Lightning (song)

"Lightning"
Single by The Wanted
from the album Battleground
Released 16 October 2011 (2011-10-16)
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded 2010-2011
Genre Dance-pop
Length 3:26
Label Island
Writer(s) Steve Mac, Wayne Hector, Ed Drewett
Producer Steve Mac
The Wanted singles chronology
"Glad You Came"
(2011)		 "Lightning"
(2011)		 "Warzone"
(2011)

"Lightning" is a song by British boy band The Wanted from their second studio album, Battleground. It was released as the album's third single on 16 October 2011. The song was written by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Ed Drewett, and it was produced by Steve Mac, the same team responsible for The Wanted's number-one single "Glad You Came". The song debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart, selling 92,689 copies in its first week.[1]

Contents

Background

The song was written by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Ed Drewett. 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 video premiered on radio on 17 September 2011.

Live Performances

They performed the song on the X Factor Results Show on 16 October 2011. They also performed it on Strictly Come Dancing: The Results on 30 October 2011.

Composition

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."[3]

Critical reception

A positive reception came from "CBBC Newsround" who rated it four out of five stars. Their went to say that "The verses aren't that catchy, but the chorus will get you humming in a (lightning) flash!." Their also said that "the rousing singalong chorus is well worth waiting for."[3] 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]

Music video

The music video was created by Director X, the same director who produced the video for Glad You Came. 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

  1. "Lightning" – 3:23
  2. "Lightning" (Chuckie Remix) – 5:43
  3. "Lightning" (Alias Remix Radio Edit) – 3:29
  4. "Glad You Came" (Live) – 3:20
  1. "Lightning"
  2. "Lightning" (Chuckie Remix)
  3. "Lightning" (Alias Remix Radio Edit)

Chart performance

Chart (2011) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 51
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 5
Scotland (The Official Charts Company)[10] 2
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[11] 2

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Australia 14 October 2011 Digital download[12] Global Talent Records, Universal Island Records
Ireland Digital download, CD single
United Kingdom 16 October 2011 Digital download[6]
17 October 2011 CD single[7]

References

  1. ^ http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1047133
  2. ^ "Hot Video Alert: The Wanted - Lightning" (Press release). Music Is My Kingsize Bed. 4 October 2011. http://musicallyinclinedfool.blogspot.com/2011/06/hot-video-alert-wanted-glad-you-came.html. Retrieved 8 October 2011. 
  3. ^ a b "Review: The Wanted - Lightning". CBBC Newsround. http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/15170955. Retrieved 17 October 2011. 
  4. ^ Corner, Lewis (18 October 2011). "The Wanted: 'Lightning' - Single review". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a345956/the-wanted-lightning-single-review.html. Retrieved 18 October 2011. 
  5. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQyHyfLp5NI&feature=player_embedded
  6. ^ a b http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/lightning-ep/id466004431
  7. ^ a b http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=387941
  8. ^ http://www.aumreport.com/amr100.html
  9. ^ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association.
  10. ^ "Archive Chart". Scottish Singles Top 40. The Official Charts Company.
  11. ^ "Archive Chart" UK Singles Chart. The Official Charts Company.
  12. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/lightning-single/id471823607
The Wanted
Studio albums
Singles
"All Time Low" · "Heart Vacancy" · "Lose My Mind" · "Gold Forever" · "Glad You Came" · "Lightning" · "Warzone"
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