(Believed You Were) Lucky

"(Believed You Were) Lucky" is a song by American band 'Til Tuesday, which was released in 1988 as the lead single from their third and final studio album Everything's Different Now. The song was written by Aimee Mann (music, lyrics) and Jules Shear (music), and produced by Rhett Davies. "(Believed You Were) Lucky" peaked at No. 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[1]

"(Believed You Were) Lucky"
Single by 'Til Tuesday
from the album Everything's Different Now
B-side"Limits to Love"
Released1988
Length3:37
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Aimee Mann
Jules Shear
Producer(s)Rhett Davies
'Til Tuesday singles chronology
"Coming Up Close"
(1986)		 "(Believed You Were) Lucky"
(1988)		 "Rip in Heaven"
(1988)

The single version of the song, which is also used on the video, is different to the album version, replacing the final profane chorus with a non-profane version.[2]

Background

"(Believed You Were) Lucky" was one of a number of songs on Everything's Different Now which was inspired by Mann and Shear's failed relationship. Mann told Steve Morse of The Boston Globe in 1988, "It was a really amazing relationship. I thought it was very healthy to stay together, but Jules just couldn't make up his mind."[3]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Peter Wallach and produced by Michael Faerman and Wallach.[4] In a 2018 interview with Stereogum, Mann criticized the video for being "super dumb". She added, "It was supposed to look like the Twilight Zone opening. I think that was the concept."[5]

Critical reception

On its release, Billboard described the song as a "spirited pop number" which is "delivered with conviction" and "shouldn't be overlooked".[6] Cash Box listed the single as one of their "feature picks" during October 1988. They felt the song "fits into the quasi-sixties bag" and noted the "tight vocal harmonies".[7]

During February 1989, Music & Media selected the song as their "Single of the Week" and wrote, "This is well produced, atmospheric folk/rock complete with attractive, intriguing melodies supported by a semi-acoustic sound." They also noted Mann's "fanciful vocals" as being "one of the most attractive things about this band".[8] David Cavanagh of Sounds described it as "piping, tuneful stuff, but necessarily wistful" and "a twist on the dreaded Dear John scenario" as Mann "curtail[s] all amorous proceedings because her man lacks self-belief".[9]

In a retrospective review of Everything's Different Now, Alex Henderson of AllMusic picked the song as one of the album's "introspective and personal gems" which shows Mann "coming from the heart".[10]

Track listing
7" and cassette single
  1. "(Believed You Were) Lucky" - 3:37
  2. "Limits to Love" - 3:35
7" single (US promo)
  1. "(Believed You Were) Lucky" - 3:37
  2. "(Believed You Were) Lucky" - 3:37
12" and CD single (UK release)
  1. "(Believed You Were) Lucky" - 3:37
  2. "Limits to Love" - 3:35
  3. "Voices Carry" - 4:22
  4. "What About Love" - 4:01
CD single (US promo)
  1. "(Believed You Were) Lucky" - 3:37

Personnel

'Til Tuesday

Production

Charts
Chart (1988–89) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 95
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[12] 32
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[13] 30

References
  1. "'Til Tuesday - (Believed You Were) Lucky". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  2. "'Til Tuesday - (Believed You Were) Lucky (Clean Version)". YouTube. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  3. Morse, Steve (November 10, 1988). "Aimee Mann deals with lost love through new songs". The Boston Globe.
  4. "Music Video: New Videoclips". Billboard. November 19, 1988. p. 43.
  5. Bleggi, Doug (November 21, 2018). "Aimee Mann Interview on 25 Years of Going Solo". Stereogum. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  6. "Single Reviews". Billboard. December 3, 1988. p. 61.
  7. "Single Releases". Cash Box. October 29, 1988. p. 10.
  8. "Previews: Singles". Music & Media. February 4, 1989. p. 15.
  9. Cavanagh, David (28 January 1989). "Singles". Sounds. p. 43.
  10. Henderson, Alex. "Everything's Different Now - 'Til Tuesday | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  11. "'Til Tuesday Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  12. "'Til Tuesday Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  13. "'Til Tuesday Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
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