Lene Lovich Songs Ranked
One of the more offbeat and memorable figures in new wave, Lene Lovich certainly drew much of her widely varied approach from her unconventional early experiences. Born of a Yugoslavian father and British mother, she spent much of her childhood in Detroit, MI. At age 13, she moved to Hull, England, with her mother. She ran away to London shortly thereafter, where she worked several odd jobs ranging from bingo caller to go-go dancer to street busker. Around this time, she developed an interest in art and theater, enrolling at the Central School of Art. She took up the saxophone and, after a brief stint in a soul-funk band (with future collaborator Les Chappell), Lovich wrote a string of songs for French disco star Cerrone. In 1978, Stiff Records signed her after hearing her first recording, a remake of “I Think We’re Alone Now.” She quickly became one of Stiff’s brightest stars, headlining package tours and earning several U.K. hits over the next three years with the unforgettable “Lucky Number,” “Say When,” “Bird Song,” and “New Toy.” Unfortunately, her theatrical quirkiness didn’t translate well into LP length, and as new wave dissolved, she disappeared from the music scene. After an eight-year absence, she returned in 1990 with March. It failed to ignite any further interest and she again went into retirement. Here are all of Lene Lovich songs ranked.
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10. Supernature (Animal Liberation, 1987)
“This interesting CD features excellent songs from Howard Jones, Captain Sensible, Lene Lovich and many others. The music and vocals are great and the cause, saving animals from abuse, is priceless.”
9. Home (Stateless, 1978)
“As dated as it could be, but so damn well done that that can be forgiven. During a time when the punk aesthetic was thumbing its nose at anyone displaying any technical abilities (a thankfully short-lived attitude), Lovich was an extraordinary talent who belted and warbled her way through catchy as hell tunes.”
8. I Think We’re Alone Now (Stateless, 1978)
“An amusing romp into some operatic dramatic music. Lene’s voice is capable of anything, seriously…it’s pretty nifty although it’s a little bit thicker than I generally prefer, but when she’s being kinda cutesy she’s at her best.”
7. Blue Hotel (No Man’s Land, 1982)
“When I first heard Lene, I didn’t like her because I thought she was too weird. I have now changed my mind. The woman is excellent! She reminds me vocally of Siouxsie.”
6. What Will I Do Without You (Flex, 1980)
“Classic” is a word that is used way too often and it has been way commercialized but “Flex” embodies the real meaning of “classic”: a work of art that never grows old, not because it keeps getting played all the time, but because you get something new from it every time you listen.”
5. It’s You, Only You (No Man’s Land, 1982)
“I love this Lene video because she isn’t dressed like a goth Raggedy Ann and she isn’t doing that “lunatic eyes open way too wide and looking downward” thing that destroyed Kate Bush videos. It must have killed Lene to have break normal character in this video.”
4. Angels (Flex, 1980)
“Damn this music is still relevant blows away everyone . Her lyrics grip you . Your hypnotized with her voice what a gift she is so thankful I was born in the years to appreciate her .”
3. Say When (Stateless, 1978)
“This turned out to be a true pearl. Very much New Wave, with a rather artistic take on it. While it kind of gets a bit Devo’ish at times in all it’s playfulness, it’s still also one of the most artistic new wave albums I’ve heard.”
2. Bird Song (Flex, 1980)
“One of the most hauntingly cool songs of the whole new wave era – it still gives me goose bumps – she was one of a kind! I love this so much. It’s just so strange and odd in a stunning way. I love those bird sounds. And I love birds. This bird song is mystical and hypnotizing”
1. Lucky Number (Stateless, 1978)
“Lene Lovich’s voice is deep and smoky, quite operatic in some ways but not the cheesy and pretentious thang some had on those greedy new-wave times. And “Lucky Number” was a hell of a song then (check those dissonant drums on the beginning of the song – great!)!”