Released 2000 Genre Indie pop
indie rock | Format CD single Length 3:57 | |
B-side "Blame It on Yourself"
"Digging Your Scene" Recorded 1999–2000; Stratosphere Sound
(New York City, New York)
Sony Music Studios
(New York City, New York) | ||
"Lucy Doesn't Love You" is a song recorded by American indie rock band Ivy. It was released as the lead single from their third studio album, Long Distance (2000). It was issued exclusively in Japan in mid-2000 by EastWest Japan, whereas the US lead singles were "Disappointed" and '"Edge of the Ocean", both released a year later by Unfiltered Records. The track was written by Dominique Durand, Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase, while production was handled by the latter two.
Contents
- Background and recording
- Composition and release
- Critical reception
- Music video and promotion
- Credits and personnel
- References
The single received positive reviews from music critics, who noted its simplistic sound and production. Similar to Ivy's previous material, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" is an indie pop and indie rock song. It had a strong commercial performance in Japan, but was unsuccessful elsewhere. A promotional music video was filmed for the song in 2000 and displayed Durand singing at a nightclub with several background dancers.
Background and recording
After being dropped from Epic Records shortly after the reissued edition of Apartment Life (1997), Ivy began recording new material for their upcoming studio album. However, the recording process halted after a fire closed down the New York City studio where they regularly recorded. While writing songs for Long Distance, Andy Chase stated that they tried writing "more commercial" material for the album, in hopes that it would "mean the difference between making our next album or not".
Shortly after the studio fire, Schlesinger and Chase discussed trying out new genres for the album, incorporating influences from different types of music. Schlesinger stated: "The first songs [we] recorded were jangly and simple and straight-ahead. We started gravitating toward the groovier, slightly more melancholy stuff. It works well with Dominique's voice". However, while tracks like "Edge of the Ocean" experimented with new music like trip hop, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" reflected Ivy's previous material.
Composition and release
Musically, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" is an indie pop/indie rock song with a "sassy brass and lifting melody". An electric guitar was also used during production to create an "atmospheric" mood. A reviewer from CMJ New Music Monthly found "the addition of horns a comfortable bounce" in the track. A CD single of "Lucy Doesn't Love You" was released exclusively in Japan in mid-2000 and included the B-side "Blame It on Yourself". A promotional CD was also issued, using the same format as the CD single, but including the bonus track "Digging Your Scene".
Critical reception
After its release, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" received favorable reviews from music critics. A critic from E! Online declared the track a "summer anthem" and predicted that the release would increase Ivy's popularity. Michael Padletta, writing for Billboard, praised the "effervescent" track for "effortlessly manag[ing] to merge guitar leanings for a more rhythmic palette". In a more mixed review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated that the production "suggest[s] a more satisfying song than it delivers".
Music video and promotion
A music video for the single was filmed and released in 2000. Filmed inside a nightclub, the video begins with Durand entering the stage while simultaneous images of the band using instruments appear. Durand then stands in front of a microphone, preparing for an upcoming verse. Various shots of an audience, background dancers and singers, and trumpet performers are also shown. After the second chorus, the clip focuses on Durand, who is now mouthing some of the words of the song; the final chorus resumes the simultaneous images setup.
To further promote the song, "Lucy Doesn't Love You" was featured in the movie I'm With Lucy. Another song from Long Distance, "One More Last Kiss", was also featured in the same film.
Credits and personnel
Credits and personnel adapted from Long Distance liner notes and Andy Chase's discography.