Burning The Ground Exclusive
Some songs define a moment—and then some songs feel like they arrived from an entirely different planet. “Lucky Number” by Lene Lovich is very much the latter.
Released in 1979 on the legendary Stiff Records, “Lucky Number” was Lovich’s breakthrough single and an early beacon of what would soon be labeled new wave. At a time when punk was beginning to splinter into more experimental forms, Lovich burst through with something theatrical, eccentric, and irresistibly catchy.
From the very first seconds, “Lucky Number” grabs hold with its hypnotic riff and off-kilter rhythm. But it’s Lovich’s voice—elastic, playful, and utterly unpredictable—that makes the track unforgettable. She yelps, coos, and leaps across octaves with a sense of controlled chaos, turning the song into a performance as much as a piece of music.
Co-written with Les Chappell, the track strikes a balance between its quirky sensibilities and a strong pop foundation. Beneath the art-school oddities lies a tight structure and undeniable hook—one that helped propel the single to No. 3 on the UK charts and introduced Lovich to a wider international audience.
What made “Lucky Number” so striking in 1979—and still today—is its refusal to conform. Lovich, with her wide-eyed stare and distinctive fashion (often described as a blend of cabaret and surrealist dream), stood apart from her contemporaries. While many artists were chasing either punk aggression or disco polish, she carved out a space that felt uniquely her own.
The song also became a staple of early music television, its quirky video perfectly matching Lovich’s persona. Long before MTV would dominate the landscape, artists like Lovich were already exploring how visual identity could amplify their sound.
For fans of 12-inch culture and extended mixes, “Lucky Number” is an interesting case. While it didn’t receive the same club-focused remix treatment that would dominate the early-to-mid ’80s, its punchy, concise arrangement is part of its charm. Every second feels intentional—there’s no excess, just pure, kinetic energy.
🔊 Special Note About This 12″ Release
This particular 12″ is the 1987 US reissue and features the “Slavic Dance Version” of “Lucky Number”—though interestingly, this mix is not indicated anywhere on the sleeve or label.
Even more exciting, this post features a brand new 2026 audio restoration and transfer, bringing fresh life and clarity to this unique version.
Longtime readers may remember that I originally posted this 12″ back on May 12, 2012—making this updated version a welcome revisit and upgrade for collectors and fans alike.
More than four decades later, “Lucky Number” still sounds fresh, strange, and exhilarating. It’s a reminder of a time when pop music was fearless, when individuality wasn’t just encouraged—it was the entire point.
For those digging through the roots of new wave, or simply looking for something delightfully different, “Lucky Number” remains exactly what its title promises: a rare and wonderful find.
SIDE A:
Lucky Number (Slavic Dance Version) 4:36
Written-By – Lovich, Chappell
SIDE B:
New Toy 3:20
Written-By – Dolby*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: CBS Special Products – P 20135
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Art Direction – Michael Evanston
NOTES:
Manufactured by CBS Records/CBS Inc.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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