At that time, she recorded a number of songs that appeared years and years later on the album 'See It Through My Eyes'. Before too long, Brooks joined the rock group The Graces. Though only an underground success, the band recorded and released the well-received album 'A Perfect View' in 1989.
In the wake of the enormous popularity of solo rocker Alanis Morissette in 1995, Brooks landed a major label contract with Capitol Records. She was nearly 39 years old before having her first hit single, titled "Bitch", come out in 1997. The single broke her into the mainstream in a huge way, garnering her a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. 'Blurring the Edges' achieved multi-platinum sales and peaked at #22 on the Billboard 200, her fan base growing internationally. She toured in the U.S. and Europe in 1997 and 1998 to support the album.
Brooks recorded her second major release, titled 'Deconstruction' in 1999. The aptly titled album represented a stylistic and thematic shift away from the melodic alternative rock style of 'Blurring the Edges'. Due to a flood of records by female musicians at the time and the record label's decision to have her tour in Europe instead of promoting in the U.S., the album sold poorly, many fans also feeling uncertain about her new sound. Interestingly, Brooks originally wrote the song "Sin City", which appears on this album, for the Nicolas Cage fronted thriller film 'Snake Eyes', directed by her friend Brian De Palma.
In 2002, Brooks worked on her third solo album Bad Bad One on Gold Circle Records, an independent label. Immediately after releasing the album, the label folded and prevented the record from getting promoted or achieving significant sales. Track 11 - 'Shine' - was released as the lead single
The label's demise also interrupted her tour with Melissa Etheridge that summer, causing her and the band to return early to Los Angeles. Also in 2002, Brooks produced Jennifer Love Hewitt's album, BareNaked, and appeared on the VH1 Divas Las Vegas program as a guest guitar soloist with Celine Dion and Anastacia.
In 2004, Brooks signed a new contract with the SLG Records label and released the material of Bad Bad One as Shine. Television psychologist Dr. Phil chose the song "Shine" as the theme for his show.
As of August 2005, Brooks was working on a children's album titled If I Could Be... and continuing to develop new artists as a producer and songwriter.s.
Thunder and Lightning
Meredith Brooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the sky is gray
I watch the rain fallin' on LA
Hey, it's a little like
But I know I'll never be the same
Hey, I'm thinkin' of you
I don't know if I've lost or gained
Yeah, just a little like
Chorus:
Thunder and lightning
Striking my heart again
Thunder and lightning
Steamy midnights on the phone
You're telling me you're all alone
Then you say
"I'd like to see you"
I don't care if it's truth or lies
I hear your voice and I'm hypnotized
Hey, it's a little like
Yeah, just a little like
Oh, is it pleasure or pain
(Chorus)
Is the thunder just frightening
When you're kissing me
Is this the way love begins
It's like thunder and lightning
(Chorus)
Thunder and lightning
Striking my heart
Burning my soul
Thunder and lightning
In Meredith Brooks's song "Thunder and Lightning," she sets a melancholy scene by describing the thin trees and gray sky amidst the rain falling in Los Angeles. She seems to be in a reflective mood, thinking of someone whom she's not sure if she's gained or lost. The chorus repeats the phrase "Thunder and lightning, striking my heart again," creating a metaphor for the conflicting emotions and intensity of her feelings.
The second verse depicts a steamy late-night phone call from the person she's been thinking about. Although they claim to be alone, she doesn't know if what they're saying is true or not. She admits to being hypnotized by their voice, and the chorus ties back into the theme of the unpredictability and intensity of love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Thunder and Lightning" convey the idea that love can be both exhilarating and painful, and that the intensity of these emotions can be as unpredictable as a thunderstorm.
Line by Line Meaning
The trees are thin
The environment is barren and devoid of too many distractions
And the sky is gray
The sky is gloomy and depressing
I watch the rain fallin' on LA
Observing the natural calamity happen in the city
Hey, it's a little like
The feeling is somewhat similar
But I know I'll never be the same
The experience will undoubtedly change her
Hey, I'm thinkin' of you
She cannot help but reminisce about someone who is dear to her heart
I don't know if I've lost or gained
It's tough to tell if her emotions are making her better or worse
Yeah, just a little like
She only feels remotely similar to whatever is happening around her
Thunder and lightning
The chaos and confusion of emotions that she feels
Thunder and lightning
A metaphor for the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of her heart
Striking my heart again
Her heart is gripped by uncontrollable tumult
Steamy midnights on the phone
Talking for hours on the phone at night-time
You're telling me you're all alone
The other person expresses their vulnerability and loneliness to her
Then you say 'I'd like to see you'
The other person expresses their desire to be with her in person
I don't care if it's truth or lies
She is willing to accept deceit if it means she can be with the person she desires
I hear your voice and I'm hypnotized
The captivating nature of the other person's voice deeply affects her
Oh, is it pleasure or pain
She is not sure whether the emotions she is feeling are good or bad
(Chorus)
Repetition of the refrain
Is the thunder just frightening
Is the chaos in her heart scary
When you're kissing me
Emotions flare up even more when they are intimate
Is this the way love begins
This chaos and confusion may be the first signs of love
It's like thunder and lightning
Love is being compared to a natural disaster
Striking my heart
The intensity of her emotions is almost unbearable
Burning my soul
Her emotions are almost too much to bear
Thunder and lightning
Her heart feels out of control
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MEREDITH ANNE BROOKS, WILLIAM D. BURNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind