Lucky Man (The Verve song)

"Lucky Man"
Song
B-side	"Never Wanna See You Cry" "History" "MSG" "The Longest Day"

"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 #7 on the UK Singles Chart (see 1997 in British music). The song was also the band's second Top 20 hit on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States.

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.

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, featuring the band in an apartment and then travelling to a mountain top.

The Verve did not allow the video for this single to be played on the UK music show The Chart Show. The show had recently been re-designed and attracted much criticism; the band also criticized it, and refused to allow the song to be played unless the show was re-designed again just for the band, as the message claimed, and/or if the show played the video clean without any graphics overlaying it. The Chart Show didn't agree to this and in the Top Ten and Indie Chart, a message appeared explaining why the video wasn't shown. The show maintained a lighthearted approach to the situation by saying such things as "In the words of Vanilla... no way, no way, mah nà mah nà".

In popular culture

The song was used for a montage for the pre-game show of the Los Angeles Lakers' third playoff game of the 2010 season versus the Oklahoma City Thunder to show the many problems facing the team at the end of the season. The song was also used in the 2004 film The Girl Next Door, the 2008 film Marley and Me, and the television shows Entourage, Daria, and Journeyman.

U2 frontman Bono recognized "Lucky Man" as one of six songs that he wished he had written from the last 20 years of music.

A sample from the song is used in Josh Osho's 2011 single Redemption Days.

Track listings

• CD 1 HUTDG 92

1. "Lucky Man" – 4:57
2. "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:31
3. "History" – 5:08

• CD 2 HUTDX 92

1. "Lucky Man" – 4:57
2. "MSG" – 7:00
3. "The Longest Day" – 7:21
4. "Lucky Man (Happiness More or Less)" – 4:57

• Cassette HUTC 92

1. "Lucky Man" – 4:57
2. "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:31

• 7" HUTLH 92

1. "Lucky Man" – 4:57
2. "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:31

• 12" HUTT 92

1. "Lucky Man" – 4:57
2. "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:31
3. "MSG" – 7:00
4. "Longest Day" – 7:21

• Promo CD HUTCDP 92

1. "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

1. "Lucky Man" (radio edit) – 4:20
2. "Lucky Man" (album version) – 4:53
3. "Lucky Man" (Call Out Research Hook 1) – 0:10
4. "Lucky Man" (Call Out Research Hook 2) – 0:13
5. "Lucky Man" (Call Out Research Hook 3) – 0:10

Australian version

• CD 8947522

1. "Lucky Man" – 4:57
2. "MSG" – 7:00
3. "Longest Day" – 7:21
4. "Lucky Man (Happiness More or Less)" – 4:57

French version

• CD 8947612

1. "Lucky Man" – 4:53
2. "Never Wanna See You Cry" – 4:30

External links

• Template:MetroLyrics song