| "Lucky Man" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single bythe Verve | ||||
| from the albumUrban Hymns | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 24 November 1997 (1997-11-24) | |||
| Studio | Olympic (London) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:53 | |||
| Label | Hut | |||
| Songwriter | Richard Ashcroft | |||
| Producers |
| |||
| The Verve singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Lucky Man" is a song by Englishrock bandthe Verve. It was written by singerRichard Ashcroft. The song was released as the thirdsingle from the band's third studio album,Urban Hymns. It was released on 24 November 1997, charting at number seven on theUK Singles Chart. The song was the band's second top-20 hit on theBillboardModern Rock Tracks chart in the United States, climbing to number 16. In Canada, "Lucky Man" peaked at number 25 on theRPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. It also reached the top 40 in Finland, Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand.
In an interview onBBC Radio 2, singer Richard Ashcroft said the song was "inspired by my relationship with my wife, and that sense of when you're beyond the sort of peacock dance that you have early on in a relationship. And you're getting down to the raw nature of yourselves."[2]
"Lucky Man" was released in the United Kingdom on 24 November 1997 across four formats: twoCD singles, a7-inch vinyl single, and acassette single.[3][4] An earlier single from the band, "History", is included as aB-side on CD1 of the UK release.[5] The final B-side on CD2, "Happiness More or Less", is a remix of the title track made by guitaristNick 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 CD2, "MSG", is an alternate version of "Bitter Sweet Symphony" that features the percussion and bass line from that song, with psychedelic soundscapes added.[6] On 2 March 1998, the same day that follow-up single "Sonnet" was released, a12-inch vinyl single of "Lucky Man" was also issued.[7] In the United States, the song was serviced toalternative radio on 7 April 1998.[8]
U2'sBono listed the song as one of six songs released between 1986 and 2006 that he wished he'd written.[9][10] A review inCherwell stated that while the track was "not as instantly classically catchy" asBitter Sweet Symphony, "it's likely to grow on you".[11]
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, directly opposite theHarrods Furniture Depository. This is situated nearHammersmith, westLondon 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 bySir Richard Rogers. The US version was shot inNew York City, featuring the band in an apartment and then travelling to a mountain top.
UK CD1 and cassette single(HUTDG 92, HUTC 92)[5][12]
UK CD2 and Australian CD single(HUTDX 92, HUTCDF92)[6][13]
| UK 12-inch single(HUTT92)[14]
Australian and New Zealand VHS single(724349050235)[15]
|
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[35] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 24 November 1997 |
| Hut | [3][4] |
| 2 March 1998 | 12-inch vinyl | [7] | ||
| United States | 7 April 1998 | Alternative radio |
| [8] |
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