Wikipedia

Lucky Love

"Lucky Love" is a 1995 song recorded by Swedish group Ace of Base. It is taken from their second album, The Bridge (1995). The song became their fifth worldwide single, and was the first single from the album to be released in Europe; the acoustic version of the song was the second single in the United States and Canada. "Lucky Love" also became the group's first number-one hit in Sweden and it also peaked at number-one in Finland. The single peaked within the top 10 in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Hungary, Israel, Spain, and Zimbabwe. The song's lyrics describe the feeling of being a teenager in love and never forgetting that feeling.

"Lucky Love"
Standard European artwork (Scandinavian CD single pictured)
Single by Ace of Base
from the album The Bridge
Released2 October 1995
Genre
Length2:52
LabelMega
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ace of Base singles chronology
"Living in Danger"
(1994) 		"Lucky Love"
(1995) 		"Beautiful Life"
(1995)
Music video
"Lucky Love" on YouTube
"Lucky Love" (acoustic version) on YouTube

The song was performed for the first time on 4 August 1995 during the 1995 World Championships in Athletics opening ceremony in Gothenburg.[1][2] It received its radio premiere on 25 September, ahead of its commercial release on 2 October.

Chart performance

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"Lucky Love" was very successful on the charts on several continents, becoming one of the group's biggest hits to date. In Europe, it reached number-one in Finland and Sweden, and peaked within the top 10 also in Belgium, Denmark (number two), France, Hungary (number four) and Spain, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where the single made it to number six. Additionally, "Lucky Love" was a top 20 hit in Austria, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. In the latter, it peaked at number 20 in its first week at the UK Singles Chart on November 5, 1995.[3] It stayed at that position for two weeks. Outside Europe, the single peaked at number six in Canada, number nine in Zimbabwe, number 12 in New Zealand, number 29 on the US Cash Box Top 100, number 30 in Australia and on the US Billboard Hot 100. On the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, "Lucky Love" hit number-one on March 23, 1996.

Critical reception

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AllMusic editor Bryan Buss viewed "Lucky Love" as a "pretty" song.[4] Larry Flick from Billboard constated that "this is the single that the act's diehard fans have been screaming for", adding that it is "far more substantial and satisfying" than "Beautiful Life", and "rides a brainseeping chorus that you will be singing to yourself whether you want to or not."[5] Steve Baltin from Cash Box wrote that songs like "Lucky Love" "work because the band downplays the dance sound, displaying some nice understated pop hooks."[6] James Masterton for Dotmusic felt it "doesn't mark much of a progression from their earlier work, which is either a sign of stagnancy or a pretty shrewd move, depending on your point of view."[7] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented, "Proving their particular style of music comes in all shapes and colors, Jenny, Linn, Buddha, and Joker roll into '96 with a song that people like B96-Chicago MD Erik Bradley were testifying about long before the end of last year. "Lucky Love" was released as their first single in the U.K., where it became an instant smash—a fact that should come as no big surprise to anyone who's heard the song. More than a few programmers predict Number One, and you'll get no argument here."[8]

Ross Jones from The Guardian complimented it as "quite a pretty tune".[9] Robbie Daw from Idolator described it as "bouncy".[10] Jean Rosenbluth from Los Angeles Times deemed it "eminently hummable".[11] Brian A. Gnatt from The Michigan Daily picked it as "the best track" from the album, "with its incredibly warm feel and catchy chorus." He added that it "tackles new ground for the band and captures it easily."[12] Pan-European magazine Music & Media noted that "all the hits from the Happy Nation CD are a hard act to follow, but the Swedish quartet succeeds here hands down. Are they maybe on a special frequency allowing them to download top melodies?"[13] Chuck Campbell from Scripps Howard News Service called it "merely competent."[14]

Music video

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Two music videos were produced for the song. One for the European market and another for the US market. The first version was later published on Ace of Base's official YouTube in January 2015. The video has amassed more than 8.5 million views as of August 2022.[15]

European version

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The first, released in Europe, directed by Rocky Schenck and featuring the original version of the song, focuses on a middle-aged woman reuniting with the boyfriend she had as a teenager. The band is seen around the actors in the video and also through footage shot by the band themselves using a handheld video camera. The video was shot in Gothenburg in August 1995.[16] An alternate edit of this version featuring the acoustic version of the song was featured on the 2008 Greatest Hits DVD.

US version (acoustic version)

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The second video, released in North America and featuring the acoustic version of the song, focuses on several young couples interacting in various scenarios with shots of the band cut in. A shot of the video for "Beautiful Life" can be seen on a television screen in this version. This version was filmed on 29 and 30 January 1996 at Hampton Court House.[16]

Track listings

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  • CD single, Australia
  1. "Lucky Love" – 2:52
  2. "Lucky Love" (acoustic version) – 2:52
  3. "Lucky Love" (extended original version) – 4:49
  • CD single, US
  1. "Lucky Love" (acoustic version) – 2:52
  2. "Lucky Love" (Frankie Knuckles Edit) – 3:41
  • CD maxi, UK
  1. "Lucky Love" – 2:52
  2. "Lucky Love" (acoustic version) – 2:52
  3. "Lucky Love" (Raggasol Version) – 2:53
  4. "Lucky Love" (Amadin Mix) – 5:39
  5. "Lucky Love" (Armand's British Nites Mix) – 11:21
  • CD maxi, US
  1. "Lucky Love" (Frankie Knuckles Classic Club Mix) – 7:22
  2. "Lucky Love" (Vission Lorimer Funkdified Mix) – 6:02
  3. "Lucky Love" (Amadin Mix) – 5:39
  4. "Lucky Love" (Lenny B's Club Mix) – 7:08
  5. "Lucky Love" (Armand's British Nites Mix) – 11:21
  6. "Lucky Love" (acoustic version) – 2:52

Personnel

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  • Vocals by Linn Berggren, Jenny Berggren
  • Backing Vocals by Jeanette Söderholm
  • Guitar by Chuck Anthony and Jonas Berggren
  • Fretless Bass by Per Ahlström
  • Music by Jonas Berggren
  • Lyrics by Jonas Berggren and Billy Steinberg
  • Produced by Denniz Pop, Max Martin and Jonas Berggren
  • Recorded and produced at Cheiron Studios

Charts

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Release history

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Region Date Label Ref.
Europe 2 October 1995 Mega, PolyGram
United Kingdom 30 October 1995 London [57]
United States 6 February 1996 Arista [58]
Japan 23 March 1996
  • Arista
  • BMG
 [59]

References

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  1. ^ Martin Nyström (5 August 1995). "Nu vet alla att Sverige är gjort av schottis" (in Swedish). Dagens nyheter. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Svenska seder på VM-invigningen" (in Swedish). Dagens nyheter. 5 August 1995. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 05 November 1995 - 11 November 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  4. ^ Buss, Bryan. "Ace of Base - Greatest Hits [Arista]". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  5. ^ Flick, Larry (17 February 1996). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  6. ^ Baltin, Steve (23 December 1995). "Pop Albums" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 9. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  7. ^ Masterton, James (5 November 1995). "Week Ending November 11th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  8. ^ Sholin, Dave (2 February 1996). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 2090. p. 62. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  9. ^ Jones, Ross (11 November 1995). "Music > Rock & Pop > Reviews – Singles". p. 33. The Guardian.
  10. ^ Daw, Robbie (18 December 2009). "Ace of Base 'The Bridge': Backtracking". Idolator. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  11. ^ Rosenbluth, Jean (18 November 1995). "Album Reviews : * Ace of Base, "The Bridge," Arista". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  12. ^ Gnatt, Brian A. (17 January 1996). "Records: Ace of Base - The Bridge". The Michigan Daily. p. 8. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  13. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 16 September 1995. p. 10. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  14. ^ Campbell, Chuck (28 November 1995). "New Releases: Ace Of Base, The Amps, Ozzy Osbourne". Scripps Howard News Service.
  15. ^ "Ace of Base - Lucky Love (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  17. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  18. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  19. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  20. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2956." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  21. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2951." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  22. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 9634." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  23. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 43. 28 October 1995. p. 27. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  24. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 46. 18 November 1995. p. 27. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  25. ^ "Week 48 / 95 Border Breakers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 48. 2 December 1995. p. 22. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  26. ^ "Ace of Base: Lucky Love" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  27. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  28. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  29. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 46. 18 November 1995. p. 29. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  30. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (18.11.1995 – 24.11.1995)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 18 November 1995. p. 50. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  31. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Ace Of Base".
  32. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Ace of Base" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  33. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  34. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  35. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love". VG-lista. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  36. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  37. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  38. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  39. ^ "Ace of Base – Lucky Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  40. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  41. ^ "Ace of Base Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  42. ^ "Ace of Base Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  43. ^ "Ace of Base Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  44. ^ "Ace of Base Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  45. ^ "Ace of Base Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  46. ^ "Ace of Base Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  47. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LIX, no. 31. 13 April 1996. p. 6. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  48. ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  49. ^ "Rapports annuels 1995" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  50. ^ "1995 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 51/52. 23 December 1995. p. 14. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  51. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1995" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  52. ^ "Jaarlijsten 1995" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  53. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1995" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  54. ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved 31 May 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  55. ^ "RPM Year End Dance Top 50". RPM. Retrieved 31 May 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  56. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 28 October 1995. p. 43. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  57. ^ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1131. 1 February 1996. p. 34. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  58. ^ "ラッキー・ラブ | エイス・オブ・ベイス" [Lucky Love | Ace of Base] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
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