The Blackest Day (Lana Del Rey song)

"The Blackest Day" is a song recorded by American recording artist Lana Del Rey for her album Honeymoon (2015).[1][2] It was written by Del Rey and Rick Nowels, and produced by Del Rey, Nowels and Kieron Menzies.

"The Blackest Day"
Song by Lana Del Rey
from the album Honeymoon
ReleasedSeptember 18, 2015
StudioThe Green Building, Santa Monica, California
Length6:05
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Lana Del Rey
  • Rick Nowels
  • Kieron Menzies

Often praised by critics for its melancholic lyrics and dreamy instrumental, the track is often considered a standout track from the record. Since its release, several publications such as Billboard and NME have ranked the song as one of Del Rey's best.

Background
Billie Holiday (pictured') is referenced several times in the song.

"The Blackest Day" is a post-breakup ballad[1], that follows the stages of grief, the first verse touches up themes of denial, notable in lyrics such as "I don't really wanna break up, We got it going on". The is followed by angrier tones in the bridge: "You should've known better, than to have, to let her, get you under her spell of the weather". This stage is followed by bargaining in the second verse: "Carry me home, don't wanna talk about the things to come/Just put your hands up in the air, the radio on", before Del Rey reaches the point of acceptance in the outro: "I'm on my own again".[2]

The song also noticeably references her previous songs "National Anthem" and "Burning Desire" with the lyrics "Wind in my hair".

Composition

A ballad, the song is influenced by jazz, rock and trap genres with references to American jazz singer Billie Holiday accompanied by electric guitars and rolling snares from a drum machine. The verses are stripped back, featuring guitar playing over a bass synth as drums slowly build towards a more heavily produced chorus. The chorus includes layered background vocals to add to the instrumentation as well as synth strings and a harp. After the final chorus, the song crescendos into an outro that ends with Del Rey repeating "I'm on my own again".[3]

Lyrically, the song is about the heartbreak of a lover leaving. The track runs at 6 minutes and 5 seconds, making it the longest track on the record, with approximately 108 beats per minute in the key of F♯ minor.

Release and promotion

The song has never been performed live in its entirety. On August 10, 2018 in Budapest, Hungary, Del Rey performed a snippet of the song a cappella per audience request during the LA to the Moon Tour.

Critical reception

Upon the release of Honeymoon, the song was given praise by critics and fans alike, often cited as a standout song from the album. Hardeep Phull of The New York Post praised the song for its lyrical content and melancholic sound.[4] Chelsea Smile of PopMatters called "The Blackest Day" the most powerful song on the record, saying that it "recounts the excruciating break up of a relationship, and the tone to Del Rey's voice is so emotive, it's as if she's nearly crying at points."

Nylon editor Kristin Iversen ranked the song as the 21st best song of Del Rey's discography.[5] Sorrel Forbes of U Discover Music ranked the song as Del Rey's 14th best and praised it tribute to late singer Billie Holiday.[6]

Personnel
  • Lana Del Rey — vocals, songwriting, production
  • Rick Nowels — songwriting, production, organ, pads
  • Kieron Menzies — production, engineering, recording, mixing, drums, bass, synth, samples
  • Trevor Yasuda & Chris Garcia — engineering
  • Patrick Warren — strings
  • Trevor Yasuda — additional effects
  • David Levita — electric guitar
  • Adam Ayan — mastering

References
  1. "Lana Del Rey evokes classic singers in dark 'Honeymoon'".
  2. "Lana Del Rey's 'Honeymoon' her best yet".
  3. Empire, Kitty (September 20, 2015). "Lana Del Rey: Honeymoon review – cinematic glamour and skeletal beats" – via www.theguardian.com.
  4. Phull, Hardeep (September 18, 2015). "The 5 best tracks on Lana Del Rey's new album".
  5. Iversen, Kristin. "Every Lana Del Rey Song, Ranked". Nylon.
  6. Forbes, Sorrell (August 1, 2019). "Best Lana Del Rey Songs: 20 Tracks You're Born To Die For | uDiscover".
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