Lucky Man (The Verve song)
"Lucky Man" is a song by English rock band The Verve. It was written by singer Richard Ashcroft. The song was released as the third single from the band's third studio album, Urban Hymns (1997). It was released on 24 November 1997, charting at number seven on the UK Singles Chart. The song was also the band's second top 20 hit on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States, climbing to number 16. In Canada, "Lucky Man" peaked at number 25 on the RPM Top Singles chart. It also reached the top 40 in Finland, Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand.
"Lucky Man" | ||||
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Single by The Verve | ||||
from the album Urban Hymns | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 24 November 1997 | |||
Recorded | 1997 | |||
Studio | Olympic Studios, London | |||
Genre | Britpop | |||
Length | 4:53 | |||
Label | Hut | |||
Songwriter(s) | Richard Ashcroft | |||
Producer(s) | Youth, The Verve | |||
The Verve singles chronology | ||||
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Background
The final B-side on CD 2 of the UK release, "Happiness More or Less", was a remix of the title track made by guitarist Nick McCabe after another B-side was needed for the release. All of the guitar and most of the vocal parts were taken out, leaving the drums, bass and strings. Another B-side on CD 2, "MSG", was an alternate version of "Bitter Sweet Symphony", which featured the percussion and bass line from that song, with psychedelic soundscapes added. An earlier single from the band, "History", was included as a B-side on CD 1. Lucky Man was remastered in 2004 for the film The Girl Next Door. It also appeared in the soundtrack for Marley and Me (2008 film) .
Music videos
The UK version of the video was directed by Andy Baybutt and sees the band in the Thames Reach development, adjacent to the Thames Wharf complex; this is situated near Hammersmith, west London in post code W6 9HA. Richard Ashcroft sings the song whilst playing an acoustic guitar; the rest of the band look on. The Thames Wharf Complex was designed by Sir Richard Rogers. The US version was shot in New York City, featuring the band in an apartment and then travelling to a mountain top.
Reception
U2's Bono listed the song as one of six songs released between 1986–2006 that he wished he'd written.[1][2]
Track listings
CD 1 (HUTDG 92)
- "Lucky Man" – 4:57
- "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:31
- "History" – 5:08
CD 2 (HUTDX 92)
- "Lucky Man" – 4:57
- "MSG" – 7:00
- "The Longest Day" – 7:21
- "Lucky Man (Happiness More or Less)" – 4:57
Cassette (HUTC 92)
- "Lucky Man" – 4:57
- "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:31
7" (HUTLH 92)
- "Lucky Man" – 4:57
- "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:31
12" (HUTT 92)
- "Lucky Man" – 4:57
- "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:31
- "MSG" – 7:00
- "Longest Day" – 7:21
Promo CD (HUTCDP 92)
- "Lucky Man" – 4:57
US version
In 1998 "Lucky Man" was released in America. The single was distributed by Virgin Records
Promo CD (DPRO-12794)
- "Lucky Man" (radio edit) – 4:20
- "Lucky Man" (album version) – 4:53
- "Lucky Man" (Call Out Research Hook 1) – 0:10
- "Lucky Man" (Call Out Research Hook 2) – 0:13
- "Lucky Man" (Call Out Research Hook 3) – 0:10
Australian version
CD (8947522)
- "Lucky Man" – 4:57
- "MSG" – 7:00
- "Longest Day" – 7:21
- "Lucky Man (Happiness More or Less)" – 4:57
French version
CD (8947612)
- "Lucky Man" – 4:53
- "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:30
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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References
- Lapatine, Scott. "Songs U2 Wish They Wrote". Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- "The Song They Wished They'd Written". U2. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart - Week Ending 30 Aug 1998". ARIA. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- "Ultratop.be – The Verve – Lucky Man" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3592." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3620." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 50. 13 December 1997. p. 17. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- "The Verve: Lucky Man" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Lescharts.com – The Verve – Lucky Man" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – The Verve – Lucky Man". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (22.1 – 29.1. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 23 January 1998. p. 22. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Lucky Man". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Charts.nz – The Verve – Lucky Man". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Notowanie nr841" (in Polish). LP3. 13 March 1998. Retrieved 16 February 2019. Cite magazine requires
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(help) - "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "The Verve Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "The Verve Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40-1997" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
- "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63 no. 12. 14 December 1998. p. 20. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- "British single certifications – Verve – Lucky Man". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 November 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Lucky Man in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.