Courtney Love has expressed her desire to collaborate with Lana Del Rey, calling her a dream creative partner—even though she recently suggested that Del Rey should “take seven years off” from music.
In a recent interview with The Standard, the Hole frontwoman discussed her future plans, revealing that she admires Del Rey’s artistry and would love to co-write a song with her. Reflecting on her approach, Love shared:
“I’d like to be ‘Paul’ and go hard on choruses while going back to ‘Norman’ and go hard on choruses, or whatever.”
The nod to Norman Fucking Rockwell! showcases Love’s admiration for Del Rey’s 2019 album, which was widely celebrated for its lyrical depth and emotional resonance.
Interestingly, Love’s comments come just months after she voiced dissatisfaction with Del Rey’s recent work, citing her 2023 cover of John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads as a turning point. “I think she should really take seven years off,” Love said earlier this year, explaining that Del Rey’s music had influenced her own songwriting to the point where she had to stop listening.
Despite this critique, Love has consistently praised Del Rey’s talent. She once called her and Kurt Cobain “the only true musical geniuses” she’d ever known, adding:
“She’s got the integrity that Kurt had… Lana? She’s got a magic thing. And she’s not even fucked up!”
The two artists share a deep history, having toured together in 2014 and publicly celebrated each other’s work. Del Rey has described Love as “totally entrancing, a born performer,” while Love has referred to them as “the queens of rage and anguish.”
In the interview, Love also expressed admiration for other artists, including Lorde, Kendrick Lamar, and UK femme drill musicians. “It has to sound organic—not forced,” she said, underscoring her commitment to authentic artistic expression.
Love’s forthcoming solo album, her first since 2002’s America’s Sweetheart, features collaborations with Echo & the Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. Love described the latter partnership as transformative:
“I fell down weeping hearing his voice—it’s better than ever! I thought I knew the outcome, but I’m still the grasshopper while Michael is the sensei.”
Meanwhile, Del Rey is prepping up for the release of her next album, The Right Person Will Stay, and has announced a UK and Ireland stadium tour for summer 2025.
While the timing of Love’s praise for Del Rey may seem contradictory, it reflects the layered relationship between the two artists—one built on mutual admiration, occasional critique, and a shared understanding of emotional depth in their music. Whether this admiration leads to a collaborative effort remains to be seen, but fans of both artists are sure to keep watching.
