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About

Genius Annotation

“West Coast” is a surf-rock throwback produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. It uses the west coast to frame Lana Del Rey’s tale of leaving her lover to travel—only to return when she can’t bear missing him.

This song marked Lana’s highest debut as #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as her second-highest charting single after the Cedric Gervais remix of sleeper-hit “Summertime Sadness.”

“West Coast” was recognized among the top songs of 2014 by Consequence of Sound and Spin, reaching #11 on NME’s list.

On April 11th, 2014, Lana sang an acapella excerpt of “West Coast” at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. It was released three days later as the lead single for her third studio album, Ultraviolence. The song made its full-length debut at Coachella on April 20th.

The black-and-white music video shows Lana torn between lovers, one of them portrayed by famous Hollywood tattoo artist Mark Mahoney. He makes a second appearance in the music video for “Shades of Cool.”

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Lana Del Rey say about "West Coast"?
Genius Answer

“West Coast” was kind of an extention of everything I’ve been feeling so far on the record. It started with “Cruel World” which I felt like felt really west coast based ‘cause of the Wah-Wah guitars and… then having done “Brooklyn Baby” we went back to the 'west coast’ but kind of kept that easy-casual beat.

What was the inspiration for the song?
Genius Answer

According to Songfacts, Lana Del Rey said to newspaper The Sun:

That track is inspired by being here. I just started spending the more and more time here. After touring I would be back in California, which is really unusual because I’d be in New York is so long. Being in Los Angeles is where I felt like the record was starting off. It was west coast-driven. Though it actually enhanced my love of New York as well, which was good because I was trying to get that loving feeling back for New York.
I was there for ten years and every time I go back I have this nervous felling. Being in Los Angeles calmed me down when I was making the record, I felt really good about bringing this east coast flavour into this West Coast sound, having this little amalgamation.

What certifications have this track received?
Genius Answer

On November 24, 2021, “West Coast” was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Credits
Produced By
Copyright ©
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Designer
Electric Guitar
Synthesizer
Photographer
Produced At
12-String Acoustic Guitar
Designed At
Recorded At
The Bridge, Glendale, LA, USA.
Release Date
April 14, 2014
West Coast Interpolations
View West Coast samples
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