Raised in upstate New York, Del Rey moved to New York City in 2005 to pursue a music career. After numerous projects, including her self-titled debut studio album, Del Rey's breakthrough came in 2011 with the viral success of her single "Video Games"; she subsequently signed a recording contract with Polydor and Interscope. She achieved critical and commercial success with her second album, Born to Die (2012), which contained the sleeper hit "Summertime Sadness". Del Rey's third album, Ultraviolence (2014), featured greater use of guitar-driven instrumentation and debuted atop the U.S. Billboard 200. Her fourth and fifth albums, Honeymoon (2015) and Lust for Life (2017), saw a return to the stylistic traditions of her earlier releases, while her critically acclaimed sixth album, Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019), explored soft rock. Her next studio albums, Chemtrails Over the Country Club and Blue Banisters, followed in 2021. Her ninth studio album, “Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” was released on all platforms March 24th 2023. It includes singles like the title track - "Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd", "A&W", and "The Grants".
Del Rey has collaborated on soundtracks for visual media; in 2013, she wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed musical short Tropico and released "Young and Beautiful" for the romantic drama The Great Gatsby. In 2014, she recorded "Once Upon a Dream" for the dark fantasy adventure film Maleficent and the self-titled theme song for the biopic Big Eyes. Del Rey collaborated with Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus on "Don't Call Me Angel" for the action comedy Charlie's Angels (2019), which peaked at number 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, Del Rey published the poetry and photography collection Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass (2020).
She is the recipient of various accolades, including two Brit Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, and a Satellite Award, in addition to nominations for six Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Variety honored her at their Hitmakers Awards for being "one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 21st century".
Criminals Run the World
Lana Del Rey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Fingertips in the shape of a gun
Raise it up to your heart, pow, done
Ruby lips pop pink bubblegum
Bye bye baby, bye bye sun
I'm Lana Del Rey from the U.S. of A.
You know why I'm here so I'm not gonna say
Fuckin' up your life in every possible way
‘Cause criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Black bra, red dress, makeup on
I'm the new politician
It ain't rock, but you done rolled
Bye bye baby, loser, I won
Lana Del Rey from the U.S. of A.
A figment of your imagination
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
All my boys raise your voice let me hear it
L. Del Rey, yay! Wanna hear you cheer it
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
We're in the future now
You can't be weak
Technology and money
You have live life deadly
We're in the future now
You can't be weak
Technology and money
You have live life deadly
Deadly, deadly, deadly
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
All my boys raise your voice let me hear it
L. Del Rey, yeah! Wanna hear you cheer it
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Oh oh oh oh oh
In "Criminals Run the World," Lana Del Rey draws attention to the sinister, corrupt side of power and control in today's society. The opening lines describe the act of gun fingers, essentially, when people put their thumb and index finger into the shape of a handgun. Lana metaphorically represents the people in power, who have the ability to channel their influence into harmful forms, "Raise it up to your heart, pow, done. Ruby lips pop pink bubblegum. Bye bye baby, bye bye sun." As she continues, delving into her persona and fame, she refers to the dead Godfather ordering a hit from the grave, alluding to this idea of the corrupt, lawless power structures in place. "You know why I'm here so I'm not gonna say. Fuckin' up your life in every possible way." Considering the pressure and scrutiny that comes with her life and career, she is in control and ready to take on these powers that be, especially when she claims that she is the new politician. In the final lines of the song, Lana seems to almost celebrate this chaotic environment, perhaps acknowledging that criminals really do run the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Fingertips in the shape of a gun
Using my fingers to create the shape of a gun.
Raise it up to your heart, pow, done
Pointing the imaginary gun towards your heart and shooting to finish the job.
Ruby lips pop pink bubblegum
Wearing bright red lipstick and chewing pink bubblegum.
Bye bye baby, bye bye sun
Saying goodbye to things that no longer serve me.
I'm Lana Del Rey from the U.S. of A.
Introducing herself as Lana Del Rey from the United States of America.
Godfather ordered up a hit from the grave
The mafia boss ordered a hit even after his death.
You know why I'm here so I'm not gonna say
I am here to cause chaos but I will not reveal my complete plan.
Fuckin' up your life in every possible way
Causing harm and destruction to every aspect of your life.
'Cause criminals run
The world is run by those who break the law.
Yeah, the criminals run
Yes, those who break the law are the ones who are in charge.
Criminals run the world
Those who break the law are running and controlling the world.
Black bra, red dress, makeup on
Wearing a black bra, a red dress, and make up.
I'm the new politician
She is the new leader.
It ain't rock, but you done rolled
This may not be rock and roll music, but it has still taken the world by storm.
Bye bye baby, loser, I won
Leaving behind what and who isn't successful.
A figment of your imagination
She is created in your mind and isn't actually there.
All my boys raise your voice let me hear it
She is speaking directly to her fans, asking them to cheer and support her.
L. Del Rey, yay! Wanna hear you cheer it
Encouraging her fans to cheer and celebrate her success.
We're in the future now
Currently, we are living in the future.
You can't be weak
Weakness isn't a luxury for some people.
Technology and money
People with these things are the ones who truly thrive.
You have live life deadly
Life must be lived like death is always looming.
Criminals run
Those who break the law hold the power and control.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
A sound effect to add emphasis to the song.
Contributed by David L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@helenaricardo5564
Fingertips in the shape of a gun
Raise it up to your heart, pow, done
Ruby lips pop pink bubblegun
Bye bye baby, bye bye sun
I’m Lana Del Rey from the U.S. of A.
Godfather ordered up a hit from the grave
You know why I’m here so I’m not gonna say
Fuckin’ up your life in every possible way
‘Cause criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Black bra, red dress, makeup on
I’m the new politician
It ain’t rock, but you done rolled
Bye bye baby, loser, I won
Lana Del Rey from the U.S. of A.
A figment of your imagination
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
All my boys raise your voice let me hear it
L. Del Rey, yay! Wanna hear you cheer it
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
We’re in the future now
You can’t be weak
Technology and money
You have live life deadly
We’re in the future now
You can’t be weak
Technology and money
You have live life deadly
Deadly, deadly, deadly
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
All my boys raise your voice let me hear it
L. Del Rey, yeah! Wanna hear you cheer it
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
@DukeBX
The best part of the song is the start:
“Fingertips in the shape of a gun
Raise it up to your heart, pow, done
Ruby lips pop pink bubblegum
Bye bye baby, bye bye sun
I'm Lana Del Rey from the U.S. of A
Godfather ordered up a hit from the grave
You know why I'm here so I'm not gonna say
Fuckin' up your life in every possible way.”
Great aggressive and sultry start. After that,the songs starts to disintegrate and sounds like a late night cold pizza eating brainstorming for lyrics session at the studio.
@zephyc2403
All my boys raise your voice let me hear it
L. Del Rey, yay! Wanna hear you cheer it
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
[Bridge]
We're in the future now
You can't be weak
Technology and money
You have live life deadly
Deadly, deadly, deadly
We're in the future now
You can't be weak
Technology and money
You have live life deadly
Deadly, deadly, deadly
[Chorus - Variation]
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
@zephyc2403
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
[Verse 2]
Black bra, red dress, makeup on
I'm the new politician
It ain't rock, but you done rolled
Bye bye baby, loser, I won
Lana Del Rey from the U.S. of A
A figment of your imagination
[Chorus - Variation]
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
Criminals run
Yeah, the criminals run
Criminals run the world
@zephyc2403
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
[Verse 1]
Fingertips in the shape of a gun
Raise it up to your heart, pow, done
Ruby lips pop pink bubblegum
Bye bye baby, bye bye sun
I'm Lana Del Rey from the U.S. of A
Godfather ordered up a hit from the grave
You know why I'm here so I'm not gonna say
Fuckin' up your life in every possible way
@emilyrose4521
I definitely prefer Hit & Run, but I'm glad I heard this version.
@emilybarker331
I feel like the only one that enjoys the 'bad' production it adds a raw real feel
@leticiabento
Emily Barker YASSS!!!! I love this version ahahah
@KathiStrahl
Sameee!😍
@totinikhan
she was probably hella drunk while singing this lmaooo
@lanadreyparadise
Demo for Hit And Run.
@M1kelCccHello
You're probably right! The cigarette companies, certain nameless dictators and others.
@M1kelCccHello
She seems to make up songs and lyrics at will.....
@solantap
I really like the rawness in this. It reminds me a bit of Noir (Yes, I know that this is a demo for Hit and Run).
@oigrrrl805
I like hearing her old demos. Their interesting, and sort of cute, even though they may be fun/silly.