Lightning (song)

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For other songs, see Lightning (disambiguation).

"Lightning"
Single by the Wanted
from the album Battleground
Released14 October 2011 (2011-10-14)
Recorded2010–11
Genre
Length3:26
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Steve Mac
The Wanted singles chronology
"Glad You Came"
(2011) 		"Lightning"
(2011) 		"Warzone"
(2011)
Music video
"Lightning" on YouTube

"Lightning" is a song by British-Irish boy band the Wanted, taken as the third single from their second studio album, Battleground. It was released on 16 October 2011. The song was written by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Ed Drewett, the same team responsible for the band's number-one single, "Glad You Came". The song debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart, behind Rihanna's "We Found Love". The single was originally intended for release in the United States, following the success of "Glad You Came", and a promotional remix single was issued, however, its release was cancelled.

Background[edit]

The song was written by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Ed Drewett. It was first premiered during the band's Spring 2011 tour, where many fans assumed it to be the first single from Battleground. The song kicks off with a thumping electronic beat, as Tom's raspy vocals come in: "You're in control, pressing pause on my heartbeat...". During the chorus, the band sing: "I know it's a little bit frightening, we might as well be playing with lightning now-ow-ow."[1] Band member Tom Parker said of the song, "We all felt it was a sound like we've never done before. It's the perfect prelude to the album, and a great song to get you in the mood for a party."[2] The song premiered on mainstream radio on 17 September 2011. Band member Max George said of the song, "It was only really meant as a filler track. Something to keep the fans interested on the weeks leading up to the album release. We never knew it would be so successful."[3]

Critical reception[edit]

A positive reception came from "CBBC Newsround" who rated it four out of five stars. They went on to say that "The verses aren't that catchy, but the chorus will get you humming in a lightning flash!." They also said that "the rousing singalong chorus is well worth waiting for."[1] Another positive reception came from Digital Spy's Lewis Corner, who rated it four stars out of five and wrote that "[...] The five-piece croon over a cool 'n' catchy melody more addictive than snacking on a tube of Pringles in front of the telly." [...] "The results are strikingly similar; once you pop, you shamelessly can't stop no matter how much you try."[4]

Promotion[edit]

The band performed the song live for the first time during the results show of the 16 October edition of The X Factor. They also made a special appearance on the Strictly Come Dancing Halloween Special to perform the song, on 30 October 2011.

Music video[edit]

The music video for "Lightning" was director by Matt Stawski. The video was filmed in LA, and premiered on 22 September 2011, via the Wanted's YouTube channel.[5] The video features the members of the band performing during a rave, in a similar fashion to their "Glad You Came" video. The video is set at night, and also features many explosions and kissing scenes.

Track listing[edit]

  • Digital download[6]
  1. "Lightning" – 3:23
  2. "Lightning" (Chuckie Extended Mix) – 5:43
  3. "Lightning" (The Alias Remix – Radio Edit) – 3:29
  4. "Glad You Came" (Live Tour Performance) – 3:20
  • UK CD single[7]
  1. "Lightning" – 3:23
  2. "Lightning" (Chuckie Extended Mix) – 5:43
  3. "Lightning" (The Alias Remix – Radio Edit) – 3:29
  • U.S. promotional CD single[8]
  1. "Lightning" (Radio Edit) – 3:24
  2. "Lightning" (Digital Dog Radio Edit) – 3:21
  3. "Lightning" (Digital Dog Club Mix) – 6:28
  4. "Lightning" (Digital Dog Dub) – 6:10
  5. "Lightning" (Almighty Radio Edit) – 3:23
  6. "Lightning" (Almighty Club Mix) – 6:24
  7. "Lightning" (The Alias Remix – Radio Edit) – 3:29
  8. "Lightning" (The Alias Club Mix) – 7:11
  9. "Lightning" (Chuckie Extended Mix) – 5:43
  10. "Lightning" (Chuckie Club Mix) – 6:13
  11. "Lightning" (Chuckie Dub) – 5:14

Charts and certifications[edit]

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format Label
Australia 14 October 2011 Digital download[19]
Ireland
United Kingdom 16 October 2011 Digital download[6]
17 October 2011 CD single[7]
United States 24 November 2011 Promotional CD single[8] Mercury

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Review: The Wanted – Lightning". CBBC Newsround. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  2. ^ "Hot Video Alert: The Wanted – Lightning" (Press release). Music Is My Kingsize Bed. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  3. ^ Renshaw, David (8 November 2011). "The Wanted Criticise Frankie Cocozza, Tease New Collaborations". PopDash.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  4. ^ Corner, Lewis (18 October 2011). "The Wanted: 'Lightning' – Single review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  5. ^ The Wanted – Lightning on YouTube
  6. ^ a b "Connecting to the iTunes Store". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  7. ^ a b [1] [permanent dead link]
  8. ^ a b "THE WANTED "LIGHTNING" OFFICIAL & RARE US 11 TRACK PROMO CDS – ALMIGHTY MIXES | eBay". Ebay.co.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Issue 1132" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  10. ^ "The Wanted – Lightning" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  11. ^ "The Wanted – Lightning" (in French). Ultratip.
  12. ^ "The Wanted Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  13. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Lightning". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  14. ^ "The Wanted – Lightning". Top 40 Singles.
  15. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  17. ^ "End of Year Charts: 2011" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  18. ^ "British single certifications – Wanted – Lightning". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  19. ^ "iTunes – Music – Lightning – Single by The Wanted". Retrieved 24 May 2023 – via Apple Music.
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