Thursday 14 September 2023

Lucky

Trust Me #60
Lucky by Radiohead

Lucky is an incredibly important song in Radiohead's extensive back catalogue. Originally released in 1995 on the Help album for War Child, Lucky clearly stood out. It was, and is, utterly majestic.

Radiohead left their mark on 1995, releasing The Bends in March, while a string of singles from the album stretched from My Iron Lung in September 1994 through to Street Spirit (Fade Out) in January 1996. 

The band were in exceptional form, their development from debut Pablo Honey in 1993 was staggering and there was a lot more to come. 1995 was peak Britpop with landmark albums by Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Elastica, Black Grape and Supergrass. Radiohead were in a class of their own and they quickly cemented that with 1997's OK Computer album.

The concept for the Help album was simple and based around John Lennon's idea for his Instant Karma single; record one day, mix the following, release the next. Many bands opted for re-recordings or cover versions, which (sheer quality aside) is another reason why Lucky stood out a mile.

Help artwork by John Squire

Lucky is like a bridge between The Bends and OK Computer, the sound of a band believing that anything was possible. And even if it felt impossible, they'd give it a go anyway.

Thom Yorke begins quietly, but his voice threatens to explode any time ... and when it does ... it soars heavenly, but with gut wrenching emotion. Watching the video of children affected by war with Yorke singing it's gonna be a glorious day, I feel my luck could change is incredibly moving.

Just listen to the final minute of the song as the band really do soar heavenwards, Greenwood's guitar is beautifully piercing, it sounds like there is an orchestra somewhere in the background ending with Yorke singing when you're standing on the edge.

Radiohead recorded the song in just five hours with Nigel Godrich on production duties. Godrich had previously assisted John Leckie with his production of The Bends, the results on Lucky promoted him to the role of producer for OK Computer.

When asked about the Help Album session, Godrich said; "Those things are the most inspiring, when you do stuff really fast and there's nothing to lose. We left feeling fairly euphoric."

Yorke, speaking about the song and session, said; "Lucky shaped the nascent sound and mood of OK Computer. Lucky was indicative of what we wanted to do. It was like the first mark on the wall."

War Child UK 

Lucky - official video

Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series. For the playlist, search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify , or CLICK HERE

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond
3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck 
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

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