"Lucky Love" is a 1995 song recorded by Swedish group Ace of Base. It is taken from their album, The Bridge. The song became their fifth worldwide single, and was the first single from The Bridge to be released in Europe; the acoustic version of the song was the second single in the United States and Canada. "Lucky Love" also became their first number-one in Sweden and it also peaked at number-one in Finland. The single peaked within the top 10 in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Hungary, Israel, Spain and Zimbabwe. On the European Hot 100, it reached number 16. The song's lyrics describes the feeling of being a teenager in love and never forgetting that feeling. The song was performed during the 1995 World Championships in Athleticsopening ceremony in Göteborg.
Critical reception
editor Bryan Buss wrote that "Lucky Love" is a "pretty" song. Larry Flick from Billboard noted that "this is the single that the act's diehard fans have been screaming for since the launch of the album"The Bridge". He added that the song is "far more substantial and satisfying than" the previous "Beautiful Life" and it "rides a brainseeping chorus that you will be singing to yourself whether you want to or not." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented that "proving their particular style of music comes in all shapes and colors, Jenny, Linn, Buddha, and Joker roll into '96 with a song that people like B96-Chicago MD Erik Bradley were testifying about long before the end of last year. "Lucky Love" was released as their first single in the U.K., where it became an instant smash—a fact that should come as no big surprise to anyone who's heard the song. More than a few programmers predict Number One, and you'll get no argument here." Robbie Daw from Idolator described it as a "bouncy" tune. Los Angeles Times said that it's a "eminently hummable" track. Brian A. Gnatt from The Michigan Daily noted that "Lucky Love" "is the best track on the album, with its incredibly warm feel and catchy chorus. The track tackles new ground for the band and captures it easily." Music & Media commented in their review of the song, that "all the hits from the Happy Nation CD are a hard act to follow, but the Swedish quartet succeeds here hands down. Are they maybe on a special frequency allowing them to download top melodies?" Øystein Molander from Romerikes Blad stated that with songs like "Lucky Love" and "Beautiful Life", Ace of Base shows "that they have become worthy heirs of ABBA and Roxette." Chuck Campbell from Scripps Howard News Service called it "merely competent."
Music video
Two videos were produced for the song.
European version
The first, released in Europe, directed by Rocky Schenck and featuring the original version of the song, focuses on a middle-aged woman reuniting with the boyfriend she had as a teenager. The band is seen around the actors in the video and also though footage shot by the band themselves using a handheld video camera. The video was shot in Gothenburg in August 1995. An alternate edit of this version featuring the acoustic version of the song was featured on the 2008 Greatest Hits DVD.
US version (acoustic version)
The second video, released in North America and featuring the acoustic version of the song, focuses on several young couples interacting in various scenarios with shots of the band cut in. A shot of the video for "Beautiful Life" can be seen on a television screen in this version. This version was filmed on 29 and 30 January 1996 at Hampton Court House.
