It received a mixed to positive reception from contemporary critics, who praised the song's cinematic arrangement and haunting vocal performance by Del Rey.

[2] The song was promoted with a music video, directed by French artist Yoann Lemoine (also known as Woodkid), that portrays Del Rey in an unstable relationship with her boyfriend, played by model Bradley Soileau, as they go on a car trip that results in her death.

[1][6] The song features "gently apocalyptic" lyrics,[3] and opens with Del Rey singing "Feet don't fail me now/ Take me to the finish line/ Oh my heart, it breaks every step that I take/ But I'm hoping at the gates, they'll tell me that you're mine.

"[7] According to the singer, the song is a "homage to true love and a tribute to living life on the wild side",[4] theme that is perceived in lines such as "Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain, you like your girls insane.

[8] Laura Snapes of NME compared the background to "melted chocolate waterslide, buffeted by impeccable production",[3] with the John Barry-esque "whipping strings" being noted as similar to the music scores of Gone with the Wind (1939) and Western (1997).

[10] Following the release of the single, Robert Copsey of Digital Spy commented, "we thought it would be near-impossible for Lana to top the chilling 'Video Games', but her new cut – the title track from her forthcoming album – may just have out-haunted its predecessor.

"[14] The music video for "Born to Die" was based on a concept created by Del Rey, and it was directed by Yoann Lemoine,[15] who previously worked with Katy Perry on "Teenage Dream" (2010) and Taylor Swift on "Back to December" (2010).

[16] Del Rey wrote the concept in the form of a treatment she titled, "The Lonely Queen"[17] The video was intended to be set in heaven, metaphorically represented by a Romanian castle.

[17] Unlike the singer's previous music videos, "Born to Die" had a significantly higher budget and production,[18] with film location taking place at the Palace of Fontainebleau in France.

[17] The video begins with Del Rey seen standing topless in the arms of a tattooed man, played by model Bradley Soileau,[19] with the American flag as a backdrop.

The trip intercuts with scenes of the couple staying at a luxurious hotel, where they are seen lying on a bed together with the boyfriend ominously holding Del Rey's throat at one point.

[24] As Del Rey makes her way out the hotel, the scene cuts back to an apparent car accident, with the singer's bloodied corpse being carried by her lover as a huge fire burns behind them.

Also, the video intercuts scenes shot at the Palace of Fontainebleau, showing Del Rey sitting on a throne with tigers beside her in the Trinity Chapel or walking in the Gallery of Francis I.

"[25] Becky Bain of Idolator commented that "Interscope apparently has much faith in Del Rey, as the video for her second single, 'Born to Die', looks like it has the budget of about 15 of her 'Video Games' clips.

[27][28] "Born to Die" was performed by Del Rey in a number of live appearances, including at the Bowery Ballroom, where, according to Eliot Glazer of New York, "the polarizing indie hipstress brought her 'gangsta Nancy Sinatra' swagu.

"[29] Matthew Perpetua of Rolling Stone commented that, despite Del Rey being nervous and anxious while performing the song live, the singer "sang with considerable confidence, though her transitions from husky, come-hither sexuality to bratty, girlish petulance could be rather jarring.