Lightning Strikes (Aerosmith song)
Encyclopedia
"Lightning Strikes" is a song by American hard rock
band Aerosmith
. It was released as the first of two singles from the band's 1982
album Rock in a Hard Place
. It is notable as Aerosmith's only charting single from the lineup without guitarists Joe Perry
and Brad Whitford
, who were replaced by Jimmy Crespo
and Rick Dufay
after they left the band in 1979
and 1981
respectively.
The song was written by Richie Supa, a friend and collaborator of the band. Despite Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford
leaving the band before the album's release, he can be heard playing the rhythm guitar parts on the song. The song was released as a promotional single to rock radio in 1982
and reached #21 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks
chart.
s for MTV
and other networks with this song. Directed by Arnold Levine, the music video flashes back and forth between the band performing in what appears to be a studio or small venue and then out on the streets, where the band members flash angry looks, and wield baseball bats, chains, knives, and other weapons, suggesting a fight is about to take place. The song also features fake lightning strikes during the transitions between the band's performance and the streets, and also baseball bats hitting unsuspecting melons in the air.
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
. It was released as the first of two singles from the band's 1982
1982 in music
This is a list of notable events in music from 1982. 1982 was a big year in music with Madonna making her debut as well as the year that Michael Jackson released Thriller which became the world's best selling album and it still holds that title today....
album Rock in a Hard Place
Rock in a Hard Place
-Notes:The track "Cry Me a River" is a cover written by Arthur Hamilton.The last track of the album, "Push Comes to Shove" is about Tyler's then girlfriend and future wife Teresa Barrick and her twin sister Lisa.-Band:...
. It is notable as Aerosmith's only charting single from the lineup without guitarists Joe Perry
Joe Perry (musician)
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Perry is the lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocalist, and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith. He is influenced by many rock artists especially The Rolling Stones and The Beatles...
and Brad Whitford
Brad Whitford
Bradford Ernest Whitford is the rhythm guitarist for the hard rock band Aerosmith. He graduated Reading Memorial High School in 1970.-Career:...
, who were replaced by Jimmy Crespo
Jimmy Crespo
James "Jimmy" Crespo Jr. is an American guitarist. He was the lead guitarist for the hard rock band Aerosmith from 1979 until 1984. Jimmy co-wrote Rock in a Hard Place with Steven Tyler...
and Rick Dufay
Rick Dufay
Richard Marc "Rick" Dufay is a guitarist who played in Aerosmith in the period after Brad Whitford left the band in 1980 up to his return in 1984....
after they left the band in 1979
1979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
and 1981
1981 in music
See also:* Timeline of musical eventsThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1981.-January–April:*January 10 – A revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadway's Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith.*January 24 –...
respectively.
The song was written by Richie Supa, a friend and collaborator of the band. Despite Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford
Brad Whitford
Bradford Ernest Whitford is the rhythm guitarist for the hard rock band Aerosmith. He graduated Reading Memorial High School in 1970.-Career:...
leaving the band before the album's release, he can be heard playing the rhythm guitar parts on the song. The song was released as a promotional single to rock radio in 1982
1982 in music
This is a list of notable events in music from 1982. 1982 was a big year in music with Madonna making her debut as well as the year that Michael Jackson released Thriller which became the world's best selling album and it still holds that title today....
and reached #21 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
chart.
Music video
The band created one of their earliest actual music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s for MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and other networks with this song. Directed by Arnold Levine, the music video flashes back and forth between the band performing in what appears to be a studio or small venue and then out on the streets, where the band members flash angry looks, and wield baseball bats, chains, knives, and other weapons, suggesting a fight is about to take place. The song also features fake lightning strikes during the transitions between the band's performance and the streets, and also baseball bats hitting unsuspecting melons in the air.