The song is a duet, creating a conversational dynamic. Del Rey's vocals are airy and ethereal, while The Weeknd's contribution provides a moody, grounding counterpoint. Their harmonizing on the chorus enhances the theme of unity and shared experience.
• Literary Allusions: The lyrics directly quote the 1888 poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley ("We're the masters of our own fate, we're the captains of our own souls"), which adds a layer of classic, defiant gravitas to the song's modern pop sensibilities. There is also a lyrical nod to The Angels' 1963 song "My Boyfriend's Back."
• Repetition: The recurring phrase "lust for life" acts as a powerful, chant-like hook and central thesis, reinforcing the song's main theme. The whispered asides like "(do it, do it)" create a sense of intimacy and internal monologue.

"Lust for Life" was released as the second single from the album of the same name and made a notable cultural impact as a key collaboration between two major artists, Lana Del Rey and The Weeknd. Commercially, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 64, and charted in numerous other countries including the UK, Canada, and Australia. The album itself debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and in the UK, solidifying Del Rey's status as a major recording artist.

The song's music video, directed by Clark Jackson, was highly significant. It visualized the song's central fantasy, featuring Del Rey and The Weeknd sitting and dancing atop the Hollywood Sign. The video's vintage, VHS-quality aesthetic reinforced Del Rey's well-established nostalgic brand. The imagery sparked discussion among critics and fans about its potential reference to the 1932 suicide of actress Peg Entwistle, adding a layer of dark Hollywood lore to the song's reception. Nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, the *Lust for Life* album was seen as a more optimistic and outward-looking project for Del Rey, and this title track was its centerpiece, signaling a thematic shift that was widely discussed in music criticism.

The song is rich with symbolism, primarily centered around the Hollywood Sign. Climbing the 'H' is a powerful, multi-layered metaphor. On one level, it represents escapism and freedom—a literal and figurative ascent above the world into a private, magical space shared by the two lovers. It symbolizes seizing control and feeling on top of the world, if only for a "stolen moment." On a darker level, the act carries historical weight, echoing the tragic suicide of actress Peg Entwistle in 1932, who jumped from that very letter. This allusion introduces a tension between life-affirming joy and the inherent dangers of chasing the Hollywood dream.

Other significant metaphors include:

• Taking Off Clothes: This is a metaphor for shedding all inhibitions, societal constraints, and personal defenses. It signifies complete vulnerability and raw, honest connection between the two individuals.
• "Green Lights Forever": This phrase symbolizes endless possibility, optimism, and an unhindered path forward. It captures the feeling of being young and in love, where the future appears to be a series of open doors.
• "Masters of our own fate / Captains of our own souls": A direct quote from William Ernest Henley's poem "Invictus," this serves as a powerful declaration of autonomy and self-determination. It refutes the idea that their wild lifestyle is reckless, framing it instead as a conscious choice to live life on their own terms.

The most significant recurring motif in "Lust for Life" is the central phrase itself: "a lust for life." This phrase functions as the song's thesis and hook, repeated throughout the chorus. Its repetition transforms it from a simple statement into a powerful mantra, embodying the song's core message of finding vitality and survival through passion and shared experience. It represents a conscious shift in perspective from Del Rey's earlier, more melancholic work towards a more hopeful, life-affirming stance.

Another key recurring image is the act of "Climb[ing] up the H of the Hollywood sign." This image opens the song and is central to its music video, establishing the primary setting and metaphor for escape and transgression. It's a fantasy of seizing a forbidden, iconic space for a private, intimate moment. Its recurrence solidifies it as the symbolic pinnacle of the lovers' defiant and romantic world.

The whispered interjections of "(do it, do it)" and "(shut up, shut up)" are a subtle but effective lyrical motif, suggesting an internal dialogue of temptation, impulse, and the silencing of doubt, adding a layer of psychological intimacy to the track.