Ladykillers (song)

"Ladykillers" is a song by English alternative rock band Lush. It was released by 4AD in 1996 as the second single from the band's third studio album, Lovelife. Known for its feminist themes, the song became one of the band's bigger hits,[1] peaking at No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 18 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and No. 15 on the Canadian RPM Alternative 30 chart.

"Ladykillers"
Single by Lush
from the album Lovelife
Released26 February 1996
Genre
Length3:46
Label4AD
Songwriter(s)Miki Berenyi
Producer(s)
Lush singles chronology
"Single Girl"
(1996)		 "Ladykillers"
(1996)		 "500 (Shake Baby Shake)"
(1996)

Background

"Ladykillers" was described as a Britpop track[2] and "a punky shot of Blondie-esque new wave".[3] Lacking the reverb-indebted sound of the band's previous material, the track opened with "attention-seizing circular melody and spunky vocals" from lead vocalist Miki Berenyi.[4] Some critics, including AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine, claimed that it was influenced by "the direct, jagged pop of Elastica",[5] but the band were annoyed by what Berenyi called "stupid Elastica comparisons".[6]

Critical reception

Annie Zaleski of The A.V. Club regarded the song as one of the album's standouts, describing it as "a welcome antidote to Britpop’s masculine point of view". Zaleski further stated that the track is "a righteous feminist statement in which Lush reminds those with a Y chromosome that respecting women and treating them like smart, competent human beings is perhaps the best first step."[3] Consequence of Sound critic Frank Mojica stated that Berenyi eviscerates "men with transparent agendas and dubious attitudes towards women everywhere with an infectiously sarcastic wit". He concluded: "It’s what would have been hyped as a girl power anthem had it been released a couple years later."[4]

The track was featured on VH1's list of "Top 10 Britpop Tracks".[2]

Music video

A music video for the song, directed by Mark Pellington, was released in 1996.[7] It features the band performing the song, as well as footage of praying mantises decapitating one another.[8]

Track listings

4AD CD single (CD1)

  1. "Ladykillers" – 3:14
  2. "Matador" – 3:01
  3. "Ex" – 3:14
  4. "Dear Me" (Miki's 8-track Home Demo) – 3:06

4AD CD single (CD2)

  1. "Ladykillers" – 3:15
  2. "Heavenly" – 2:53
  3. "Carmen" – 3:19
  4. "Plums and Oranges" – 6:19

4AD 7"

A1. "Ladykillers" – 3:14
A2. "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend" (The Rubinoos cover) – 3:19

Personnel

Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[9] 15
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[10] 49
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[11] 28
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[12] 22
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[13] 18
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References
  1. Diver, Mike. "Lush - Lovelife". BBC. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  2. Bradley, Megan. "Before One Direction: A Look Back on Britpop". VH1. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  3. Zaleski, Annie (20 January 2016). "Lush's "Ladykillers" was a feminist antidote to Britpop's dude overload". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  4. Mojica, Frank (28 April 2012). "Dusting 'Em Off: Lush – Lovelife". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  5. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Lush - Lovelife". Allmusic. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  6. Gilbert, Pat. "'Record Collector' Magazine Article: Lush". Record Collector.
  7. "Lush - Ladykillers". CMT. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  8. Hagemann, Nick (10 September 1996). "Everything and the Girl: Interview with Lush". The Michigan Journal. 26 (3): 9.
  9. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2974." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  10. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13 no. 11. 16 March 1996. p. 17. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  11. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  13. "Lush Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
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