While it wasn't officially released as a commercially purchasable single in the United States, the song received enough radio airplay to peak at the #12 position on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay music chart in 1995. The song also topped the Billboard Album Rock Tracks (10 weeks) and Hot Modern Rock Tracks (9 weeks) charts also in 1995. Because it was not released as a commercial single in the United States, it was ineligible for the Billboard Hot 100. Despite this, the song is considered to be the biggest hit of Live's career.
The song was also a top 40 hit in the United Kingdom. The U.K. single was released in several formats and versions.
The band dedicated the song to Barbara Lewis, a 19 year-old friend of the band who was killed in 1993 by a drunk driver who was fleeing from the police after a robbery in York, Pennsylvania. Barbara had many of her organs donated including a liver to a 10 month old baby, and the song lyrics reflect how her death enabled others to continue living.
Lightning Crashes
Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her placenta falls to the floor
The angel opens her eyes
The confusion sets in
Before the doctor can even close the door
Lightning crashes an old mother dies
Her intentions fall to the floor
The angel closes her eyes
The confusion that was hers
Belongs now to the baby down the hall
Oh now feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
Lightning crashes a new mother cries
This moment she's been waiting for
The angel opens her eyes
Pale blue colored iris
Presents the circle
Puts the glory out to hide, hide
Oh now feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
I can feel it
Oh, I
Oh, I
Oh, I
I can feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
I can feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
I can feel it, coming back again
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it
I can feel it
I can feel it
The song "Lightning Crashes" by Live is a powerful and emotional depiction of the cycle of life and death. The opening lyrics describe the experiences of two different mothers - one giving birth to new life, while the other passes away. The dramatic imagery of lightning crashing and a placenta falling to the floor heightens the intensity of these events. The mention of an angel opening and closing her eyes implies a spiritual dimension to what is happening.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I can feel it, coming back again" several times, building on the idea that life and death are recurring and cyclical events. The forces pulling from the center of the earth again suggest that these cycles are part of a larger, natural order. The addition of the line "like a rolling thunder chasing the wind" adds a sense of urgency and mystery to this idea.
In the final verse, the focus returns to the new mother giving birth. The repeating "oh, I" lines suggest a personal connection or intense emotion that the singer is experiencing. The pale blue colored iris mentioned in the lyrics may symbolize the fragility and preciousness of new life. The final line "puts the glory out to hide, hide" could be interpreted in many ways - perhaps it speaks to the challenges and struggles that come with new life, or the idea that even in the midst of joy, there is always some pain or sorrow.
Overall, "Lightning Crashes" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking song that tackles themes of life, death, and spirituality in a unique and poetic way.
Line by Line Meaning
Lightning crashes a new mother cries
The sudden realization of new life and the accompanying emotions of joy and fear overwhelm a mother giving birth.
Her placenta falls to the floor
The physical elements of birth are a brutal reminder of the fragility of life.
The angel opens her eyes
The birth of a child is a miraculous event.
The confusion sets in
The reality of new responsibilities and changes that come with motherhood can be overwhelming.
Before the doctor can even close the door
The pace of life is relentless, and change follows change with no respite.
Lightning crashes an old mother dies
Death is sudden and unforgiving, the end of a long journey.
Her intentions fall to the floor
Death brings an end to all plans and aspirations.
The angel closes her eyes
Death is a natural part of life, a return to the eternal.
The confusion that was hers
The confusion and disorientation that comes with death is a personal experience, unique for each individual.
Belongs now to the baby down the hall
Birth and death are two sides of the same coin, the beginning and the end of life.
Oh now feel it, coming back again
Change is a constant in life, a cycle that repeats itself endlessly.
Like a rolling, thunder chasing the wind
Life moves forward with unstoppable force, like a storm that rages across the land.
Forces pulling from the center of the earth again
Life is an expression of the power and energy of the universe, emerging from the depths of the planet.
I can feel it
The singer is acutely aware of the cycles of life, and feels them deeply within himself.
This moment she's been waiting for
The birth of a child is a pivotal moment in a mother's life, filled with expectation and hope.
Pale blue colored iris presents the circle
The newborn's eyes represent a new beginning, a fresh start for the cycle of life.
Puts the glory out to hide, hide
The overwhelming beauty and complexity of life can sometimes be too much to bear, and we seek solace and shelter.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chad Alan Gracey, Chad David Taylor, Edward Joel Kowalczyk, Patrick Dahlheimer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@badhabit31
Dear person whoever reads this,
Hey, you, yes, I am talking right to you. I hope you will see yourself with the eyes I see you one day, because I can tell you have some awesome music taste :) You’re such a beautiful human being and worth and enough. I hope you know that you do only need yourself to be happy, I know society build up the standard that whenever you’re alone you’re not living a happy live. But in fact that is not true, if you start to realize that you actually deserve all the good things happening to you, you will treat yourself a lot nicer. I hope you let yourself rest, don’t beat yourself up over past mistakes, over regret, and over everything your mind wants to destroy you. I wish I could remove all those demons inside of your head because you deserve to feel happy. If you ever feel lonely then watch the sky, because you know, someone, at the same time is watching the sky too, maybe feeling the same way..I am glad you exist and I hope you won’t ever remove your own spot in this world, maybe you don’t feel like you belong here but, Angel, then build your home here. I don’t want you to leave this world unhappy. I want you to live every little second, I want you to feel alive, I don’t want you to see yourself just existing. You deserve it. Whatever happened, it’s not your fault, the demons in your head recognize that you have a beautiful heart, they want to take it because they have never seen such beautiful heart as yours, so why let them win over you? . You’re not selfish for isolating yourself, but you deserve to talk to someone. If you’re reading this than please never forget to breath and smile.
Don’t live up to other standards! It’s your story and not theirs.
Life for those who couldn’t, smile for those who forgot what a genuine smile is, love like there’s no other, hug like its your last one.
I love you and send you hugs.
You’re so strong, you’re still here, and I am proud of you.
YOU ARE NOT USELESS. READ THAT AGAIN.
YOU ARE WORTH IT. READ THAT AGAIN.
YOU ARE LOVED. READ THAT AGAIN.
I AM GLAD YOU EXIST. READ THAT AGAIN.
YOU ARE NOT A PROBLEM. YOU ARE HUMAN AND YOUR FEELINGS ARE VALID. READ THAT AGAIN.
YOU ARE NOT BEING DRAMATIC.
You’re not a burden to anyone, don’t be afraid to talk, to use your voice.
I WISH I COULD HUG YOU RIGHT NOW, SO A VIRTUAL HUG WILL DO.
@ncpbenjamin92
Shout out to all those still rocking this song here in 2024 🤘
Nothing quite like listening to it laying in the dark at 1am.
@jimdshea
I just saw them play this tonight. They kicked ass.
@joshcantrell9701
100% not wrong 🤘🤘
@ncpbenjamin92
@@jimdshea No way! Whereabouts did you see them?
Been a dream of mine to see them in person 😭
@jimdshea
@@ncpbenjamin92 They are playing catch-up shows that got cancelled because of COVID last fall. It was supposed to be "Unplugged," but it certainly wasn't. So there are some of those shows right now you might be able to catch.
They are also touring with (I think Incubus) this summer.
I also saw them with BUSH at Woodstock amphitheatre a few years back and they stole the show.
Still have it for sure.
@jaysoncruz5644
Still in my everyday playlist for 10 years
@taniadee14
Truth: you're on a nostalgia binge just like me.
@lanecasey6416
Stop and let me remember the good music before reminding me it’s gone.
@ReverendBrown.
Weather Channel brought me here. True story.
@phxtonash
@@lanecasey6416 9