Thunder and Lightning
The Madness Lyrics


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Don't look back or make a sound
Or change your mind in any way
I wouldn't want to turn you round
Even if I thought you'd stay

You take me further than I ought to be

Then thunder and lightning
When it's over
Then thunder and lightning
Turn me over

I had to get up and out take a walk in the dark
To clear my mind for the very last time
Washed away in the cold blue rain
I know where I'm from and I know where I'm going to
Say goodbye for the very last time
Washed away in the cold blue rain

Stop thief making off with my heart
Even if I caught you so
While she tears me apart
Turn around to see her go

Then thunder and lightning
When it's over
Then thunder and lightning
Turn me over

Don't look back or make a sound
Change your mind in any way
I don't want to turn you round
Even if I thought you'd stay

[Repeat: x 2]
Then thunder and lightning
When it's over




Then thunder and lightning
Turn me over

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Thunder and Lightning" by The Madness contain powerful emotional imagery that reflects the conflicting emotions of a person who is grappling with inner turmoil after being betrayed and hurt. The first four lines of the song represent a plea for the person who has caused the hurt to leave and not look back. They acknowledge the fact that the relationship might be over and there is no point in trying to save it. The singer of the story doesn't want to persuade the person to stay, even if he thought it was possible.


In the following verse, the singer takes a lonely walk in the dark to clear his mind, and as he does so, he remembers where he came from and where he is going. The cold blue rain symbolizes the harsh reality that he must face alone, without the person he loved.


The chorus is a powerful metaphor for the emotional turmoil that the singer experiences. Thunder and lightning are used to represent the intensity of the emotional storm he is going through. The line "Turn me over" represents the singer's need for a fresh start, a new beginning where he can forget the pain of the past and move on.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't look back or make a sound
Don't turn around or make a noise


Or change your mind in any way
Don't alter your decision in any manner


I wouldn't want to turn you round
I wouldn't try to change your mind


Even if I thought you'd stay
Even if I wanted you to stay


You take me further than I ought to be
You lead me into a situation that is beyond my comfort level


Then thunder and lightning
Then a chaotic storm happens


When it's over
After the chaos subsides


Turn me over
I am completely overwhelmed by the situation


I had to get up and out take a walk in the dark
I had to leave in the middle of the night to reflect


To clear my mind for the very last time
To achieve complete clarity of thought for the final time


Washed away in the cold blue rain
The heavy rain washes away my sorrow


I know where I'm from and I know where I'm going to
I am aware of my past and future


Say goodbye for the very last time
This is the final goodbye


Stop thief making off with my heart
Stop someone from stealing my heart


Even if I caught you so
Even if I apprehended you


While she tears me apart
While someone is breaking my heart


Turn around to see her go
Watch someone leave


[Repeat: x 2] Then thunder and lightning When it's over Then thunder and lightning Turn me over
Repeat the chorus




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CATHAL JOSEPH SMYTH, CHRISTOPHER FOREMAN, CHRISTOPHER JOHN FOREMAN, GRAHAM MCPHERSON, LEE JAY THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@philnewton-england7795

Absolutely loved the way the band with their later albums....& ESPECIALLY this one. Fantastic sound & superbly written songs.

@jamo2047

such a great song and very good album.

@marcelosilvain2783

Es un gran disco. Moderno para ese año

@darrenb8974

Interesting fact for the discerning gentleperson - Mrs Suggs also did a song called "Thunder and Lightning" with top band "Deaf School". Two great songs.

@Pogmeister76

This should have been the single - first or second - not What's That.

@karenleroux6500

madness aka MIS, suggs double gave me a ultra electronics ccard at LM, thanks got a big pay raise to go to GE Suggs and mr happy are a pair of Happy Valley tossers lol

@karenleroux6500

sonic boom, raf tornardo

@daboyjukes1366

WHY

@karenleroux6500

flip out

@ZeldaFitz

Sounds so synthetic. The really weak sounding drum machine on this album is awful. To be fair this isn’t a bad song, unfortunately nobody was listening back in 1988.

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