As well as Rod Argent, the other original members (most come from Hertfordshire, England) were drummer Robert Henrit and bassist Jim Rodford (later members of the Kinks) and guitarist/keyboardist Russ Ballard, who contributed to several compositions through the group's career (curiously some of Ballard's compositions became hits when they were covered by other bands, like Rainbow or Santana). When Russ Ballard left in 1973, his place was taken by guitarist and vocalist John Verity and guitarist John Grimaldi and there followed a period of intense recording and touring until the band decided to come off the road late in 1976.
The original Argent lineup re-united at the High Voltage Festival in Victoria Park, London, on July 25, 2010. They undertook a short five date concert tour in December 2010, with gigs in Frome, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Leamington Spa and London.
Thunder and Lightning
Argent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That the only way to move is down
You're feeling fine, looking like a king
Then you turn around and you're painted like a clown.
Nights you feel you're about to win
The gold in your pocket turns to tin.
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
You play the game and you just can't lose
And you're walking with your feet off the ground
Every ball seems to hit the net
Every penny that you save becomes a pound.
Just when you find peace of mind
Just look around and what do you find?
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
Well you play the game and you just can't lose
And you're walking with your feet off the ground
Every ball seems to hit the net
Every penny that you save becomes a pound.
Just when you find peace of mind
Just look around and what do you find ?
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
In Argent's song "Thunder and Lightning," the lyrics describe the highs and lows of life. The verses take the listener through two scenarios, one where everything seems to be going well ("times when you're feeling so good") and another where everything seems to be going wrong ("nights you feel you're about to win"). The chorus emphasizes these ups and downs through the repetition of "thunder and lightning striking again and again and again and again" and "striking me down."
The lyrics convey the idea that even when things seem to be going well, there is always the possibility that they could turn around and go wrong. The metaphor of thunder and lightning represents this unpredictability and the power that can come with it. The line "you're feeling fine, looking like a king, then you turn around and you're painted like a clown" embodies this idea. It suggests that success can quickly turn to failure, and we can be left feeling ridiculous and powerless.
It is possible to interpret the song as a cautionary tale urging the listener to be aware of life's unpredictability and to not get too comfortable when things are going well. The use of repetition in the music and lyrics creates a sense of inevitability. The idea that thunder and lightning will strike "again and again and again and again" reinforces the notion that life is full of ups and downs, and we must be prepared for both.
Overall, "Thunder and Lightning" is a powerful song that conveys a universal message about the unpredictability of life. The use of the metaphor of thunder and lightning creates a sense of power and inevitability that reinforces this message.
Line by Line Meaning
There are times when you're feeling so good
That the only way to move is down
You're feeling fine, looking like a king
Then you turn around and you're painted like a clown.
Sometimes, you may feel everything is going great and you are on top of the world, but suddenly, something happens that brings you back down and makes you look foolish.
Nights you feel you're about to win
The gold in your pocket turns to tin.
There are instances where you may feel like you are about to succeed, but instead, you end up losing everything you had.
Thunder, lightning, striking again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
Metaphorically, thunder and lightning represent unexpected events that can repeatedly knock you down and prevent you from moving forward.
You play the game and you just can't lose
And you're walking with your feet off the ground
Every ball seems to hit the net
Every penny that you save becomes a pound.
Sometimes, everything just goes your way, and it feels as though you cannot lose. You feel like you are on top of the world, and every little thing you do results in success.
Just when you find peace of mind
Just look around and what do you find?
As soon as you feel content and at peace with your life, something unexpected will happen to throw you off balance.
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
The repetition of thunder and lightning emphasizes the continual and repetitive nature of unexpected events that knock you down and prevent you from moving forward, even when everything seems to be going well.
Well you play the game and you just can't lose
And you're walking with your feet off the ground
Every ball seems to hit the net
Every penny that you save becomes a pound.
Reiteration of the fact that sometimes, you feel invincible and like every little thing you do leads to success.
Just when you find peace of mind
Just look around and what do you find?
As soon as you feel content and at peace with your life, something unexpected will happen to throw you off balance.
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
Reiteration of the fact that unexpected events can continuously knock you down and prevent you from moving forward.
Contributed by Aria W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@smokinjz
There are times when you're feeling so good
That the only way to move is down
You're feeling fine, looking like a king
Then you turn around and you're painted like a clown.
Nights you feel you're about to win
The gold in your pocket turns to tin.
Thunder, lightning, striking again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
You play the game and you just can't lose
And you're walking with your feet off the ground
Every ball seems to hit the net
Every penny that you save becomes a pound.
Just when you find peace of mind
Just look around and what do you find?
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
Well you play the game and you just can't lose
And you're walking with your feet off the ground
Every ball seems to hit the net
Every penny that you save becomes a pound.
Just when you find peace of mind
Just look around and what do you find?
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
Correct lyrics
@smokinjz
There are times when you're feeling so good
That the only way to move is down
You're feeling fine, looking like a king
Then you turn around and you're painted like a clown.
Nights you feel you're about to win
The gold in your pocket turns to tin.
Thunder, lightning, striking again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
You play the game and you just can't lose
And you're walking with your feet off the ground
Every ball seems to hit the net
Every penny that you save becomes a pound.
Just when you find peace of mind
Just look around and what do you find?
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
Well you play the game and you just can't lose
And you're walking with your feet off the ground
Every ball seems to hit the net
Every penny that you save becomes a pound.
Just when you find peace of mind
Just look around and what do you find?
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
Thunder (thunder, thunder, thunder) lightning (lightning, lightning, lightning)
Striking (striking, striking, striking) again and again and again and again
Thunder and lightning striking me down.
@ianmcnicol6425
Went into a record shop in the 70s and they put this on...came at me from about 6 speakers...loud.. and it was incredible. Thanks for posting.
@davidwaterhouse6291
Hey Ian, I bought the album Nexus from which this track is on. It's a cracker! Did you go to Marple Grammar?
@nikolaosmosxakis3395
VERY VERY WELL............................................................................................................................................................................
@tonnyjanssens2096
Eén van de beste albums van de 70's!
@johnh3298
I love thé confident swagger of this tune
@tonypowell250
My favourite Argent song.
@Wolfspiderxl
Struck down ,by the awesome sound of Argent
@manoharanarumugam2488
One can understand coming from Malaysia if Argent, the Nexus album or this song got no airtime or publicity whatsoever but in the West as well? Looking at the number of hits, it's obvious this song remains 'undiscovered'. As a teen, I happened to chance upon the album and bought it simply because the pictures looked cool on the covers. I live in Australia now and still have this album with me. Thunder & Lightning is one of my favourites. It still is a pile driver after 40 years and will remain so. Also check out 'Gonna Meet My Maker' from the same Nexus album.
@felixnass4867
The guitarist was the producer of the debut Album from my favorite Metal Band Saxon!!! This song is killer! Prog Pop Rock..i think..anyway....great music from 1974.....born 1974!!
@kerrylondon8631
Graduation 1974 HS. Happy 50th Birthday Music Fan Of Right On Band. Argent... Si Bueno 🔊 👂