The single version of the song, which is also used on the video, is different to the album version, replacing the final profane chorus with a non-profane version.[2]
Background
"(Believed You Were) Lucky" was one of a number of songs on Everything's Different Now which was inspired by Mann and Shear's failed relationship. Mann told Steve Morse of The Boston Globe in 1988, "It was a really amazing relationship. I thought it was very healthy to stay together, but Jules just couldn't make up his mind."[3]
Music video
The song's music video was directed by Peter Wallach and produced by Michael Faerman and Wallach.[4] In a 2018 interview with Stereogum, Mann criticized the video for being "super dumb". She added, "It was supposed to look like the Twilight Zone opening. I think that was the concept."[5]
Critical reception
On its release, Billboard described the song as a "spirited pop number" which is "delivered with conviction" and "shouldn't be overlooked".[6]Cash Box listed the single as one of their "feature picks" during October 1988. They felt the song "fits into the quasi-sixties bag" and noted the "tight vocal harmonies".[7]
During February 1989, Music & Media selected the song as their "Single of the Week" and wrote, "This is well produced, atmospheric folk/rock complete with attractive, intriguing melodies supported by a semi-acoustic sound." They also noted Mann's "fanciful vocals" as being "one of the most attractive things about this band".[8]David Cavanagh of Sounds described it as "piping, tuneful stuff, but necessarily wistful" and "a twist on the dreaded Dear John scenario" as Mann "curtail[s] all amorous proceedings because her man lacks self-belief".[9]
In a retrospective review of Everything's Different Now, Alex Henderson of AllMusic picked the song as one of the album's "introspective and personal gems" which shows Mann "coming from the heart".[10]
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