Lucky Stars

Album: Well Well Said The Rocking Chair (1978)
Charted: 3
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Dean Friedman's first hit, "Ariel," told the story of burgeoning teenage love. This song from his second album opens with a couple who are clearly on each others nerves and embroiled in a bitter fight, complete with jealousy ("Do you still want her?") and sarcasm ("Your endearing mother called today"). In the end, they make up, thanking their lucky stars that they're "not as smart, as we'd like to think we are," which is sometimes the only thing holding them together.
  • This song is a duet with Denise Marsa, who was performing in the New York area when Friedman spotted her and asked her to sing on this track. She joined Dean to perform this song on the show Top Of The Pops, and went with him on his tour of the UK. She later joined an all-girl band called The Flirts, who recorded a popular dance song called "Helpless (You Took my Love)."
  • In the UK, there are some very big fans of this song, one of whom is Gaby Roslin, who hosted a morning TV show called the Big Breakfast. In 1995, her staff surprised Roslin by presenting her with a large box on the air, which she opened to reveal Dean Friedman, who then played the song with Roslin singing the female part with him. Here's a clip from the show.

Comments: 1

  • Gnipperella from Plymouth UkGreat song, great lyrics, but all these years I'd always thought it was "Your interfering mother called today"!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.