"Changed the Locks" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. It was released in 1989 as the first single from her third album, Lucinda Williams (1988).

"Changed the Locks"
Single by Lucinda Williams
from the album Lucinda Williams
B-side"Goin' Back Home"
Released1989
Genre
Length3:39
LabelRough Trade
Songwriter(s)Lucinda Williams
Producer(s)
Lucinda Williams singles chronology
"Happy Woman Blues/I Lost It"
(1981)
"Changed the Locks"
(1989)
"The Night's Too Long"
(1989)

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers covered the song for the soundtrack album to the 1996 film She's The One, and it reached No. 20 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[1]

Critical reception

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Country music website Holler listed "Changed the Locks" as No. 3 of the best Lucinda Williams songs; "Over the course of this slow burner from her self-titled release, Lucinda rises from the depths of debilitation of abuse to finally face her offender. With surmounting strength, the artist reclaims her power with every boot-stomping verse. Contagious rock tones spur solidarity for listeners who have struggled to take the steps detailed throughout the anthem."[2] LA Weekly ranked it at No. 11 on their list of Williams' best 11 songs, calling it "one of her most hard hitting numbers", writing "Her sneering vocal performance fits the song's ill-tempered mood."[3] NPR described it as a "barn burner",[4] while music website Return of Rock ranked it No. 1 on their list of Williams' 12 songs.[5]

Track listing

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7" single[6]
  • "Changed The Locks" – 3:39
  • "Goin' Back Home" – 3:22

Charts

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Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Billboard Hard Rock Digital Song Sales[7] 16

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers version

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"Change the Locks"
 
Single by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
from the album Songs and Music from "She's the One"
Released1996
GenreRock
Length4:56
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Lucinda Williams
Producer(s)
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers singles chronology
"Walls (Circus)"
(1996)
"Change the Locks"
(1996)
"Free Girl Now"
(1999)

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their cover of the song as a single from the soundtrack album Songs and Music from "She's the One" (1996). AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it an "excellent cover, performed with affection and vigor."[8]

Track listing

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CD single[9]
  • "Change The Locks" – 4:56

Charts

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Chart (1996) Peak
position
US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart[1] 20

References

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  1. ^ a b "Tom Petty Chart History: Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Crone, Madeline. "The Best Lucinda Williams Songs". Holler. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  3. ^ Smyers, Darryl (September 20, 2013). "Lucinda Williams' Best 11 Songs". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  4. ^ Powers, Ann (April 24, 2020). "Lucinda Williams: A Guide To Her Best Songs". NPR. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "Lucinda Williams Songs Ranked". Return of Rock. May 20, 2021. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  6. ^ "Lucinda Williams – Changed the Locks - 7" single". Discogs. 1989. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  7. ^ "Lucinda Williams Chart History: Rock Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  8. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Songs and Music From "She's the One"". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  9. ^ "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Changed the Locks - CD single". Discogs. 1996. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
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