Ladykillers (song)

Music

"Ladykillers" was described as a Britpop track and "a punky shot of Blondie-esque new wave". Lacking the reverb-indebted sound of the band's previous material, the track opened with "attention-seizing circular melody and spunky vocals" from lead vocalist Miki Berenyi. Some critics, including AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine, claimed that it was influenced by "the direct, jagged pop of Elastica", but the band were annoyed by what Berenyi called "stupid Elastica comparisons".

Lyrics and critical receptions

Annie Zaleski of The A.V. Club regarded the song as one of the album's standouts, describing it as "a welcome antidote to Britpop’s masculine point of view". Zaleski further stated that the track is "a righteous feminist statement in which Lush reminds those with a Y chromosome that respecting women and treating them like smart, competent human beings is perhaps the best first step." Consequence of Sound critic Frank Mojica stated that Berenyi eviscerates "men with transparent agendas and dubious attitudes towards women everywhere with an infectiously sarcastic wit". He concluded: "It’s what would have been hyped as a girl power anthem had it been released a couple years later."

The track was featured on VH1's list of "Top 10 Britpop Tracks".

Music video

A music video for the song, directed by Mark Pellington, was released in 1996. It features the band performing the song, as well as footage of praying mantises decapitating one another.

Track listing

4AD CD Single (CD1)

1. "Ladykillers" – 3:14
2. "Matador" – 3:01
3. "Ex" – 3:14
4. "Dear Me (Miki's 8-track Home Demo)" – 3:06

4AD CD Single (CD2)

1. "Ladykillers" – 3:15
2. "Heavenly" – 2:53
3. "Carmen" – 3:19
4. "Plums And Oranges" – 6:19

4AD 7"

A1. "Ladykillers" – 3:14 A2. "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend" (The Rubinoos cover) – 3:19