Lucy Doesn't Love You

"Lucy Doesn't Love You" is a song by American indie rock band Ivy. It was released as the lead single from their third studio album, Long Distance (2000). It was issued exclusively in Japan in mid-2000 by EastWest Japan, whereas the US lead singles were "Disappointed" and '"Edge of the Ocean", both released a year later by Unfiltered Records. The track was written by Dominique Durand, Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase, while production was handled by the latter two.

"Lucy Doesn't Love You"
Single by Ivy
from the album Long Distance
B-side	"Blame It on Yourself" "Digging Your Scene"
Released	2000
Recorded	1999–2000
Studio	Stratosphere Sound (New York City, New York) Sony Music (New York City, New York)
Genre	Indie pop indie rock
Length	3:57
Label	Unfiltered EastWest Japan
Songwriter(s)	Dominique Durand Adam Schlesinger Andy Chase
Producer(s)	Adam Schlesinger Andy Chase
Ivy singles chronology
"You Don't Know Anything" (1999) "Lucy Doesn't Love You" (2000) "Disappointed" (2001)
Alternative cover
Japan release

The single received positive reviews from music critics, who noted its simplistic sound and production. Similar to Ivy's previous material, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" is an indie pop and indie rock song. The song was only commercially released in Japan. A promotional music video was filmed for the song in 2000 and displayed Durand singing at a nightclub with several background dancers.

Background and recording

After being dropped from Epic Records shortly after the reissued edition of Apartment Life (1997), Ivy began recording new material for their upcoming studio album.[1] However, the recording process halted after a fire closed down the New York City studio where they regularly recorded. While writing songs for Long Distance, Andy Chase stated that they tried writing "more commercial" material for the album, in hopes that it would "mean the difference between making our next album or not".[2]

Shortly after the studio fire, Schlesinger and Chase discussed trying out new genres for the album, incorporating influences from different types of music. Schlesinger stated: "The first songs [we] recorded were jangly and simple and straight-ahead. We started gravitating toward the groovier, slightly more melancholy stuff. It works well with Dominique's voice".[3] However, while tracks like "Edge of the Ocean" experimented with new music like trip hop, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" reflected Ivy's previous material.[1]

Composition and release

Musically, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" is an indie pop/indie rock song with a "sassy brass and lifting melody".[4] An electric guitar was also used during production to create an "atmospheric" mood.[1] A reviewer from CMJ New Music Monthly found "the addition of horns a comfortable bounce" in the track.[5] A CD single of "Lucy Doesn't Love You" was released exclusively in Japan in mid-2000 and included the B-side "Blame It on Yourself".[6] A promotional CD was also issued, using the same format as the CD single, but including the bonus track "Digging Your Scene".[7]

Critical reception

After its release, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" received favorable reviews from music critics. A critic from E! Online declared the track a "summer anthem" and predicted that the release would increase Ivy's popularity.[8] Michael Padletta, writing for Billboard, praised the "effervescent" track for "effortlessly manag[ing] to merge guitar leanings for a more rhythmic palette".[1] In a more mixed review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated that the production "suggest[s] a more satisfying song than it delivers".[4]

Music video and promotion

The music video for "Lucy Doesn't Love You" premiered using side-by-side images of Dominique Durand and the other band members performing.

A music video for the single was filmed and released in 2000. Filmed inside a nightclub, the video begins with Durand entering the stage while simultaneous images of the band using instruments appear. Durand then stands in front of a microphone, preparing for an upcoming verse. Various shots of an audience, background dancers and singers, and trumpet performers are also shown. After the second chorus, the clip focuses on Durand, who is now mouthing some of the words of the song; the final chorus resumes the simultaneous images setup.[9]

To further promote the song, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" was featured in the movie I'm With Lucy.[10] Another song from Long Distance, "One More Last Kiss", was also featured in the same film.[10]

Track listings and formats

Japan CD single[6]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lucy Doesn't Love You"	4:00
2.	"Blame It on Yourself"	4:06

Japan CD promotional single[7]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lucy Doesn't Love You"	3:57
2.	"Blame It on Yourself"	4:06
3.	"Digging Your Scene"	3:40

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from Long Distance liner notes and Andy Chase's discography.[11][12] Recording

• Recorded at Stratosphere Sound, New York City and Sony Music Studios, New York City

Personnel

Andy Chase – engineering, executive producer, mixing Dominique Durand – lead and background vocals Philippe Garcia – photography John Holbrook – additional mixing

Vlado Meller – mastering Frank Olinsky – art direction, design Geoff Sanoff – assistant engineering Adam Schlesinger – engineering, executive producer, mixing

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Japan[6][7]	2000	CD single	Unfiltered
		CD promotional single	EastWest Japan

References

1. Padletta, Michael (July 21, 2001). "Reviews and Previews". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
2. "October 2002 Interview with Ivy". Spinzone. October 2002. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
3. Cohen, Jonathan (July 7, 2001). "Despite Calamities, Nettwerk's Ivy Gets Lift From Far Easy". Retrieved April 15, 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
4. Vladimir Bogdanov; Chris Woodstra; Stephen Thomas Erlewine (2002). All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 567. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
5. "CMJ New Music Monthly". CMJ. August 2001. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
6. "Ivy - Lucy Doesn't Love You". Discogs. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
7. "Ivy – Lucy Doesn't Love You". Discogs. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
8. "E! Review - Long Distance". E! Online. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
9. cozenimus (July 27, 2008). "Ivy – Lucy Doesn't Love You". YouTube. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
10. "I'm with Lucy (2002) Soundtrack". mooviees.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
11. Long Distance (Liner notes). Ivy (band). New York City, New York: Nettwerk. 2000.CS1 maint: others (link)
12. Chase, Andy. "Discography". Andy Chase. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
• "Lucy Doesn't Love You" (music video) on YouTube