We all have a “lucky song”. I found mine just at the right time and it was Hey boy hey girl by The chemical brothers.

But what do I mean by “lucky song”? It’s the one you listen when you are nearly over the brink. The one you use to pep yourself to ask someone out to dance. The one you use to get out of bed.

I first heard of The chemical brothers when Block rockin’ beats took the airwaves by storm in spring of 97. Not only was the song the perfect mix of rock and electronica I was craving, but it had a cool video too. This became a calling card for the duet, as their videos are as important to them as their music. Simply go and witness their live shows, where they usually hide in the darkness and let music and video do the talking.

I was terrified of asking anyone out and even if now it’s business as usual, simply asking a person to dance to the beats seemed impossible.

The slow build up. The sample shushing “hey boy, hey girl” before shouting “superstar DJs, here we go!” was my queue to get ready. “It’s just dancing and having fun” I repeated to myself and did what I wouldn’t usually do.

Surrender is such a great album and you’ll find your attention rewarded by the lengthy songs. Hey boy hey girl is not the best song in that album (the honour goes for Out of control) but it’ll always have a place in my heart as a song that helped me climb that steep hill called social anxiety. 

What’s your “lucky song”?

-Sam J Valdés López