Format Digital download Genre R&B
trip hop Label Universal | Recorded 2010 Length 4:42 | |
Released June 13, 2011 (2011-06-13) | ||
"Diet Mountain Dew" (sometimes stylized as Diet Mtn Dew) is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from her second studio album Born to Die (2012). It was released as the album's first promotional single on June 13, 2011 by Universal Music Group. The song did not chart in any territory.
Contents
Background and composition
"Diet Mountain Dew" has been described as a "mid-tempo R&B" song that uses trip hop samples. Lyrically, the song describes a toxic relationship with a significant other. In 2011, Del Rey told Q, "I was just walking around New York, singing the words and melodies into my phone and then my producer helps to put my words to the music." Del Rey has stated she has written all but one line in "Diet Mountain Dew".
Critical reception
Andy Gill of The Independent wrote that the song was "the same depressing scenario" as some of Born to Die's other songs. Alex Denney of NME called the song "breathless". Dan Weiss of Spin stated that the chorus of the song was "breezily hummable". Lindsay Zoladz of Pitchfork criticized Del Rey's delivery of the song along with "Off to the Races", saying, "'Diet Mountain Dew' and 'Off to the Races' aim for chatty, sparkling opulence, this singer [Lana Del Rey] doesn't have the personality to bring it off". Billboard called the track "catchy", and deemed the song a standout on Born to Die. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian said "There's something effortless about the melodies of 'Diet Mountain Dew' and 'Dark Paradise': they just sweep the listener along with them." Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone called the song's rhymes "clever". Krystina Nellis of Drowned in Sound suggested that Born to Die would "be great with more upbeat jams like 'Diet Mtn Dew'".
Release history
Del Rey released an audio video for a demo of "Diet Mountain Dew" through her YouTube channel on June 13, 2011, which has reached four and a half million views in the year of 2012.
In popular culture
"Diet Mountain Dew" was featured in season 3, episode 7 of 90210.