The group first gained fame six months after its formation when it won radio station WBCN's battle of the bands competition in 1983. Their original composition "Love In A Vacuum" (credited to all members of the group) received a fair amount of airplay on the station, and the group was eventually signed to Epic Records.
"Love In A Vacuum" was re-recorded for the Epic debut album, 1985's Voices Carry; however the breakthrough song turned out to be the title track. The "Voices Carry" single peaked at US #8, and is said to have been inspired by an argument between Mann and Hausman, who had broken off a relationship before the album's release.
The band became an early MTV staple with the "Voices Carry" video, which depicts an oppressive boyfriend trying to convert Mann to his upper-class lifestyle; she finally lashes out at him during a concert at Carnegie Hall, standing up from her seat in the audience and belting the lyrics, "He said, shut up! He said, shut up! Oh God, can't you keep it down?..." as she removes her cap to reveal her signature spiky, rat-tailed hair. As a result, the group won that year's MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist.
By the 1986 follow-up Welcome Home, Mann was beginning to write more of the songs herself and the band was moving away from the slick New Wave sound of their debut. But while critical reaction was generally strong, the number 26 placing for the lead single "What About Love" was a commercial disappointment, especially after the top 10 success of "Voices Carry". Even more problematic, the album just barely sneaked into the US top 50, also a letdown after the #19 placing for their first LP.
After the album's release Pesce left the band and was replaced by Michael Montes. Guitarists Jon Brion and Clayton Scoble also joined the group, although not as permanent members.
At about the same time, Mann's two-year relationship with singer-songwriter Jules Shear, whom she had been dating since the release of the Voices Carry album, came to an end. This breakup somewhat informed the band's final album, 1988's Everything's Different Now, particularly in the song "J for Jules," though Mann insisted that not every song on the LP was about the relationship. Shear collaborated with Matthew Sweet on the album's title track; it also featured "The Other End (of the Telescope)," a collaboration between Mann and Elvis Costello on which Costello provides a guest vocal.
Unfortunately, while critical praise continued to flow, Everything's Different Now was a commercial dud. The album peaked at a mere #124, while the lead single "(Believed You Were) Lucky" (co-written with Shear) crawled to #95.
'Til Tuesday essentially broke up after the release of Everything's Different Now in 1988. However, Mann toured under that name as a solo artist while legal problems with the band's label Epic prevented her from beginning work on a solo record for several years. Hausmann, meanwhile, became Mann's manager, a position he holds to this day.
Lucky
'Til Tuesday Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah I guess I will
What's the use in pushing
When it's all uphill
I can't be appointed
Keeper of the flame
Without two to carry
It seems obvious to me
But then again
Could be
You just never felt that way
[Chorus:]
I wish you believed in life
Believed in fate
Believed you were lucky
And worth the wait
'Cause life could be lovely
Life could be so great
It gets so embarrassing
So I acquiesce
And I'll change my mind again
You change your address - oh
It seems logical to me
But then again be
Could be I was simply not that smart
[Chorus]
There must be some other door that they are saving
Behind which my happiness lies
I won't be wasting my words
To tell you hopes that I had
We can just leave it alone for now
I wish you: Believe in life
Believe in fate
Believe you are lucky
And worth the wait
'Cause life could be lovely
Life could be fucking great.
The lyrics of 'Lucky' by 'Til Tuesday explore themes of hope, disappointment, and the challenges of maintaining a relationship that seems to be stuck in a rut. The song's narrator seems to be at a crossroads, questioning whether to continue pursuing a relationship with someone who doesn't share her enthusiasm or whether to give up and move on. The opening verse sets the tone for the song's mood of resignation and defeat, as the singer declares her intention to "give it up" and stop pushing forward. Despite her disappointment, she recognizes that the relationship can only work if both parties are equally invested and motivated.
The second verse continues the theme of disillusionment, as the singer laments her inability to "be appointed/Keeper of the flame." She recognizes that without mutual effort, the passion and interest that once existed between them will fade and die out. The chorus offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer expresses her desire for her partner to believe in their shared future and recognize the value of their relationship. However, the repetition of the phrase "could be" suggests a degree of uncertainty and skepticism about whether her partner will ever share her optimism.
In the final verse, the singer hints at the possibility of moving on, acknowledging that there may be other opportunities and doors to explore. She seems resigned to the fact that her partner may never fully appreciate her worth or invest in their future together.
Line by Line Meaning
So I guess I'll give it up
I am ready to give up and move on from this situation.
Yeah I guess I will
I have made the decision to let go and not fight anymore.
What's the use in pushing
There is no point in trying harder when it feels like an impossible climb.
When it's all uphill
The situation feels difficult and overwhelming, like trying to climb an uphill battle.
I can't be appointed
I cannot be solely responsible for keeping this relationship alive.
Keeper of the flame
To keep this relationship going, it takes effort from both parties.
Without two to carry
If both parties do not put in effort, it is impossible to keep the flame alive.
It won't burn the same - oh
If only one person is keeping the flame alive, the relationship will not be the same as if both were working towards it.
It seems obvious to me
From my perspective, this is a clear fact.
But then again
However, I understand that not everyone sees it this way.
Could be
It is possible that others do not understand the importance of both parties working towards the relationship.
You just never felt that way
It is possible that my partner did not feel the same way I did about keeping the relationship alive.
I wish you believed in life
It would be nice if my partner had a more positive outlook on life.
Believed in fate
If they believed that things happened for a reason, maybe they would be more open to working on our relationship.
Believed you were lucky
I wish my partner realized how lucky they are to have me and our relationship.
And worth the wait
It is important that my partner values and is willing to work for our relationship, even if it takes time.
'Cause life could be lovely
There is so much potential for happiness and love in life, if only we are willing to work for it.
Life could be so great
There are endless possibilities for joy and fulfillment in life, if only we open ourselves up to it.
It gets so embarrassing
This situation is becoming humiliating and difficult for me to bear.
So I acquiesce
I give in to your wishes and agree to your terms.
And I'll change my mind again
I may not agree with you fully and may change my mind again in the future.
You change your address - oh
You are constantly moving and changing, making it difficult for me to keep up and maintain our relationship.
It seems logical to me
From a practical point of view, this makes sense to me.
But then again be
However, there may be factors I am not considering.
Could be I was simply not that smart
Perhaps I am not as intelligent or wise as I thought I was, and that is why I am having difficulty navigating this relationship.
There must be some other door that they are saving
There may be other opportunities or possibilities out there that I am not aware of yet.
Behind which my happiness lies
There may be a path or opportunity that will lead to my happiness and fulfillment.
I won't be wasting my words
I choose not to waste my time and energy discussing hopes and dreams that may not come to fruition.
To tell you hopes that I had
I do not want to talk about my plans for the future if they may not happen.
We can just leave it alone for now
Let's put this conversation on hold and not discuss it further.
Believe in life
Again, I express that I wish my partner had a more positive outlook on life.
Believe in fate
I wish my partner believed there is a greater purpose behind things and trusted the journey we are on.
Believe you are lucky
I want my partner to recognize how fortunate they are to have our relationship.
And worth the wait
I want my partner to be willing to work for and wait for the potential happiness in our relationship.
'Cause life could be lovely
I express again the potential for a beautiful and fulfilling life if we put in the work and effort towards it.
Life could be fucking great.
There is so much potential for an amazing life, and I want my partner to see that and work with me towards it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: AIMEE MANN, JULES SHEAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bullmoose6253
This is by far my favorite Aimee - penned song. Coming up Close and On Sunday are my other TT tracks.
The refrain from Lucky echoes a poem I wrote in Jr High. I wish I could find it.
There must be some other door that they are saving
Behind which my happiness lies
I won't be wasting my words
To tell you hopes that I had
We can just leave it alone for now
Good stuff
@RobertGoodman-qw1yd
I loved all the Til Tuesday albums, and “Everything’s Different Now” was my favorite. Every song was a masterpiece. I bought so many copies of this CD: it was my go to birthday and Christmas present for years. I wanted everyone to hear it. It remains one of favorite albums of all time. Simply brilliant.
@buddygottvideos
This is such a great song. It may be my favorite by them.
@JeffFigueroa-iq2zl
TIL TUESDAY ROCK'S ON!💯🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟❤❤❤❤❤❤🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
@peterfranks7619
I absolutely love surfing the net and finding these jewels of songs long past.
@eljac63
This song was included on EVERY mix-tape-CD-mp3 I ever made. It still stands up as a perfect pop-rock lyrical masterpiece. Great art punches you in the stomach and includes you in the collective experience of pain and joy.
@myrainingstars
love this band so much ...Til Tuesday should have been massive in the 80ies, 35 years , time flies, Everything is different now is still in my top 10 albums ever
@Winnipegger100
One of the most underrated songs and albums of the 80's! Epic records refused to promote as it was considered less commercial at the time with acoustic guitars! Less than a year later Tracy Chapman, Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls came along and acoustic guitars were everywhere! Refused to see Aimee's forward thinking about where music was going in 1987!
@marcofalzone6469
Exactly
@michelelaraia7358
Saw the 45 in shop back then, had a listen from the shopkeeper, didn't purchase it, even though I loved it, but I listen to it right now!
@georgemathie8123
It's basically Aimee Mann's rumors a starkly dark and awesome album