Lightning Strikes

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a dramatic scenario where the narrator is confronted by an overwhelming, perhaps destructive, force symbolized by "lightning strikes." This isn't just a literal storm; it's a metaphor for life's unpredictable, powerful events that demand a response. The repeated question, "What you gonna do when the lightning strikes and hits you?" sets up a sense of urgency and helplessness, immediately followed by inquiries about finding solutions or understanding, like "secret of stealing the world" or "wisdom of pearls in your eyes." This juxtaposition highlights a struggle between external chaos and the internal search for meaning or control. The core tension lies in navigating these intense moments. The lyrics suggest a contrast between passive observation or ineffective communication ("Talk talk talk will always get you someplace") and active engagement. The narrator grapples with situations like a "joker forgets his lines" or "stepping off a cloud into space," implying moments of unexpected failure or profound disorientation. The desire to "live again" and "get the picture" indicates a drive to overcome these challenges and find clarity amidst the turmoil. A striking element is the lyrical emphasis on action and sensory experience over mere words. Phrases like "Shake it up and shake me till I'm done" and the repeated "Take take take 'n' take me thru the lightning" urge a physical, visceral response. The bridge, with its focus on "touching my spirit touching my feeling," further emphasizes a need for direct, emotional connection and shared experience as a way to confront the overwhelming power of the "lightning." Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their raw, urgent questioning and their call to action. By posing direct, almost confrontational questions about how to react to life's "lightning strikes," the song bypasses abstract contemplation and pushes toward immediate, embodied experience. The repeated desire to "get me some" in the chorus and outro suggests a yearning for something tangible, a direct experience of life or perhaps an escape, found not in talking, but in doing and feeling.