Want to hear the Who imitate Daft Punk? Today’s your lucky day. The UK rock legends released a new song — their first new material since their 2006 album Endless Wire — titled “Be Lucky.”
The song will appear on a 42-track compilation, Who Hits 50!, which celebrates the group’s 50th anniversary. David Bowie pulled a similar trick recently, announcing a career-spanning compilation, Nothing Has Changed, which includes one new song, “Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime).”
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“Be Lucky” features a steadily repeated chorus evoking “Who Are You,” a top 20 hit for the group in 1978. The title seems like a response to Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” a smash from last summer. The band also refers to the French duo in their lyrics. “Daft Punk will tell you it’s gonna be fine,” growls Daltrey, and a goofy burst of Vocoder warbling rises to echo him.
The Who also reference AC/DC in “Be Lucky,” shouting, “AC/DC’s gonna be fine,” presumably in reference to rumors from earlier this year that the Aussie rockers were retiring.
According to the band, all the royalties from “Be Lucky” will be donated to charity. Who Hits 50! is due Oct. 27.