"Lazy" is a single by the British house duo X-Press 2, featuring vocals from David Byrne, released on 8 April 2002 through Skint Records. It was written and produced by X-Press 2 and co-written by Byrne.
"Lazy" reached number two on the UK singles chart and spent four weeks in the UK top 10. "Lazy" won the Ivors Dance Award at the Ivor Novello Awards in 2003. Byrne included an orchestral version on his 2004 solo album Grown Backwards, and performed it during his 2018 American Utopia tour.
Recording David Byrne initially approached X-Press 2 to ask them to be his backing band, but they declined, saying, "We had to tell him we're just a bunch of studio gits." Byrne told Drowned in Sound: "I love the idea of a throbbing beat, and a dancefloor filled with energised bodies, and the singer proclaiming the merits of laziness."
Byrne recorded his vocals at his home in New York City and emailed them to X-Press 2. Darren Rock of X-Press 2 said: "We put it through the mixing desk. Our music coming out of one side, all his stuff coming out of the other side. We were all there like, 'Oh my god'. At points, he's clucking like a chicken on there, at other points there are these mad organ noises that didn't fit at all. It was so out there. Just nuts." Byrne released an orchestral version on his 2004 album Grown Backwards.
Critical reception Writing in The Guardian, Gary Mullholland called the song "a cheery dance-pop record". Helen Brown of The Daily Telegraph praised it as a "glorious dancefloor collaboration". Drowned in Sounds Jon Smith said: "Catchy, funny and anthemic, if we're lucky this could be the sound of the summer. For those of us who had written off the singles chart as irrelevant, this is a welcome reminder that there's life in the old dog yet." "Lazy" won the Ivors Dance Award at the Ivor Novello Awards in 2003.
Music video The music video was directed by Howard Shur. It features a man played by Bob Stephenson who has created a series of contraptions that enable him to go through his daily routine without moving.
Live performances During a performance on Top of the Pops, Byrne sang while X-Press 2 sat on a bunk bed and at a desk. Byrne performed "Lazy" during his 2018 American Utopia tour.
Track listings
UK CD single "Lazy" (radio edit) "Lazy" (original) "Lazy" (Norman Cook remix) "Lazy" (enhanced video)
UK 12-inch single A1. "Lazy" (original mix) AA1. "Lazy" (acapella) AA2. "Lazy" (reprise)
UK 12-inch single (remixes) A1. "Lazy" (Norman Cook remix) A2. "Lazy" (radio edit) AA1. "Lazy" (Peace Division dub)
European CD single "Lazy" (radio edit) "Lazy" (Norman Cook remix)
Australian CD single "Lazy" (radio edit) "Lazy" (original) "Lazy" (Norman Cook remix)
US maxi-CD single "Lazy" (original) – 9:26 "Lazy" (Norman Cook remix) – 6:18 "Lazy" (Norman Cook dub) – 6:42 "Lazy" (Peace Division dub) – 9:20 "AC/DC" (Gangbanger mix) – 9:26
Credits and personnel Credits are adapted from the European CD single liner notes.
Studios Recorded at Rocksteady Studio (London, England) Mixed at Rollover Studios (London, England)
Personnel
X-Press 2 – writing, production, arrangement, art direction David Byrne – writing, vocals, arrangement Pete Z. – keyboards James Brown – engineering, mixing Adam Wren – mixing Tom Hingston Studio – art direction, design Jason Evans – photography
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2002)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)19Ireland Dance (IRMA)1Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)7US Dance Club Play (Billboard)1
Year-end charts Chart (2002)PositionUK Singles (OCC)58
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom8 April 2002SkintAustralia15 April 2002CDNew Zealand27 May 2002
See also List of UK top 10 singles in 2002 List of UK Dance Singles Chart number ones of 2002 List of UK Independent Singles Chart number ones of 2002
References