Get Lucky

When you listen to Get Lucky, it's almost inevitable to feel that energy that invites you to move. The song, released in 2013, has that disco and funk vibe that transports you straight to another era, but with a super fresh sound. Pharrell Williams, who provides the vocals, said that the lyrics are about that luck of connecting with someone, about the chemistry that arises, beyond the purely physical. And yes, you can feel that spark in every note.

The story of how Get Lucky came about is fascinating. The guys from Daft Punk, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, reconnected with Nile Rodgers, whom they had known since a party in New York for their first album, Homework, back in 1997. Despite being friends, schedules and unforeseen events had postponed a collaboration. Finally, they invited him to record for Random Access Memories at Electric Lady Studios in New York. Coincidentally, that same studio was where the first single by Chic, Rodgers' band, was recorded, and it's also in the neighborhood where he grew up.

Before Rodgers added his guitar, the song existed in a more basic form, centered around a Wurlitzer electric piano. Upon hearing it, Rodgers asked for all elements except the drums to be lowered so he could create his guitar part. He experimented until he saw that Daft Punk were satisfied. After his contribution, Nathan East had to re-record the bass line to fit with Rodgers' guitar. He himself commented that everyone ended up playing for him. The sound engineer, Mick Guzauski, recalled that the rhythm guitar integrated seamlessly, sounding great without needing much processing.

On the other hand, Pharrell Williams learned about the project at a party attended by Madonna and offered to collaborate. They met in Paris, where he shared some ideas he had been working on, inspired by Rodgers, without knowing that Daft Punk was already recording with him. Williams also mentioned the duo's perfectionist approach to recording vocals, asking for multiple takes and repetitions of specific phrases. The total process to complete Get Lucky took about 18 months.