The Ballad of Lucy Jordan
Dr. Hook
Lyrics currently unavailable…
12 facts about this song
General Information"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" is a song composed and written by American singer-songwriter Shel Silverstein.
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PerformersAlthough the song is well-known for Dr. Hook's performance, it has been covered by many artists including Marianne Faithfull, whose version appears in the soundtrack for Thelma & Louise.
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Release DetailsDr. Hook's version was released in 1974 as an album track on their record "Bankrupt".
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Song ContentThe song tells a story of a housewife named Lucy Jordan who reflects on her life and dreams she'll never fulfill, leading to a mental breakdown.
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InterpretationSome interpretations suggest that the song's ending alludes to Lucy's suicide, while others believe she has been taken to a mental institution.
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Pop Culture ReferencesThe song's most notable use in pop culture is in the film "Montenegro" and "Thelma & Louise", creating a resurgence of popularity for the song in the late 20th century.
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Song RankingsWhile Dr. Hook's version didn't reach the music charts, Marianne Faithful's 1979 cover achieved great success going all the way to number 1 in Norway, and reaching top 10 in several other countries including UK.
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Original WriterShel Silverstein, who wrote the song, was a famous poet, cartoonist, and writer for children's books, notably known for titles like "Where The Sidewalk Ends" and "The Giving Tree."
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Music Style"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" is characterized by its melancholic tune and deep storytelling narrative, typical of country, folk and pop ballads of the 70s era.
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LegacyDespite its somber theme, "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" has been hailed as a timeless classic and continues to be covered by emerging artists.
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Differences in VersionWhile Dr. Hook's version is more country or folk-oriented, Marianne Faithfull's version is more melodic with a notable orchestral backing.
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Song ConnectionBarry Reynolds, who later worked with Marianne Faithfull on her album "Broken English," was inspired by Dr. Hook's version of this song.
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Citation
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"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/10065319/Dr.+Hook/The+Ballad+of+Lucy+Jordan>.
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