Lightning Strikes
Aerosmith Lyrics


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The boys and the Dukes are ready to rumble
The word on the street some heads are gonna tumble
Blades gonna flash when streets gang clash
In the avenue tonight

When the lightning strikes
Zip gun Johnny's finger is itchin'
The lid's gonna blow up in hell's kitchen
It's an eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
It's so ruthless when they fight

When the lightning strikes
And it's free for all in the parking lot
And who'll rule the street
And the night explodes
When the cops bring down the heat

And the chains they crash like thunder
While the weak ones all retreat
Gotta draw first blood
Or they'll read your funeral rights

When the lightning strikes
It's dog eat dog when you meet your rival
And the combat zone it's your means of survival
Gonna get last licks on a suicide blitz
With a broken dagger knife
When the lightning strikes

And it's free for all in the parking lot
And who'll rule the street
And the night explodes
When the cops bring down the heat

And the chains they crash like thunder
While the weak ones all retreat
Gotta draw first blood
Or they'll read your funeral rights

Oh, oh
When the lightning strikes
When the lightning strikes
When the lightning strikes




Lightning and thunder
When the lightning strikes

Overall Meaning

The song "Lightning Strikes" by Aerosmith is a hard rock song that describes a street fight between two gangs. The lyrics describe the boys and the Dukes getting ready to rumble, and the word on the street is that some heads are going to tumble. The blades are going to flash and the streets will clash in the avenue that night. The song talks about the violence and ruthlessness of the fight with an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth mentality. The lightning strikes refer to the violence and chaos of the street fight.


The song also talks about the aftermath of the fight when the cops bring down the heat on the gangs in the parking lot. The chains crash like thunder while the weak ones all retreat. The song talks about the importance of being the first to draw blood, or else they'll read your funeral rights. The lyrics suggest that it's a dog eat dog world, and the combat zone is your means of survival. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase "when the lightning strikes," emphasizing the violence and chaos of the street fight.


Overall, the lyrics in "Lightning Strikes" depict a violent street fight and the ruthless mentality of the gangs involved. It's a high-energy song that emphasizes the chaos and danger of street life.


Line by Line Meaning

The boys and the Dukes are ready to rumble
The male youth and a gang are prepared to engage in a fight


The word on the street some heads are gonna tumble
There are rumors of violent consequences for some individuals


Blades gonna flash when streets gang clash
The gangs will use knives or other weapons during the fight


In the avenue tonight
The location of the gang fight is a street in the evening


When the lightning strikes
Referring to the inevitability and unpredictability of violence


Zip gun Johnny's finger is itchin'
A person named Zip Gun Johnny is eager to use a homemade gun


The lid's gonna blow up in hell's kitchen
The situation will become explosive and dangerous


It's an eye for an eye
The violence is retaliatory


And a tooth for a tooth
The punishment matches the crime


It's so ruthless when they fight
The violence is exceptionally brutal


And it's free for all in the parking lot
The fighting spreads to the parking lot where anyone can join in


And who'll rule the street
The individuals who win the fight will control the area


And the night explodes
The violence intensifies and escalates


When the cops bring down the heat
The situation becomes too hot for law enforcement to handle


And the chains they crash like thunder
The sound of the chains being used as weapons is loud and powerful


While the weak ones all retreat
Those who are not strong enough to fight run away


Gotta draw first blood
The first person to cause injury gains an advantage


Or they'll read your funeral rights
If you don't defend yourself, you will be killed


It's dog eat dog when you meet your rival
The situation is exceptionally competitive and vicious


And the combat zone it's your means of survival
The location of the fight is where people prove their ability to survive


Gonna get last licks on a suicide blitz
The final blow to the opponent will be decisive and harmful


With a broken dagger knife
The weapon being used is damaged, but still effective


Lightning and thunder
Repeating the title of the song as a reminder of the destructive nature of violence




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHIE SUPA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Kinnakeeter

This album deserves so much more respect. It's actually an excellent piece of music

@ronmerchantjr1851

Yes a fine album.got it when it came out.

@jospehmoore9288

My fav Aerosmith album

@magneto7930

A great album, I purchased it upon release!

@frankbartoszak7637

Well,with out a doubt rocks is not only the best Aerosmith album ever but also one of the best rock and roll albums ever,but this album is also great

@robertandyjustus

Really?... without Perry? or Whitford?

20 More Replies...

@DrTomoculus

Rock in a Hard Place is my favourite Aerosmith album. Severely underrated, but there is not one "bad" song on it.

@user-ox1dr9ct1z

It’s a good one for sure. But I personally think toys In The attic is better

@carlosruiz9446

Es buéno pero no se compara al Rocks...

@user-ox1dr9ct1z

@@carlosruiz9446 es bueno tambien (yo se un poco espanol)

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