Thunder (East 17 song)

"Thunder" is a song recorded by English boy band East 17, released as the first single from their third album, Up All Night (1995), on 23 October 1995 by London Records. It was written by band member Tony Mortimer, who co-produced it with Ian Curnow, Phil Harding and Rob Kean. The song achieved success in many countries, including Belgium (Wallonia), Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK, where it was a top-10 hit. Its music video was directed by Francis Ridley, featuring the band performing at an indoor set, where it later begins to rain.

Critical reception
Victoria Segal from Melody Maker noted the "bizarre fantasia" of "Thunder". A reviewer from Music Week gave the song three out of five, writing, "A bland, lyrically-lacking rehash of all the elements which has made East 17 so successful. But it's catchy enough to create a stir." John Robinson from NME commented, "Continuing the preoccupation with meteorological phenomena that began with 'Let It Rain', this is East 17's gothic ballad. Featuring extensive use of those slightly annoying DUM-DUM-DUM-DIDDLY-CRASH drum fills from Phil Collins' first batch of My Wife Left Me records, 'Thunder' finds the lean 'Teen out among the elements being called by a distant rumble to an intriguing and no doubt even sexual liaison under purple skies where the wild horses roam."

Track listings

 * CD single
 * 1) "Thunder" (Radio Edit) – 4:16
 * 2) "E-17 - Overture Medley" * (Live Steam Tour '95) – 9:28


 * CD maxi
 * 1) "Thunder" (Radio Edit)
 * 2) "E-17 - Overture Medley" (Live Steam Tour '95)
 * 3) "Thunder" (Video Mix)
 * 4) "Thunder" (Lightning Mix)


 * Cassette
 * 1) "Thunder" (Radio Edit) – 4:16
 * 2) "E-17 - Overture Medley" * (Live Steam Tour '95) – 9:28

* Contains "Let It Rain", "Stay Another Day", "House of Love", "Gold", "It's Alright", "Be There"

Credits

 * Written by Anthony Mortimer
 * Artwork by E.17/Form
 * Photography of the band by Lawrence Watson
 * Photography of the Cloud by Comstock, Inc.