Lene Lovich

The Profile

Lene Lovich (born 1949) is an American new wave singer and performer. Her debut album Stateless (1978) on Stiff Records yielded the hit Lucky Number. A frequent collaborator with multi-instrumentalist Les Chappell, she followed with Flex (1979), No Man’s Land (1982), March (1990), and later Shadows and Dust (2005). Known for a dramatic vocal style, striking image, and adventurous pop songwriting; she also covered I Think We’re Alone Now early on.

Real name Lili‑Marlene Premilovich; American new wave artist active since the late 1970s; associated with Stiff Records; breakout with Lucky Number from Stateless; long-time collaborator Les Chappell; early cover of I Think We’re Alone Now helped spark her signing; compared in reviews to Patti Smith, Kate Bush, and Devo.

Two rave reviews orbit around Lene Lovich’s debut Stateless, praising her genre-bending New Wave/art-rock approach, theatrical voice, and eccentric stage persona. References to Stiff Records, the breakout single Lucky Number, and early cover I Think We’re Alone Now set the scene. Comparisons fly from Patti Smith to Kate Bush and Devo; Les Chappell’s role is highlighted. Overall: ecstatic acclaim for pop eccentricity done right.