Lana Del Rey has become one of the most distinctive and influential artists of modern music. With her cinematic songwriting, haunting vocals, and nostalgic approach to pop, she has created a musical identity that feels both timeless and unmistakably her own. Throughout her career, she has released countless memorable songs and worked alongside some remarkable musicians, firmly establishing her place in contemporary music history.
However, Del Rey’s artistic identity has never existed in isolation. She has frequently acknowledged the musicians who shaped her musical taste, influenced her songwriting, and inspired her creative vision. Through lyrical references, musical covers, interviews, and subtle Easter eggs hidden throughout her work, she has consistently paid tribute to the artists she admires.
Her musical influences stretch across different generations and genres. From legendary folk songwriters and rock icons to deeply expressive contemporary musicians, Del Rey has always appreciated artists who bring emotional honesty, individuality, and a distinctive perspective to their music.
With her own timeless sound and unmistakable artistic style, it is fascinating to explore the singers who helped shape her musical world.
Here are six singers Lana Del Rey has admired throughout her life.
1. Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen holds a particularly special place in Lana Del Rey’s musical world. The legendary Canadian singer-songwriter was celebrated for his poetic lyrics, melancholic melodies, and deeply introspective approach to songwriting. These qualities have clear connections with Del Rey’s own artistic sensibilities.
When Cohen passed away in November 2016, Del Rey paid tribute to him by sharing a cover of his song ‘Chelsea Hotel #2’. Alongside the performance, she wrote an emotional message expressing how profoundly his music had influenced her life.
She admitted that she wished she had been able to tell him how much he had changed her, describing him as one of the very few artists, alongside Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, who made her feel as though they spoke her language.
For Del Rey, Cohen was more than simply a musical influence. His songwriting represented a kind of emotional connection that she continued searching for in music and in the people around her.
2. Amy Winehouse
It is hardly surprising that Amy Winehouse appears among the artists Lana Del Rey admires. Both singers have been associated with deeply personal songwriting, vintage musical influences, and a willingness to explore vulnerability through their voices.
Winehouse’s extraordinary ability to combine soul, jazz, and contemporary pop created a sound that was entirely her own. Her lyrics were often brutally honest, while her vocal performances carried an unmistakable emotional intensity.
Del Rey has spoken about the enormous impact Winehouse’s life and death had on her. In fact, Winehouse’s passing in 2011 affected her so deeply that she briefly considered giving up music altogether.
Del Rey received her first significant review on the very day Winehouse died, making the experience particularly difficult for her. The tragedy left a lasting impression, especially as she was beginning to find her own place in the music industry.
Both artists have demonstrated how powerful music can become when personal experiences, heartbreak, and emotional honesty are transformed into songwriting.
3. Father John Misty
Among Lana Del Rey’s musical contemporaries, Father John Misty is an especially interesting influence. Known for his sophisticated songwriting, distinctive vocal delivery, and occasionally dark sense of humour, he shares several artistic qualities with Del Rey.
The two musicians have developed a creative relationship over the years, collaborating on projects and showing appreciation for each other’s work. Del Rey has also performed his music, demonstrating her admiration for his songwriting.
Their artistic connection became particularly visible when Father John Misty appeared in Del Rey’s music video. Speaking about the experience, he described it as a dream and joked that he would do anything she told him to.
He also explained that he enjoyed playing the role of her puppet in the video, appreciating the opportunity to be directed by a woman in such a position.
Their relationship reflects a mutual respect between two artists who share an appreciation for cinematic storytelling, unconventional characters, and emotionally detailed songwriting.
4. Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain, the legendary frontman of Nirvana, has also been an important musical influence on Lana Del Rey.
Del Rey has spoken openly about discovering Cobain when she was just 11 years old. Watching him perform ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ on MTV left an unforgettable impression on her. She recalled being captivated by his appearance, voice, and emotional intensity.
Although she did not revisit his music until she was around 17 or 18, the connection remained just as powerful when she returned to it.
Cobain’s influence extended beyond his music. Del Rey particularly admired his refusal to compromise his artistic identity, both lyrically and sonically. His willingness to express himself without worrying about commercial expectations resonated strongly with her own approach to songwriting.
She once described his music as a primary inspiration when it came to maintaining artistic independence and staying true to her creative instincts.
Despite the controversy surrounding some of her earlier comments about Cobain’s death, her admiration for his musical talent and uncompromising artistic vision has remained an important part of her story.
5. Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell is another legendary songwriter whose influence can be felt throughout Lana Del Rey’s musical identity.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time, Mitchell built her reputation through poetic storytelling, emotional vulnerability, and an extraordinary ability to translate personal experiences into music.
Del Rey has frequently acknowledged her admiration for Mitchell and her remarkable catalogue of songs. Her appreciation became especially clear when she recorded a version of Mitchell’s ‘For Free’ for her 2021 album Chemtrails Over the Country Club.
The song originally appeared on Mitchell’s 1970 album Ladies of the Canyon and explores the contrast between commercial success and the simple pleasure of making music.
Del Rey connected with its message because of her own early experiences performing before becoming famous. She recalled singing in small venues and making music simply because she loved it, rather than because she expected financial rewards or recognition.
Her decision to record the song was also significant because she does not generally include cover versions on her studio albums.
Through this tribute, Del Rey demonstrated her appreciation for Mitchell’s songwriting philosophy and the importance of remaining connected to the original reasons for making music.
6. Elvis Presley
Few musicians have left a cultural legacy as enormous as Elvis Presley. Known as the King of Rock and Roll, Presley transformed popular music through his distinctive voice, energetic performances, and unmistakable stage presence.
For Lana Del Rey, however, Elvis represents more than just another legendary musician. He is part of a wider collection of cultural icons with whom she feels a personal connection.
Her admiration for Presley has appeared throughout her songwriting and visual references. She even wrote a song titled ‘Elvis’, reflecting her fascination with the legendary performer.
Del Rey has also spoken about feeling personally connected to historical icons, including Elvis Presley and actor John Wayne. She explained that growing up, she often felt different from the people around her, particularly in the way she thought about mortality and the lives of famous figures.
As a result, she developed a strong emotional attachment to artists and personalities she had never actually met.
Presley’s influence on popular music is undeniable, and Del Rey’s appreciation for him reflects her lifelong fascination with the golden age of American entertainment.
The Artists Behind Lana Del Rey’s Musical World
Lana Del Rey’s admiration for these six singers offers an interesting insight into the musical foundations of her own artistry. From Leonard Cohen’s poetic storytelling and Amy Winehouse’s emotional intensity to Kurt Cobain’s artistic independence and Joni Mitchell’s extraordinary songwriting, each artist represents a different aspect of the musical world she values.
What connects them is not necessarily their genre or generation, but their ability to create something deeply personal and unmistakably their own.
Del Rey has built a remarkable career by drawing inspiration from the past while creating music that feels entirely contemporary. Her appreciation for these legendary voices reminds us that even the most original artists are often shaped by the musicians who came before them.
In many ways, understanding the artists she admires helps us better understand the unique musical universe she has created.