The Meaning Behind “Ladykillers,” Lush’s Final U.S. Hit

The first time many in the U.S. heard the English shoegaze band Lush was when their 1990 single “Sweetness and Light” went into heavy rotation on modern rock radio stations. The song’s title was an apt description of Lush’s sound, and that impression was reinforced on the band’s subsequent singles. More than five years after releasing their first hit, Lush emerged with a higher-energy sound on what would be their final album Lovelife. That record’s biggest single packed a punch that belied Lush’s mellow reputation.

It’s not just the steady beat and driving guitar that set “Ladykillers” apart. Miki Berenyi’s lyrics paint an unflattering picture of self-obsessed, manipulative men who think they are “ladykillers,” but whose motives are all too transparent. Berenyi’s biting delivery and the highly specific nature of her descriptions suggest “Ladykillers” could be about actual situations from her own life. Over the years, the former Lush vocalist has clarified that certain men did inspire her to write the song, but focusing on them obscures “Ladykillers”’ true meaning.

The Identity of “Blondie”

Each of the three verses of “Ladykillers” sketches a portrait of a repellant would-be Romeo, and Berenyi’s answer to each of them is largely the same. In the chorus, she reminds them that When it comes to men like you / I know the score, I’ve heard it all before.

Naturally, listeners wanted to know who Berenyi was calling out. She removed the mystery from one of the verses shortly after Lovelife was released. In a 1996 interview with SPINonline, Berenyi revealed the third and final verse was about Weezer bassist and The Rentals frontman Matt Sharp. She only refers to him in the verse as “Blondie,” and she makes it plain that he was far more interested in her than she was in him.

Blondie was with me for a summer

He flirted like a maniac but I wouldn’t bite

I’m weak and he was so persistent

He only had to have me ’cause I put up a fight

She explains that her lack of interest was due, at least in part, due to his egotism.

When he’s nice to me, he’s just nice to himself

And he’s watching his reflection

I’m a five-foot mirror for adoring himself

Here’s seven years’ bad luck

The “Sensitive Soul”

As unflattering as Berenyi’s characterization of Sharp is, it’s practically glowing compared to the character she describes in the second verse. The subject of this verse is manipulative, trying to present himself as a “sensitive soul” in order to make himself look more enlightened.

Hey you, the muscles and the long hair

Telling me that women are superior to men

Most guys just don’t appreciate this

You just try convincing me you’re better than them

While Berenyi did not initially confirm the identity of this verse’s inspiration, the song’s video dropped a strong hint. As Berenyi sings the verse, she is being talked at by an actor who bears a remarkable resemblance to Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis. Without linking him to the song, Berenyi told Under the Radar in 2007 that during the 2002 Lollapalooza festival, Kiedis had acted boorishly, inviting her to join the band at a strip club. Then 15 years later, Berenyi admitted in an interview for Guitar World the verse was inspired by Kiedis.

Meant to Be “Lighthearted”

Though Berenyi has named names in regard to the final two verses, she has also clarified that “Ladykillers” is about more than some unpleasant interactions with a pair of male rock stars. In her Guitar World interview, she said focusing on Sharp and Kiedis, “kind of lets everyone else off the hook,” adding, “It might have been inspired by a particular bloke, but there are an awful lot of blokes who behave like that.” The shady character in the first verse who is trying to pit two women against each other has not been linked to any one individual and could just be a stand-in for a particular type of man.

Both Berenyi and Lush guitarist Emma Anderson have cautioned listeners against taking “Ladykillers” too seriously. In an interview for MTV’s 120 Minutes, Anderson said “a lot of [the song] is quite lighthearted and tongue-in-cheek.” Berenyi echoed that sentiment, telling Guitar World, “It’s meant to be a bit lighthearted. I’m not trying to crucify these people.” Given that Berenyi was subsequently a guest vocalist on The Rentals’ track “The Cruise,” it would appear there may not have been hard feelings between her and Sharp.

The Impact of “Ladykillers”

In peaking at No. 18 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, “Ladykillers” did not follow in the footsteps of “Sweetness and Light” and “For Love,” both of which reached the Top 10. However, “Ladykillers” became one of Lush’s biggest hits on the UK Official Singles Chart. Prior to the release of Lovelife, the band had never cracked that chart’s Top 30. But all three of that album’s singles did so, with “Ladykillers” topping out at No. 22. With nearly 10 million streams, “Ladykillers” is Lush’s second-most popular song on Spotify, trailing only “For Love.”

Tragically, Lush’s drummer Chris Acland committed suicide in October 1996. Lush would disband and not release another studio album after Lovelife. Though U.S. audiences were just getting to know Lush, they left fans with a legacy of beautifully crafted songs. “Ladykillers” was a reminder the band could also be direct with their music and their words.

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