Nineties babies, assemble. You’re going to want to hear this.
Following the success of her last single Freaky Friday inspired by that early noughties movie (yes, the one starring Lindsay Lohan), Lucy Deakin has once again turned to pop culture icons to bring to life her latest record: Wish You Were Dead.
Wish You Were Dead interpolates t.A.T.u’s 2002 hit single All The Things She Said, and will have you feeling all the feels. The immediately recognisable introduction conjures the spirit of 2002 MTV and it’s evident that Lucy is unapologetically embracing a new musical era and is one that taps into nostalgia, girl power and addictive pop.
Ahead of its release, the track generated much anticipation, with over 850,000 views on TikTok and more than 1,200 pre-saves across various streaming platforms. The pre-release buzz speaks to the reputation Lucy Deakin is building, particularly with her new found confidence.
Lucy said: “This is a massive sonic influence for me so I wanted to pay credit to this. This song is about a toxic relationship that’s ended, and the downward spiral felt in this situation. The chorus ‘get it out my head everything you said, all I see is red, I wish you were dead’ is a reflection of your own headspace, in that moment when you’re spiralling, wishing that these intense feelings were dead. This was such a fun song to make and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
The familiarity of the opening notes unlocks a collective memory for nineties babies. The track’s sampling of the Russian duo’s hit is skillfully executed – it’s a bold move, particularly to use a piece of music so iconic, but is a risk that has paid off, with Wish You Were Dead paying homage to the original chart topper while Lucy infuses it with her unique style, energy and witty lyrics.
An exploration of a post-toxic relationship landscape, the verses are minimalistic, allowing the lyrics to really take centre stage. The production is characterised by its infectious pop beats and vibrant energy while Lucy’s vocals ride the waves of the melody with precision. She delivers her lyrics with conviction, while the building guitar is brimming with anticipation for the chorus that is filled with visceral emotion.
The hook is insanely catchy and there’s a chance you’ll never sing All The Things She Said the same again. This is Lucy’s song now. She owns it. It’s giving hot girl energy and it needs to be all over TikTok immediately. It’s the new Greedy or It Girl.
Lucy Deakin’s ability to infuse personal experiences into her music is a testament to her authenticity as an artist. The clever sampling of t.A.T.u’s hit adds a layer of nostalgia for those familiar with the 2002 track while introducing a new generation to its infectious energy, and in doing so, has build a sonic time capsule that millennials and Gen Z’s are going to be equally obsessed with.
Listen to Wish You Were Dead by Lucy Deakin here: