Ladykillers (song)

"Ladykillers" was described as a Britpop track^[2] and "a punky shot of Blondie-esque new wave".^[3] Lacking the reverb-indebted sound of the band's previous material, the track opened with "attention-seizing circular melody and spunky vocals" from lead vocalist Miki Berenyi.^[4] AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that it was influenced by "the direct, jagged pop of Elastica",^[5] but the band were annoyed by what Berenyi called "stupid Elastica comparisons".^[6]

The lyrics are narrated in the first-person, describing several unnamed men's attempts at seducing women. Berenyi later confirmed the second and third verses of the song were about American musicians Anthony Kiedis and Matt Sharp, respectively.^[7][8] Berenyi condemned Kiedis's behavior she witnessed during the 1996 Lollapalooza festival, labeling him as manipulative and detailing an incident in which Kiedis asked her to accompany him to a strip club, as well as what she perceived as his abuse of groupies during the tour.^[9]

Annie Zaleski of The A.V. Club regarded the song as one of the album's standouts, describing it as "a welcome antidote to Britpop's masculine point of view". Zaleski further stated that the track is "a righteous feminist statement in which Lush reminds those with a Y chromosome that respecting women and treating them like smart, competent human beings is perhaps the best first step."^[3] Consequence of Sound critic Frank Mojica stated that Berenyi eviscerates "men with transparent agendas and dubious attitudes towards women everywhere with an infectiously sarcastic wit". He concluded: "It's what would have been hyped as a girl power anthem had it been released a couple years later."^[4] The track was included on VH1's list of "Top 10 Britpop Tracks".^[2]

A music video for the song, directed by Mark Pellington, was released in 1996.^[10] It features the band performing the song, as well as footage of praying mantises decapitating one another.^[11]

UK 7-inch single^[12]

A. "Ladykillers" – 3:14

B. "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend" (The Rubinoos cover) – 3:19

UK CD1^[13]

1. "Ladykillers"
2. "Matador"
3. "Ex"
4. "Dear Me" (Miki's 8-track home demo)

UK CD2^[14]

1. "Ladykillers"
2. "Heavenly"
3. "Carmen"
4. "Plums and Oranges"

Personnel are lifted from the UK CD1 liner notes.^[13]