Released in 2012 as a standout track on her breakthrough album, Born to Die , Lana Del Rey's is a high-gloss, alternative hip-hop anthem that critiques the intersection of love, wealth, and the American Dream. Audio Production & Composition

: The track employs "reflective nostalgia," using historical and cultural motifs to examine the contradictions of American identity and the "hollowness" of its fairytales. Critical Reception

Critics generally praised the song's ambitious production while sometimes critiquing its lyrical depth.

: It opens with sweeping strings and firework sound effects before shifting into a beat-driven groove. The production relies heavily on reverb and delay to create Del Rey's signature "hazy" sound.

The song explores the idea that in a capitalist society, "Money is the anthem of success".

British Council Worldwide

National Anthem - Lana Del Rey (audio) May 2026

: The track employs "reflective nostalgia," using historical and cultural motifs to examine the contradictions of American identity and the "hollowness" of its fairytales. Critical Reception National Anthem - Lana Del Rey (Audio)

Critics generally praised the song's ambitious production while sometimes critiquing its lyrical depth. Released in 2012 as a standout track on

: It opens with sweeping strings and firework sound effects before shifting into a beat-driven groove. The production relies heavily on reverb and delay to create Del Rey's signature "hazy" sound. : It opens with sweeping strings and firework

The song explores the idea that in a capitalist society, "Money is the anthem of success".