Margaret
by Lana Del Rey (featuring Bleachers)

Album: Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Rumors first swirled about a potential romance between Lana Del Rey's frequent producer and co-writer Jack Antonoff and actress Margaret Qualley in early 2021 after they were spotted getting cozy in New York City. They kept their relationship under wraps until the AFI Awards Luncheon in March 2022, which they attended together, solidifying their public presence as a couple. Engagement rumors erupted two months later after Margaret was seen sporting a stunning diamond ring at the Cannes Film Festival. Shortly after, their engagement was confirmed.

    "Margaret" is a duet between Lana Del Rey and Jack Antonoff under his Bleachers moniker. The song centers on Antonoff's romance with Qualley.
  • Del Rey and Antonoff wrote "Margaret" in September 2022. It was the last song they wrote for Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. "I was done with the album, and he came in for a couple days, "Del Rey told Billboard. "We sat there, and I said, 'let's just play the piano.' I can make a song out of anything Jack plays."

    "He started playing something and then I was thinking about his fiancée who I just can't live without! I love her," she continued. "I started singing, 'He met Margaret on a rooftop, she was wearing white,' and he was like, 'I might be in trouble.'"
  • When it came to the second verse, Del Rey turned to Antonoff for advice because he and Margaret were already living a "when you know you know" story. "He had the idea to sing about what you should do when you don't know," she said. "He started singing, and I told him he should just sing it on the record. It was really fun."
  • Del Rey suggests the wedding date on the bridge:

    I mean, join the party
    By the way, the party is December 18


    Antonoff and Qualley actually married in Long Beach Island, New Jersey on August 19, 2023. "[Lana] was kind enough to not put my real wedding date in the song, Qualley told the Los Angeles Times. "But I love that song so much. It makes me feel like I'm living in a dream. She's my favorite poet. I adore her."
  • Del Rey debuted the song live when she performed it in April 2023 with Antonoff at the High Water Festival.
  • Margaret Qualley told Del Rey she cried during her first listen of the song. Hopefully in a good way.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.