Good Fortune (song)

Origin and recording

"Good Fortune" was recorded during the sessions for Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea throughout March and April 2000 at Linford Manor in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. The song was one nineteen songs PJ Harvey had written for the album, alongside the single's b-sides "Memphis" and "66 Promises." Although most of "Good Fortune" was recorded in-studio, parts of the song were recorded alone by Harvey on a 4-track cassette recorder in New York City and Dorset. The song was mixed by Victor Van Vugt at the Fallout Shelter in May 2000.

Composition

"Good Fortune" was written by Harvey and produced by Harvey, multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey, and former bandmate Rob Ellis. It is set in common time (4
4) and composed in the key of A minor. The verse follows a repetitive pattern of two chords (Am₇–G₆) and the final refrains of each verse repeat two chords (C–F₅). The chorus has a rising bass progression composed of four chords (Am₇–G₆/B–C–D) and the song ends on G₅.

The song's lyrics make allusions to New York, a theme shared with other songs on Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. She lived in New York prior to the recording of the album.

Release and reception

"Good Fortune" was released in the United Kingdom on 13 November 2000 on Island Records. It was the lead single from Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea and was pressed on CD and 7" vinyl. Each pressing contained alternate b-sides, including "66 Promises", "Memphis" and "30." An enhanced CD version was released in Australia featuring all b-sides, two music videos and an electronic press kit. Promotional CDs were released for radio airplay in the United States and Spain. The song charted on the French Singles Chart, peaking at number 100, and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 41.

Critical reception to "Good Fortune" was positive. A number of reviews drew comparisons between Harvey and fellow female musicians Chrissie Hynde and Patti Smith. Allmusic reviewer Heather Phares described "Good Fortune" as the song "on which Harvey channels both Chrissie Hynde's sexy tough girl and Patti Smith's ferocious yelp." NME's review drew a similar Patti Smith comparison, stating "Harvey's adopted her mentor's positivity, so that the urban vignettes are filled with a lust for life" and Pitchfork Media said "'Good Fortune' sustains a similar but even more banal pop sound, with Harvey distinctly recalling Chrissie Hynde, both musically and vocally."

Music video

The music video for "Good Fortune" was directed by Sophie Muller. The video features Harvey walking and running through the streets of London at night and ending with Harvey entering a coffee shop. The recording of the video was approximately six hours long with Harvey taking the same route each take but "changing what [she] was doing all of the time."

The video shoot faced a number of difficulties, most regarding the camera operator. The camera operator had to walk backwards while filming and his assistants had to guide him. The lighting crew had difficulty maintaining the correct lighting due to Harvey's improvised movement. Speaking of the experience, Harvey said: "the crew would have to consciously be aware all the time of where I was moving because they might have to duck to get out of the line of vision. It was hilarious because then I kind of cottoned on to if I would move in a certain position I'd be able to watch the whole fifteen-piece male crew hit the ground immediately. So, a couple of times I'd do it on purpose and bang! Flat down as quick as they could."

Personnel

All personnel credits adapted from the Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea's liner notes.