THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

827-Dean Friedman-Lucky Stars.

1978-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 3.16. Because ‘Lucky Stars’ was only credited to it’s composer Dean Friedman, the female vocalist on the track became known as the ‘Mystery Voice,’ or the ‘Mystery Lady.’

Dean Friedman was born on May 23rd, 1955, in Paramus, New Jersey, United States, he is a singer/songwriter, producer, author, virtual reality designer, video game designer, and he also plays guitar, piano, electric keyboards, and harmonica. In the United States he is considered a ‘one hit wonder,’ as his only Billboard Hot 100 hit was ‘Ariel,’ in 1977, which reached Number 26. The discography of Dean Friedman includes 19 Albums released between 1976-2021, and at least 32 singles, that have been issued between 1977-2021, of which five of those singles have charted around the world between 1977-1982. In the UK, he has charted twice within the top 40, with ‘Lydia,’ from 1978, the follow up single to ‘Lucky Stars,’ reaching Number 31. ‘Lucky Stars’ also reached Number 6 in Australia, and Number 8 in New Zealand in 1978.

‘Lucky Stars’ is one of nine tracks on ‘Well, Well” Said the Rocking Chair,’ which was the third Album release from Dean Friedman, from 1978, the Album was most successful in the UK, where it peaked at Number 21 on the Album chart. ‘Lucky Stars’ was written by Friedman, with the production credited to Rob Stevens, who has also worked with other artists such as Yoko Ono, Herbie Hancock, and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, in the capacity of either being a session musician, engineer, or music producer.

When ‘Lucky Stars’ was released as a single, the songs record label failed to credit the tracks female vocalist Denise Marsa, which led to many speculating as to who she was, the ‘mystery’ was cleared up when her name was added on to the Album sleeves credits. Dean Friedman has said that who she is, is one of the most common questions he is asked at interviews. Denise Marsa said, that with her name being mistakenly left off the singles credits, it caused an ‘on-going issue collecting royalties,’ and she has said that she was not paid any royalties until 2008.

Denise Marsa was born in Trenton, New Jersey, United States, she is a singer, and a songwriter. Marsa moved to New York City in the early 1970’s in order to further her music career, and that was where she first met Dean Friedman, when they were both auditioning for ‘Columbia Recording Studios.’ Friedman then went to watch her perform live, and then got in touch with her, to say he had written a song with her in mind. Denise Marsa also appears on some of the other tracks on the ‘Well, Well,” Said the Rocking Chair’ Album. In 1984 Marsa sang lead vocals on the song ‘Helpless (You Took my Love’) which was credited to the ‘Hi-NRG, Synth-Pop’ group ‘The Flirts,’ which was the brainchild of Bobby ‘O’ Orlando, (see also best songs 871) the song reached Number 12 on the American ‘Billboard Dance Club Songs’ chart, as well as making Number 13 in Germany, and Number 15 in Switzerland. In 1998 Denise Marsa released a solo Album entitled ‘SELF,’ and then in the 2000’s she set up a non-profit venture called ‘WO30 Records,’ which she describes as the first non-profit record label, for women recording artists over the age of 30.

‘Lucky Stars’ tells the story of a couple arguing, after he bumped in to a former girlfriend called ‘Lisa.’ His partner is worried that he might want to get back together with ‘Lisa,’ but he eventually manages to convince her that she is the only one for him.

‘Do you still love me? Yes, I still love you. You mean, you’re not just being nice. No, I’m not just being nice. Do you feel sleepy. Aw, you’re so sincere. yes, I feel sleepy. Well, slide over here. ’cause I may not be all that bright, but I know how to hold you tight and, you can thank your lucky stars that we’re not as smart as we’d like to think we are.’