# Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
**Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd** is the ninth studio album by the American singer-songwriter [Lana Del Rey](https://www.edgepedia.org/lana-del-rey), released on March 24, 2023 through [Polydor Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/polydor-records), with [Interscope Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/interscope-records) handling release in the United States. Its 16 tracks run 77 minutes, making it the longest album of her career, and its title refers to the Jergins Tunnel, a pedestrian tunnel that ran under Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, California.[1](https://music.apple.com/us/album/did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/1655349115) • [2](https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-lana-del-rey-new-album-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) • [3](https://www.theringer.com/2023/03/29/music/lana-del-rey-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Artist / album | Ninth studio album by Lana Del Rey (born Elizabeth Grant)[1](https://music.apple.com/us/album/did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/1655349115) • [4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) |
| Released | March 24, 2023; Polydor Records, Interscope Records in the USA[1](https://music.apple.com/us/album/did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/1655349115) |
| Length | 16 tracks, 77 minutes; her longest album[2](https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-lana-del-rey-new-album-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) |
| Title reference | The Jergins Tunnel under Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, California, open from 1927 until 1967[3](https://www.theringer.com/2023/03/29/music/lana-del-rey-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review) |
| Main collaborators | Jack Antonoff (production on most of the album), Drew Erickson, Mike Hermosa[5](https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/album-reviews/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-our-review-27703/) • [6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/20/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review) |
| Featured artists | Jon Batiste, SYML, RIOPY, Father John Misty, [Bleachers](https://www.edgepedia.org/bleachers-band), Tommy Genesis, and Judah Smith[7](https://www.grammy.com/news/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-2023-new-album-takeaways-grammys/) |
| Grammy nominations | Five at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for "A&W"[8](https://www.grammy.com/artists/lana-del-rey/17822/) |
## Title and background
The title points to a real place. The Jergins Tunnel ran underneath a busy intersection in Long Beach and was open from 1927 until 1967; according to Del Rey it still has "mosaic ceilings, painted tiles on the wall."[3](https://www.theringer.com/2023/03/29/music/lana-del-rey-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review) Pitchfork's summary of the album noted flatly that "there is indeed a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, California."[2](https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-lana-del-rey-new-album-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) Critics read the sealed-up tunnel as a metaphor for beauty that fades or is forgotten, and for fault lines hidden beneath the surface, both of the city and of the writer.[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) • [3](https://www.theringer.com/2023/03/29/music/lana-del-rey-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review)
The title track was released ahead of the album; its official audio appeared on Del Rey's YouTube channel on December 7, 2022, with [Jack Antonoff](https://www.edgepedia.org/jack-antonoff) and Drew Erickson among its producers and Mike Hermosa credited as co-writer.[9](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuY54A3bOmg) It was her third album in 25 months, following *Chemtrails Over the Country Club* and *Blue Banisters*, both from 2021.[3](https://www.theringer.com/2023/03/29/music/lana-del-rey-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review)
## Songwriting and themes
**Family, grief, and legacy** anchor the record. It opens with "The Grants," a track named for Del Rey's actual family name, inspired by [John Denver](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-denver)'s 1972 song "Rocky Mountain High" and built around the line "My pastor told me when you leave, all you take is your memory."[7](https://www.grammy.com/news/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-2023-new-album-takeaways-grammys/) Critics observed that the familiar American imagery of her work gave way in large part to details drawn from her personal life: her brothers and sister are mentioned by name repeatedly, a track takes its title from [Margaret Qualley](https://www.edgepedia.org/margaret-qualley), the actor engaged to her producer Jack Antonoff, and five tracks were co-written with Mike Hermosa, a former boyfriend.[6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/20/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review)
Motherhood and mortality run through the middle of the album. On "Fingertips" she asks, "Will the baby be all right / Will I have one of mine? / Can I handle it even if I do?", and "Kintsugi," named after the [Japanese art](https://www.edgepedia.org/japanese-art) of repairing broken pottery with gold, meditates on deaths in her family and borrows its chorus idea from [Leonard Cohen](https://www.edgepedia.org/leonard-cohen)'s "Anthem."[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) • [7](https://www.grammy.com/news/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-2023-new-album-takeaways-grammys/) A college-radio review identified inadequacy, grief, and the question of continuing the family line as central themes.[10](https://kjhk.org/web/2023/10/10/did-you-know-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review/)
The album also looks inward at fame. On the lead single "A&W," whose title stands in for "American Whore," Del Rey cycles through avatars of the scrutinized woman before the song turns, about four minutes in, from voice-memo balladry into boom-bap rap.[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) • [11](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2023/03/29/on-did-you-know-that-there-s-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-lana-del-rey-dives-deep_6021122_30.html) "Judah Smith Interlude" is a four-and-a-half-minute sermon on lust by the pastor Judah Smith, recorded with little comment beyond occasional laughter or affirmation, and Smith is a credited co-writer on the track.[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) • [12](https://apnews.com/article/fa5e39ef60eeea4285d71b1cbcf66626)
## Music and production
Most of the album was produced with Jack Antonoff, her close collaborator since 2019's *Norman Fucking Rockwell!*, with additional production from Drew Erickson and [Zach Dawes](https://www.edgepedia.org/zach-dawes) on the title track.[1](https://music.apple.com/us/album/did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/1655349115) • [5](https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/album-reviews/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-our-review-27703/) Many songs dispense with choruses and hooks; the Guardian described the record as her quietest and most wilfully inscrutable in a long time, with songs that feel like Del Rey simply standing in front of a microphone.[6](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/20/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review)
The stylistic range is wide. Gospel instrumentation appears on "The Grants," the title track, and "Sweet"; "Let the Light In" is a folk-leaning duet with [Father John Misty](https://www.edgepedia.org/father-john-misty); "Candy Necklace," a duet with the jazz pianist [Jon Batiste](https://www.edgepedia.org/jon-batiste), leans toward psychedelia tinged with soul; and the final third moves into R&B on "Fishtail," a Tommy Genesis sample on "Peppers," and trap production on "Taco Truck x VB."[10](https://kjhk.org/web/2023/10/10/did-you-know-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review/) • [11](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2023/03/29/on-did-you-know-that-there-s-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-lana-del-rey-dives-deep_6021122_30.html) The closing track reuses large portions of "Venice Bitch" from *Norman Fucking Rockwell!* over 808s and trap-style drums, and includes a previously unheard alternate version of that song.[2](https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-lana-del-rey-new-album-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) • [5](https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/album-reviews/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-our-review-27703/) The album carries the highest number of featured artists of any of her records.[7](https://www.grammy.com/news/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-2023-new-album-takeaways-grammys/)
One collaboration drew particular attention: on "Margaret," written about Antonoff's fiancée Margaret Qualley, Antonoff's voice appears alongside Del Rey's for the first time since the two began working together.[5](https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/album-reviews/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-our-review-27703/)
## Reception and awards
Critical response was largely strong. Pitchfork's review called it "a sweeping, sterling, often confounding work of self-mythology and psychoamericana"; the Guardian's Kitty Empire review called it "engrossing" and "audacious"; the Washington Post wrote that it presents Del Rey "at the height of her powers"; and Rolling Stone UK framed it as the work of an artist embracing her light.[4](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/) • [13](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/26/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review-bold-and-enthralling) • [14](https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2023/03/27/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review/) • [5](https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/album-reviews/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-our-review-27703/) The Guardian ranked it [No. 6](https://www.edgepedia.org/no-6) on its list of the 50 best albums of 2023, and readers of *Le Monde* placed it first among the year's music releases.[15](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/15/the-50-best-albums-of-2023-no-6-lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd) • [16](https://www.lemonde.fr/les-envies-du-monde/article/2023/12/30/les-albums-de-musique-de-2023-plebiscites-par-les-lecteurs-du-monde_6208380_6024727.html)
At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards the album drew five nominations: Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album for the record itself, Song of the Year and Best Alternative Music Performance for "A&W," and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Candy Necklace" with Jon Batiste.[8](https://www.grammy.com/artists/lana-del-rey/17822/) The album's songs continued to circulate long after release; the Ringer noted that tracks from her catalog regularly went viral, and the album's longevity on streaming reflected that pattern.[3](https://www.theringer.com/2023/03/29/music/lana-del-rey-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review)
## References
1. [Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd – Album by Lana Del Rey, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/1655349115)
2. [5 Takeaways From Lana Del Rey's New Album Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-lana-del-rey-new-album-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/)
3. [Lana Del Rey in Present Tense, The Ringer](https://www.theringer.com/2023/03/29/music/lana-del-rey-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review)
4. [Lana Del Rey: Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd Album Review, Pitchfork](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd/)
5. [Lana Del Rey 'Did You Know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd': review, Rolling Stone UK](https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/album-reviews/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-our-review-27703/)
6. [Lana Del Rey: Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd review – arresting introspection, The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/20/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review)
7. [5 Takeaways From Lana Del Rey's New Album 'Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd', Grammy.com](https://www.grammy.com/news/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-2023-new-album-takeaways-grammys/)
8. [Lana Del Rey Grammy Awards and Nominations, Grammy.com](https://www.grammy.com/artists/lana-del-rey/17822/)
9. [Lana Del Rey – Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd (Audio), official YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuY54A3bOmg)
10. [Did you know there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd Review, KJHK 90.7 FM](https://kjhk.org/web/2023/10/10/did-you-know-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review/)
11. [On 'Did You know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd,' Lana Del Rey dives deep, Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2023/03/29/on-did-you-know-that-there-s-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-lana-del-rey-dives-deep_6021122_30.html)
12. [Lana Del Rey did marry alligator swamp tour guide Jeremy Dufrene in Louisiana, document shows, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/fa5e39ef60eeea4285d71b1cbcf66626)
13. [Lana Del Rey: Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd review – bold and enthralling, The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/26/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review-bold-and-enthralling)
14. [Lana Del Rey album review: She is a realist — and reality is weird, The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2023/03/27/lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd-review/)
15. [The 50 best albums of 2023, No 6 – Lana Del Rey: Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/15/the-50-best-albums-of-2023-no-6-lana-del-rey-did-you-know-that-theres-a-tunnel-under-ocean-blvd)
16. [Les albums de musique de 2023 plébiscités par les lecteurs du « Monde », Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/les-envies-du-monde/article/2023/12/30/les-albums-de-musique-de-2023-plebiscites-par-les-lecteurs-du-monde_6208380_6024727.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musical works and recordings › Albums and recorded releases › Studio albums › Pop albums › 2020s albums › Albums by American artists*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license