Ep. 583 - Dean Friedman - Singer-songwriter best known for the hits “Ariel” and “Lucky Stars”
My Time Capsule
Cast Off Productions
4.8 • 842 Ratings
🗓️ 4 May 2026
⏱️ 42 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Dean Friedman is a US singer-songwriter best known in the UK for the hit singles “Ariel” (1977) and “Lucky Stars” (1978), a Top 40 duet with Denise Marsa. He has released an extensive catalogue of independently produced albums and EPs, retaining full creative control of his work, and has toured the UK regularly for decades, building a loyal audience. His songs have been widely broadcast on UK radio, particularly on BBC Radio 2, sustaining his profile beyond his chart years. In addition to his recording career, Friedman has created educational music initiatives, including designing and building accessible instruments for children and developing school programmes focused on songwriting and creativity.
Dean Friedman is our guest in episode 583 of My Time Capsule and he chats to Michael Fenton Stevens about the five things he’d like to put in a time capsule; four he’d like to preserve and one he’d like to bury and never have to think about again .
For EVERYTHIG Dean Friedman, visit - https://www.deanfriedman.com .
Tickets for Dean Friedman’s Songfest - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/songfest-2026-fri-sat-sun-28-29-30-aug-rugby-tickets-1803641974699?aff=deantrack01 .
Follow Dean Friedman on Instagram: @dean.friedman .
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Follow Michael Fenton Stevens on Twitter/X: @fentonstevens & Instagram @mikefentonstevens .
Produced and edited by John Fenton-Stevens for Cast Off Productions .
Music by Pass The Peas Music .
Artwork by matthewboxall.com .
This podcast is proud to be associated with the charity Viva! Providing theatrical opportunities for hundreds of young people .
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello and welcome to my time capsule. My name's Mike Fenton-Stevens, and my time capsule is the podcast where people tell me five things from their life they wish they had in a time capsule. |
| 0:22.1 | Four things they cherish and one thing they'd like to bury and forget. |
| 0:26.6 | My guest in this episode is the music icon, Dean Friedman. |
| 0:31.7 | Dean first marked his entry into pop consciousness with the top 20 chart success of his infectious hit single, Ariel, |
| 0:39.5 | a quirky, irresistible and uncategorizable pop song about a free-spirited pot-smoking vegetarian |
| 0:45.9 | Jewish girl in a peasant blouse, who lived, as the lyrics go, way on the other side of the Hudson. |
| 0:52.5 | Friedman scored again with the release of his follow-up album, |
| 0:55.9 | Well Well Said the Rocking Chair, |
| 0:57.8 | and the now classic hit single, Lucky Stars, |
| 1:00.9 | which zoomed to the top of the UK single charts going instantly gold. |
| 1:05.3 | Lucky Stars paved the way for a slew of Friedman hits, |
| 1:08.8 | including familiar radio staples, such as Lydia, |
| 1:12.0 | rocking chair, McDonald's Girl and Woman of Mine. |
| 1:15.8 | Friedman's consummate songwriting and performing have earned him a loyal international following |
| 1:20.5 | over the last 40 years, devoted to the sophisticated, funny and profound work of a master |
| 1:26.6 | songsmith. |
| 1:28.0 | Though Dean's single, McDonald's Girl was officially banned by the BBC, funny and profound work of a master songsmith. Though Dean's single, McDonald's Girl, was officially banned by the BBC |
| 1:31.4 | for mentioning the trade name of a fast food restaurant, I'm not sure which one, |
| 1:36.2 | the irrepressible pop song has been successfully covered by a number of acclaimed contemporary bands, |
| 1:41.4 | including the Blenders and top Canadian band Bear Naked Ladies. |
| 1:45.7 | And now, ironically, three decades after being banned, the song has just been licensed by |
| 1:50.3 | the McDonald's Corporation to be featured in a national TV and radio campaign. Dean has composed |
... |
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