Lana Del Rey has reached a historic milestone on the Billboard 200. Her landmark album Born to Die is now the longest-charting album by a female artist in the history of the chart, with 618 total weeks, surpassing Adele’s 21. More than a decade after its release, the record continues to demonstrate rare longevity, cultural impact, and sustained listener devotion.
Released on January 27, 2012, Born to Die marked Del Rey’s major-label debut via Interscope and Polydor Records. At the time, the album divided critics but immediately captured public fascination. Over time, its influence has only grown stronger, transforming early skepticism into widespread critical reevaluation.
Musically, Born to Die blends baroque pop, trip-hop, and orchestral elements with hip-hop–inspired rhythms. Lyrically, Del Rey explores themes of love, desire, self-destruction, and nostalgia, often filtered through imagery tied to 1950s and 1960s Americana. Songs like “Video Games” and “Born to Die” became some of Lana’s biggest hits.
The project produced several other notable singles, including “Blue Jeans,” “National Anthem,” and “Dark Paradise.” Its biggest commercial moment came with “Summertime Sadness,” which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Del Rey’s highest-charting U.S. single at the time. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and topped charts across Europe and Australia, finishing 2012 as the fifth best-selling album worldwide. In November 2012, Del Rey expanded the era with Born to Die: The Paradise Edition, which included the Paradise EP.
Leave a Reply