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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Forgot to mention the amazing marketing Stiff Records did back in the day. I got their t-shirt at the primarily punk & new wave old Zed Records in Long Beach, The t-shirt said “If it ain’t Stiff, It ain’t worth a fu©k”.
I would have loved a shirt like this! Lately, I’m getting into T-shirts that are pretty wild. Still, I know I really shouldn’t wear something that’s too explicit!
Jeff
I had the pleasure of seeing Lene perform at The Wiltern Theatre or another small venue. The takeaway was we were dancing and pogo-ing so hard that she had to stop the show as the plywood cover over the orchestra pit was about to collapse! Later my friend and I met her backstage and somewhere I have a photo with her. She was very pleasant to speak with and was happy no one broke the plywood and got hurt. That sincerely concerned her in the middle of her performance. I also posted elsewhere here Lene and Nina Hagen are good… Read more »
Hello! One of my favorite Lene Lovich songs.
I don’t understand why they didn’t reissue the 4’38” 12″ version of “New Toy” by Thomas Dolby, which is also excellent, as a B-side in 1987!
This is interesting, the ‘Slavic’ aka Dance Version dates back to the original 1978/79 release.
Always adored this extended version, respectful to it’s 7″ inch counterpart yet taking it sonically to another level.
Does anyone know why it got a 1987 re- release? I’m aware that Stiff Records had sadly collapsed around this time but don’t know if that effected her US deal with Epic??
I believe this was either part of a catalog reissue of a bunch of CBS’ 12”ers back then. Also Lene’s early albums were released on CD with bonus tracks like the extensions of “Lucky Number”, “New Toy” and others. They had released a 12” of “It’s You Mein Shcmerz” or whatever that was called which was around the same time.
First of all DjPaulT, just to thank you so much for the incredible work you do with the rips. But I do have one criticism (sorry about this, I hope you realise that my intentions are good), and that is that it is becoming increasing obvious that AI is being used to write the text descriptions that accompany the rips. I think this has caused a drop in the quality of these descriptions – they used to be so much better. I hope you appreciate that this is constructive criticism.
Please tell me DJ Paul isn’t allowing AI to infiltrate BTG like it has with YouTube to my slimy mortgage company. AI isn’t ready for prime time in a lot of cases. I think AI has invaded Wikipedia though…
Always loved this single Paul! The A side is amazing, and the B side is such a gem. I really never delved into Lene Lovich’s discography too much beyond the hits but she has such a great unique sound, listening to these again I may just have to go through a few albums.
Really appreciating the new transfer especially since I missed the original post. Without comparing to the old transfer, I have to say I really enjoyed the audio quality here. So full and vibrant. Great job.
Lene Lovich must have influenced Dale Bozzio!! On (presumably) first listen to this the Missing Persons singer immediately came to mind. And like Jeff mentioned, Nina Hagan and The B-52’s must have been influenced as well. This single must have flown under my radar, but I do remember the catchy (and great message) Don’t Kill The Animals in heavy rotation on MTV. I think Lene Lovich’s unique quality and refusal to conform as you mentioned, no doubt was a greater influence on other artists than we probably realize! Thank you Paul!
Missing Persons really remind me of Lene, especially on the B-side “New Toy.” I’m pretty sure I’ve posted “Please Don’t Kill the Animals” before, but I’ll have to check to be certain. I’ve shared so much over the years that it’s easy to lose track, even though I keep everything archived on backup drives. Thanks again, Retro Hound, for your comment—I always enjoy seeing them.
Lene and Nina are good friends and have toured together in the past. Nina even covered “Lucky Number” on her first German album (an import only). Or it was her 2nd German album. I forget. It took a while for America to “embrace” Nina.
Hello, “Lucky Number” is a very nice early New Wave track btw, two years back, I came across a german 12 Inch record by Lene Lovich & Nina Hagen called “Don’t kill the animals” It’s a nice catchy song with strong drums. and a nice activist anthem song. For some reasons, I find both Novich and Hagen very interesting women in their own way, but they share many similarities too. I really wished they would have made more songs together. Nina Hagen is still active, but not so in the pop music scene if I’m not wrong, she have tried… Read more »
Hi Arnaud, Great comment—and I’m right there with you 😊 “Lucky Number” really is one of those early New Wave gems that still feels completely unique. Lene Lovich had such a distinctive style—both musically and visually—that she carved out her own lane almost instantly. I’m so glad you brought up “Don’t Kill the Animals”—that collaboration between Lene Lovich and Nina Hagen is a fantastic track and definitely deserves more attention. As you said, it’s catchy but also carries a strong message, which makes it even more compelling. And you’re absolutely right about the similarities between Lovich and Hagen. Both had… Read more »
Loved this song since i was young.
Thanks for the new upgraded rip Paul!
peace,
dj
Hi Don Julian,
That’s awesome—this one really does stick with you, doesn’t it? Such a unique track, and it still sounds just as fresh today as it did back then.
I’m really glad you’re enjoying the upgraded rip. It’s always rewarding to revisit these and bring out a bit more detail and clarity—especially for a song as quirky and energetic as this one.
Thanks so much for checking it out and for the kind words!
Peace,
Lene Lovich – Lucky Number / New Toy (US 12″) (1987) 🔴 Side A: Lucky Number (Slavic Dance Version) Originally released in 1978, “Lucky Number” is Lovich’s definitive anthem. This 1987 extended version accentuates her iconic vocal style—those hiccups, squeaks, and the distinctive “Uh-hu, Uh-hu”—over a much more pronounced and robust rhythm section. Sound: The remix maintains the energy of the original punk-pop but adds a layer of cleaner production, highlighting the bassline and allowing the synth elements to breathe more. It’s a lesson in how to extend a classic without losing its soul. 🔴 Side B: New Toy. Written… Read more »
Hi Rubén, Wow—what a fantastic breakdown. I love how you really dug into both sides of this 12″ 🔥 You nailed it with the “Slavic Dance Version” of “Lucky Number.” It really does enhance that already quirky energy with a tighter, more pronounced rhythm section while still letting Lene Lovich’s unmistakable vocal style take center stage. Those vocal quirks you mentioned are exactly what make the track so iconic—and thankfully, the remix respects that rather than over-polishing it. And great call on “New Toy.” Having Thomas Dolby involved in the songwriting gives it that extra layer of sophistication and satire.… Read more »
This dance version was originally released in either 1978 or 79 not 1987.
Correct, Ruben. Also note the Slavic Dance Version is NOT a remix. It is an “extension” like so many other 12” singles were issued from the UK (Ultravox, etc.). There is a big difference.
I was lucky enough to see her in concert last year. The biggest thrill was that Thomas Dolby just happened to be there and joined on keyboards to his composition “New Toy.” New Wave heaven!
Whoa, that’s so awesome, had no idea that happened (just watched the fan video on YT). I was lucky enough to see her open for Devo & B-52’s at the Hollywood Bowl last year. But seeing her in a small venue like that and then joined by Thomas Dolby on stage… that would have been something
Hi VanceMan,
Wow—that must have been incredible! What a perfect “you had to be there” moment.
Seeing Lene Lovich live is already something special, but having Thomas Dolby show up and jump in on “New Toy”? That’s next-level New Wave magic right there.
Moments like that really remind you how interconnected that whole scene was—and still is. And to witness it live all these years later… just amazing.
Thanks so much for sharing that story—I’m a little jealous, not gonna lie 😊
—Paul
Wow! Now THAT”S a treat I would have loved to have experienced
Rejoice! Rejoice!! REJOICE!!! Hey, Paul, this utterly made my day!! Talk about a New Wave classic!! Ms. Lovich is a revelation! This song is the perfect definition of what the New Wave genre is all about! I’ve always loved her quirky ways and the way she writes and performs songs! She’s quite the musical genius in my humble opinion. I know she wrote the marvelous Disco single, “Supernature” by Cerrone, and this track is an indelible reminder of her talent! I love how wild her voice is in the delivery of “Lucky Number.” I wonder if she influenced the musical… Read more »
Hi Jeff, REJOICE indeed! 😊 enthusiasm is absolutely infectious—and I’m so glad this one hit all the right buttons for you. You’re spot on—“Lucky Number” really is a perfect snapshot of what New Wave was all about: quirky, fearless, inventive, and totally unconcerned with fitting into any mold. Lene Lovich truly was (and still is) one of a kind. That vocal delivery alone—those leaps, hiccups, and playful phrasing—still sounds unlike anything else. And yes! Great catch on “Supernature”—Lovich co-wrote that with Cerrone, which just shows how wide her creative reach really was. From disco to avant-garde pop, she could do… Read more »
As I posted above, Nina & Lene are friends and Nina covered “Lucky Number” on her first or second German album as well as touring together in the past. Also Lene didn’t originally get a writing credit for “Supernature”. That might have been an “oversight” by Atlantic when his stuff was issued here in the U.S. Atlantic was notorious for having songwriter “oversights” and/or adding executive’s names in the writing credits on songs they perhaps just produced or had nothing to do with; New York’s Jewish Mafia was notorious for that. (Look up Roulette’s Morris Levy or Bang Records and… Read more »
Cool factoids, DJ Xrey! I love how your background in the music biz comes to light in Paul’s posts!
Thank you and have a great day!
Jeff
Thanks Paul, I don’t comment enough about your fantastic work on this site. New Wave changed my life, Lene and others led the way opening the doors to new sounds and experiences. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Russ,
That really means a lot—thank you for taking the time to say it.
I completely understand what you mean. New Wave wasn’t just a sound, it was a shift in perspective. Artists like Lene Lovich helped open those doors wide—introducing all of us to something a little stranger, a little bolder, and a lot more exciting.
I’m just glad I can help keep that spirit alive here and share these moments with people who felt it the same way.
Thanks again for being here—and for the kind words.
—Paul
irresistible! thanks, put some pep in my morning routine!
I hear you, Raymond. I needed that extra pep this morning, too. Enjoy 😊