Recorded - September 3, 1965
Released - December 1965
#1 for week of February 19, 1966.
Tonight on Dr. Rock's Hit Or Miss, it's "When early 1960's dinosaurs take over the charts". The funny thing is there were only three years between Lou Christie's first hits in 1963 and hit only #1 in 1966. The pop music world had been radically changed in this short time span. In early 1963, a song like "Two Faces Have I", with its doo-wop sound and Frankie Valli-esque falsetto vocals sounded fresh and new. After two years, not only had the British Invasion occurred, but American music was very heavily influenced by folk music. How could someone who was seemingly a dinosaur churn out a #1 hit? Answer - Lightning.
Co-written by Lou Christie along with his longtime songwriting partner Twyla Herbert, "Lightnin' Strikes" is lyrically much more grounded in the early 1960's. With some quasi-romantic themes and a few lyrics that come across as a wee bit sexist, it certainly is an oldie with a capital "O". There is no way that this song would fly if it was put out anytime after 1970.
To add to the early 1960's feel, we have the remaining Angels, of "My Boyfriend's Back" fame, on backing vocals. Their voices actually give this song a bit of extra charm in my opinion. Lou Christie's vocal range is also rather impressive as he goes from a baritone croon to a falsetto so high, it surpasses the vocal range of the backing vocalists! Additionally, that "I Can't Stop" build up is a truly great hook.
Where "Lightnin' Strikes" succeeds the most is in the music. The verses, pre-choruses, and chorus all have different instruments on display, thus keeping the song sounding different as it goes along. There's even a rather modern (for the time) guitar solo. So, don't concentrate all your attention on the lyrics, as it is the music that makes this song special.
Final Verdict - "Lightnin' Strikes" is a prime example of a dated but still good sounding tune. It may not have aged as well lyrically, but there is enough complexity in the music to keep the listener entertained.
Coming Up Next - "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra.
Until Next Time - I'm Dr. Rock, and lightning never strikes me -
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