Contemporary music critics lauded the single, calling it "haunting" and "somber". Lyrically, the song follows a young lover's apprehension about whether love can last.
Del Rey and Nowels received accolades for their songwriting from various music and film awards, including nominations for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, and Best Song at the 19th Critics' Choice Awards. They eventually won the Best Original Song at the 18th Satellite Awards. On January 26, 2014, "Young and Beautiful" was announced as number 7 on the annual Triple J's Hottest 100 in Australia.
Young and Beautiful
Lana Del Rey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, in Bel-Air now
Hot summer nights, mid July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, city lights
The way you'd play with me like a child
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I've got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
I've seen the world, lit it up
As my stage now
Channeling angels in the new age now
Hot summer days, rock and roll
The way you play for me at your show
And all the ways, I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I've got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Dear Lord, when I get to heaven
Please let me bring my man
When he comes tell me that you'll let him in
Father tell me if you can
All that grace, all that body
All that face, makes me wanna party
He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I've got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I'm not young and beautiful?
In "Young and Beautiful," Lana Del Rey sings about a classic theme: the fear of aging and the insecurity of no longer being physically attractive. Throughout the song, Del Rey reminisces about her past experiences, including crazy days, hot summer nights, and a life full of luxury and love. She reflects on her youth, which is captured in the lines "When you and I were forever wild" and "The way you'd play with me like a child," indicating the innocence and carefree spirit that accompanies youth.
Despite being haunted by the fear of aging and beauty loss, Del Rey holds onto hope that her lover will love her even when she is no longer the beautiful young woman he fell in love with. She is desperate to know if he will love her "when [she has] got nothing but [her] aching soul." Del Rey seems to imply that their love is stronger than her fear of aging and superficial beauty standards, as she believes he will love her regardless of her physical appearance.
The final lines of the song suggest that Del Rey's lover is the source of her inner radiance, making her "shine like diamonds." She ends the song with the question, "Will you still love me when I'm not young and beautiful?", admitting her vulnerability and insecurities. However, the repeated refrain, "I know you will" expresses her unwavering faith in their love despite her aging and changing appearance.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen the world, done it all
I have traveled everywhere and experienced everything the world has to offer
Had my cake now
I have enjoyed all of life's luxuries
Diamonds, brilliant, in Bel-Air now
I now have all the material riches that I could wish for
Hot summer nights, mid July
I remember the warm summer evenings we spent together in the middle of July
When you and I were forever wild
During the times we were together, we had a carefree spirit
The crazy days, city lights
We had wild and exciting times in the city
The way you'd play with me like a child
You enjoyed having fun and playing with me like a child would
Will you still love me
Do you promise to continue loving me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Even if I am no longer youthful and attractive
When I've got nothing but my aching soul?
When all I have left is my weary soul
I know you will, I know you will
I trust that you will keep your promise
I know that you will
I am certain that you will
Dear Lord, when I get to heaven
In the event that I pass away and find myself in heaven
Please let me bring my man
Please allow the man I love to accompany me
When he comes tell me that you'll let him in
Please assure me that you will let him enter if and when he arrives
Father tell me if you can
Dear Lord, is it possible for you to provide me with this assurance?
All that grace, all that body
I find him to be an elegant and attractive person
All that face, makes me wanna party
I am deeply attracted to his face, and it makes me want to celebrate
He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds
He is like my source of light, and being with him makes me feel radiant and beautiful
Will you still love me
Do you promise to continue loving me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Even if I am no longer youthful and attractive
Will you still love me
Do you promise to continue loving me
When I've got nothing but my aching soul?
When all I have left is my weary soul
I know you will, I know you will
I trust that you will keep your promise
I know that you will
I am certain that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me even if I lose my outward beauty?
Will you still love me when I'm not young and beautiful?
Will you still love me even if I am no longer youthful and attractive?
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elizabeth Grant, Rick Nowels
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nievesclarisse
I've seen the world
Done it all, had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, and Bel-Air now
Hot summer nights mid July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, the city lights
The way you'd play with me like a child
Will you still love meย
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love meย
When I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
I've seen the world
Lit it up as my stage now
Channeling angels in
The new age now
Hot summer days, rock and roll
The way you'd play for me at your show
And all the ways I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul
Will you still love meย
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love meย
When I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful
Dear Lord when I get to heaven
Please let me bring my man
When he comes tell me that you'll let him in
Father tell me if you can
All that grace, all that body
All that face makes me wanna party
He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamondsโก
Will you still love meย
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love meย
When I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love meย
When I'm not young and beautiful?
Lana Del Rey - Young and beautiful
@almondsubliminals3517
7 years later and this song is still littt
@Anonymist79
Agreed
@nellielandes6696
It's always gonna be lit
@giannazappier759
Facts but everyone has forgotten about this and this can not be forgotten
@nicoosuxx
yessss <3
@nellielandes6696
@SophieSophs it's hard, but the pain will fade away eventually, and one day someone will love you as much as you'll love them, and all will be good again
@Tanya-zb8iu
This...this song is just unbelievable...years down the line people will listen to this song and fall in love all over again. Thank you Lana for this gift.
@rihannacampos5222
I am yawing this song for my sweet 15
@JJ-zz7et
ุชุฏูููู ุญุจูุจุชู
@ๅพชๅฉ็ฏ
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu