Lana Del Rey Might’ve Insulted The Beach Boys’ ‘Kokomo’ in 1 of Her Songs
The Beach Boys‘ “Kokomo” was critically reviled, but it’s been a summer classic for decades. Lana Del Rey even mentioned it in a song. However, that song could be seen as disrespectful toward “Kokomo.” Here’s a look at some fascinatingly ambiguous lyrics in one of Del Rey’s ballads.
1 Lana Del Rey song mentions The Beach Boys’ ‘Kokomo’ and David Bowie’s ‘Life on Mars?’
One of the pleasures of Del Rey’s discography is how she carefully weaves references to classic rock songs throughout her work. Her tunes name-drop great tracks like the Plastic Ono Band’s “Give Peace a Chance,” Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer,” The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows,” Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” and Tommy James and the Shondells’ “Crimson and Cover.” Del Rey’s ballad “The Greatest” stays true to form.
“The Greatest” alludes to Kanye West, David Bowie’s “Life on Mars?,” and Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” It also includes the cryptic line, “I miss the bar where The Beach Boys would go / Dennis’ last stop before Kokomo.” The Beach Boys’ Dennis Wilson died in 1983, five years before the debut of “Kokomo.” Either Del Rey is making a historical error or there’s something else going on there — and the latter possibility is more likely.
Lana Del Rey is commenting on the metaphorical death of The Beach Boys
Wilson’s death was a huge blow to The Beach Boys on a personal level. Meanwhile, “Kokomo” was a big blow to the band’s image. For many, that song was the point where the band stopped trying to innovate and became a shell of its former self.
Perhaps Del Rey is saying that the amazing version of The Beach Boys that Wilson was part of died with “Kokomo.” That would be a harsh critique of the song. However, it’s pretty common for critics to say “Kokomo” is awful or even one of the worst pop songs ever.
What Mike Love said about ‘Kokomo’ decades later
During a 2019 interview with Keys Weekly, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love discussed the origin of “Kokomo” and seemed to have no regrets. “‘Kokomo’ was a name that originated with John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas,” Love recalled. “Phillips wrote the melody and the verse, and I wrote the chorus, and our friend Terry Melcher produced the record, and he came up with the ‘Oooh I want to take you’ and it was a true collaboration.”
Love even seemed to brag about the success and continued relevance of “Kokomo.” “It’s said to be our biggest hit single and everybody sings along,” he said. While the critics tried to get away from “Kokomo,’ the public has been visiting that little island repeatedly for nearly 40 years.
Despite the lyrics of “The Greatest,” the Love family seems to take no issue with Del Rey. During a 2024 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Love revealed that a member of his family loves the “Born to Die” singer. “My daughter Ambha, who’s 28, she’s been a fan of that person since she was Lizzy Grant,” Love said, recalling one of Del Rey’s early stage names. “She even told Lana, ‘Hey, I’ve been playing my dad your music since I was 12.’ Lana got a kick out of that.”
Whether you love “Kokomo” or hate it, it had an interesting impact on Del Rey.
