"A Lucky Guy" by Rickie Lee Jones

Song#:  0765
Date:  10/03/1981
Debut:  84
Peak:  64
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Pop, Singer/Songwriter



Pop Bits:  Jones burst on the music scene in 1979 with her #3 self-titled debut album that featured the #4 hit "Chuck E.'s in Love." The effort won her the Grammy for Best New Artist with the song getting nods for both Record and Song of the Year. With a hefty spotlight now on her, Jones issued her sophomore effort "Pirates." Although it wasn't as big a seller as her debut, it still went gold and reached #5 on the album chart. This first single couldn't replicate the success of her previous hit and it would be the only song from the album to reach the pop chart. However, two other songs from the album did get onto the Mainstream Rock chart.

ReduxReview:  I remember discovering "Pirates" a couple years after it came out. I didn't think I cared that much for Jones since I didn't really get "Chuck E.'s in Love" at the time. But it was her third release, the 10" EP "Girl at Her Volcano" that I bought on a whim, that lead me back to "Pirates." I remember borrowing it from the local library. I was floored by it. It was beautiful, challenging, and so different from anything I had been listening to at the time. I was an instant fan. This album and her debut still remain two of my all-time favorite albums. "Pirates" didn't really have single material so this song may have been the best to give it a go. It's a great song, just not a good single. I wished they would have issued the upbeat "Woody and Dutch" first. It might have done a little better.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  A few songs from the album (like "A Lucky Guy") were inspired by the breakup of her relationship with musician Tom Waits. They met in 1977 and eventually lived together in L.A. After their breakup, Jones moved to New York City and commenced the writing and recording of "Pirates."

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