"Changed the Locks" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. It was released in 1989 as the first single from her third album, Lucinda Williams (1988).
| "Changed the Locks" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Lucinda Williams | ||||
| from the album Lucinda Williams | ||||
| B-side | "Goin' Back Home" | |||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:39 | |||
| Label | Rough Trade | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Lucinda Williams | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Lucinda Williams singles chronology | ||||
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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers covered the song for the soundtrack album to the 1996 film She's The One, and it reached No. 20 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[1]
Critical reception
editCountry music website Holler listed "Changed the Locks" as No. 3 of the best Lucinda Williams songs; "Over the course of this slow burner from her self-titled release, Lucinda rises from the depths of debilitation of abuse to finally face her offender. With surmounting strength, the artist reclaims her power with every boot-stomping verse. Contagious rock tones spur solidarity for listeners who have struggled to take the steps detailed throughout the anthem."[2] LA Weekly ranked it at No. 11 on their list of Williams' best 11 songs, calling it "one of her most hard hitting numbers", writing "Her sneering vocal performance fits the song's ill-tempered mood."[3] NPR described it as a "barn burner",[4] while music website Return of Rock ranked it No. 1 on their list of Williams' 12 songs.[5]
Track listing
edit- 7" single[6]
- "Changed The Locks" – 3:39
- "Goin' Back Home" – 3:22
Charts
edit| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hard Rock Digital Song Sales[7] | 16 |
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers version
edit| "Change the Locks" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers | ||||
| from the album Songs and Music from "She's the One" | ||||
| Released | 1996 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 4:56 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Lucinda Williams | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers singles chronology | ||||
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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their cover of the song as a single from the soundtrack album Songs and Music from "She's the One" (1996). AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it an "excellent cover, performed with affection and vigor."[8]
Track listing
edit- CD single[9]
- "Change The Locks" – 4:56
Charts
edit| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart[1] | 20 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Tom Petty Chart History: Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ Crone, Madeline. "The Best Lucinda Williams Songs". Holler. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ Smyers, Darryl (September 20, 2013). "Lucinda Williams' Best 11 Songs". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
- ^ Powers, Ann (April 24, 2020). "Lucinda Williams: A Guide To Her Best Songs". NPR. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "Lucinda Williams Songs Ranked". Return of Rock. May 20, 2021. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "Lucinda Williams – Changed the Locks - 7" single". Discogs. 1989. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "Lucinda Williams Chart History: Rock Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Songs and Music From "She's the One"". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Changed the Locks - CD single". Discogs. 1996. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
External links
edit- Album version by Lucinda Williams on YouTube, official audio (no music video)
- Album version by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on YouTube, official audio (no music video)