Musicians Danny Bowes, Harry James, and Luke Morley worked together in the 80s-era [tab]blues outfit Terraplane. After experiencing what Morley has called "a 'eureka' moment", the guys devised a high-energy British rock project directly inspired by the likes of Bad Company, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin. The aptly named Thunder spent a year or so in constant touring and gradually built a positive reputation that helped its debut album, named Backstreet Symphony, reach a wide audience. Released 4 April 1990 by EMI / Geffen, it became an international success. The album didn't just get RIAA certified as 'Gold' but earned them a spot on BBC's 'Top of the Pops', playing their hard-edged version of "Gimme Some Lovin'" to a global audience. A well-received performance at Castle Donington's 'Monsters of Rock' event before gigantic crowds brought it home to the guys how far they'd broken through.
After touring with female-fronted rockers Heart and other artists with the same style, the guys prepared the second album, which they ominously titled Laughing on Judgement Day. Despite their deliberately 'retro' sound quite unlike the alternative and post-punk trends of the time (or, in fact, precisely because of their sticking to their guns), their sophomore album achieved even more success. Released on 24 August 1992, it proved an even bigger hit in the U.K. than their debut, reaching the number two slot on the nation's top albums chart. Its singles include "Everybody Wants Her" and "Low Life in High Places", the titles alone showing Thunder's interest in classic rock n' roll hedonism.
Bassist "Snake" Luckhurst left the band citing 'personal differences', a move that wasn't just Thunder's first line-up change but a sign of future turmoil to come. He got replaced by Swedish musician Mikael Höglund, and the band went on to record their third album, 1995's Behind Closed Doors, before facing a dilemma with their label. Finding that "most of the people who'd been there at the beginning of our tenure had moved on", as Morley put it, as well as that talk of a contract extension had terms that they simply couldn't accept, Thunder jumped from EMI.
Despite being championed by U.S. contemporaries such as Aerosmith and Guns n' Roses, the guys still faced a tough time making a lasting impact 'across the pond'. Though focused on pumping out more and more material, Morley later remarked that the mid-90s found Thunder "suffering from 'hamster in the wheel' syndrome". Mikael Höglund was unavailable for recording the band's fourth album, called The Thrill of it All, and so the 1996 release had bass duty left with Morley. For the subsequent tour, the band recruited bassist Chris Childs, who stayed with the band to record their fifth album. Although Giving the Game Away, released in 1999, earned a positive fan response, it had become totally clear how Thunder had disconnected from a record industry whose connected network of radio stations, TV networks, and music magazines dismissed the guys' sort of melodic hard rock as either endangered or extinct.
In Autumn of that year, the group announced an upcoming split, and their final tour concluded in May 2000. Still, Thunder's interest in new technology and the continuing camaraderie felt among the band's members meant that they didn't drop off the radar. After being given a slot in the 2002 'Monsters of Rock' shows, Thunder decided to return in 2003 with a new album, titled Shooting at the Sun, which the guys released on their own record label. Fully embracing the internet's ability to unite hard rock fans across the globe, 2005 resulted in the band's seventh album, aptly titled The Magnificent Seventh! by the guys. It earned praise from many critics, with musicOMH writer Neil Daniels remarking that the "terrific return to form" seemed like "a hard-hitting giant but with fists of steel and cast iron balls".
Feeling vindicated, the group's album managed to produce a return to the top 40 singles charts and spawned a bunch of live performances. After two well-received tours in 2006, with many gigs completely selling out, and two gleeful experiences in Japan, the band captured that live feel in the DVD Thunder Go Mad in Japan. The release included a documentary piece following the band's situation setting everything up and trying to sort out all of the traveling. That year additionally saw the guys releasing their eight studio album, titled Robert Johnson's Tombstone, which featured nods to the musicians' early history before Thunder's very formation. Receiving acclaim from critics and fans alike, some even claimed that the album was Thunder's best studio release yet. A U.K. tour took place at the end of November 2006, with the band extending things into shows in Europe as well.
The 2000s represented not only a period of frequent touring but also increasing musical activities by the guys outside of the band. Thunder's career renaissance continued with a 2008 studio album, which the guys simply titled Bang!, and the group's appearance with Def Leppard and Whitesnake at multiple gigs that same year. The group had found itself coming up to its twenty-year anniversary. Although not experiencing the same kind of personal conflicts or debates about musical direction that many of their contemporaries had, Thunder still appeared to have reached a kind of inflection point. In early 2009, the guys announced plans to split for the second time. Final tours and festival appearances occurred throughout the rest of the year. A well-received compilation album, called simply The Very Best of Thunder, came out as well that year.
Luke Morley stressed "only a fool would say never" when it came to talk of getting back together at some point. Still, he'd gotten focused on other endeavors and particularly dedicated himself to working on The Union, an outfit formed with musician Peter Shoulder (formerly of Winterville). Featuring a blues and soul drenched sound, that band has achieved significant critical acclaim. Other ex-Thunder members perused similar projects. Drummer Gary "Harry" James, for example, played with progressive rockers Magnum (including on their popular 2011 release The Visitation).
Thunder briefly reunited for the 'High Voltage Festival', held in Victoria Park, in 2011. Though expressing their reluctance to formally get back together, the guys agreed to future shows together, including a December performance at Nottingham's 'Rock City' venue. They intermittently took to the stage as the 2010s went on yet remained committed to their alternate projects.
In 2015, however, Thunder announced a full return with an upcoming studio album of new material. A tongue-in-cheek collective statement cited "a rather silly amount of knob-twiddling and string-pulling" as the final inspiration. The release of Wonder Days earned a warm response from critics and fans alike (the fellows at Classic Rock magazine, for example, naming it one of the year's 11 best albums), and multiple gigs got announced to preform the new material. 2017's Rip It Up was also well-received (the record's #3 spot on the U.K. Albums Chart was the highest the band reached for over two decades). This was followed with an acoustic selection, Please Remain Seated, after which the band promised to return to the "full throttle sound of Thunder" for the next studio record.
Delayed due to the pandemic situation, that full throttle new album was released in March 2021, All The Right Noises.
UK rockers Thunder will be releasing a new double album titled Dopamine on April 29, 2022.
Official Website: http://www.thunderonline.com/
2) - Thunder was additionally used by an obscure funk-based Southern rock band from the U.S. Their 1974 self-tiled album picked up some attention but failed to break through commercially. It's hard to find information about the group, but a bit is known given how it served as a stepping stone in the career of popular Texan singer-songwriter and guitarist John Nitzinger. The 1974 album is described on Discogs.com here.
3) - Thunder is the name of a defunct Pagan Black Metal band from Poland, formed in 1994.
4) - Thunder is the name of a German heavy metal band, that released 'All I Want' in 1984.
Miracle man
Thunder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A need for something more
Your pockets are loaded down
But your spirit's surely poor
I'm the solution you need
You don't know it now
But I'm the interface
Between you and higher power
You much do you want it?
How much can you give?
I can make you better
Teach you how to live
Take you to the river
Wash you sins away
I head with my hands
I'm a bona fide miracle man
That's what I am
Whatever your pain is
Trust me, I can make it right
I'm a witness
I was born with second sight
A contribution will help me light the way
Salvation is just a debit card away
Lift you from the fire
Raise you to the sky
Ease your guilty conscience
Ease your troubled mind
Pull you from the wreckage
Heal your broken life
You know that I can
I'm a sharp-shooting miracle man
Yes I am
You better believe it
I sit at God's right hand
I'm a miracle man
To the non-believers
Calling me a fake
I say repent now
Before you make a big mistake
Hell and damnation
Is a price you're gonna pay
If you don't leave
While you can now
It might go to trade
You much do you want it?
How much can you give?
I can make you better
Teach you how to live
Take you to the river
Wash you sins away
You know that I can
I'm a miracle man
That's what I am
Lift you from the fire
Raise you to the sky
Ease your guilty conscience
Ease your mind
Pull you from the wreckage
Heal your broken life
I heal with my hands
I'm part of God's great plan
I'm a fast talking miracle man
Yes I am
You better believe it
I sit at God's right hand
I'm a miracle man
In Thunder's song "Miracle Man," the lyrics contain a message of someone who is desperately seeking help for their troubles, while the singer of the song presents himself as the solution, a "miracle man." The person the singer is singing to may appear to have everything they need materially, but the singer recognizes their spiritual poverty. The singer claims to be the interface between the person and a higher power, offering to provide salvation to them for a contribution. The singer believes that he can lift them out of their fire and pain, heal them, and offer them a new life.
The song is reflective of the idea of "snake oil salesmen," or those who prey on vulnerable individuals, particularly those who are seeking healing or salvation. The lyrics suggest that the "miracle man" knows that his listeners are looking for something more, and he is taking advantage of that longing to gain something from them. The line, "salvation is just a debit card away," reveals the manipulative nature of the singer's message. By paying for his services or offerings, the individual can attain salvation and healing.
The song's chorus repeats the idea of the singer as a miracle man, reinforcing his power and authority. The song's overall message suggests that one should be wary of people who present themselves as having all the answers, particularly those who ask for payment. It also reveals the lengths to which some individuals will go to exploit and manipulate others.
Line by Line Meaning
You know that I see it in you
I recognize your need
A need for something more
You require greater fulfillment
Your pockets are loaded down
You have material wealth
But your spirit's surely poor
Your spiritual self is lacking
I'm the solution you need
I have the answer for you
You don't know it now
You are unaware of this solution
But I'm the interface
I serve as the intermediary
Between you and higher power
Connecting you to a divine force
How much do you want it?
What is your level of desire?
How much can you give?
What are you willing to offer?
I can make you better
I have the ability to improve you
Teach you how to live
I can guide you to a better existence
Take you to the river
I will lead you towards a renewing experience
Wash you sins away
Purify yourself of wrongdoing
I heal with my hands
My touch has restorative powers
I'm a bona fide miracle man
I am a true miracle worker
Whatever your pain is
Regardless of your struggles
Trust me, I can make it right
Have faith in my ability to correct things
I'm a witness
I have seen and experienced great things
I was born with second sight
I possess extrasensory perception
A contribution will help me light the way
Donating will further my mission
Salvation is just a debit card away
Buying into my teachings is all it takes
Lift you from the fire
Save you from destruction
Raise you to the sky
Elevate you to greatness
Ease your guilty conscience
Relieve you of shame
Ease your troubled mind
Alleviate your stress and worry
Pull you from the wreckage
Rescue you from disaster
Heal your broken life
Restore your existence to wholeness
I'm part of God's great plan
My role is ordained by divine will
I'm a fast talking miracle man
I am a persuasive and impressive miracle worker
To the non-believers
Addressing those who doubt my abilities
Calling me a fake
Accusing me of being fraudulent
I say repent now
I urge you to change your ways
Before you make a big mistake
Or else face dire consequences
Hell and damnation
The punishment of eternal suffering
Is a price you're gonna pay
I am warning you of the costs of disbelief
If you don't leave
If you do not abandon your doubt
While you can now
Before it is too late
It might go to trade
Your chance at salvation may slip away
Yes I am
Affirming my identity as a miracle worker
You better believe it
You should have faith in my abilities
I sit at God's right hand
I am a divine figure
Contributed by Alexandra A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gregg Feingold
US radio and promoters missed out on these guys. Still amazing. Danny's voice is just outstanding.
bornagain bornagain
His voice is like a fine wine, gets better with age. Remarkable sound.
AnakinA1
Great as always. Glad the boys are still together doing their thing.
MarkoRollo
May the force be with them, I'm unfortunately old enough to remember them when they first started in about 89. I was 14, Backstreet Symphony was my most played cassette at that time, along with Whitesnakes Slip Of The Tongue. Forgot about them for a while but rediscovered them a couple of years ago. Glad they're still around, still one of the best.
no_xqcc
One of the greatest bands of my life...great song writers!!!
Leka 72
i was searching some great old Thunder songs, going down memory lane. One of the best bands ever, finding new stuff, great stuff, amazing!
wolfgang
fantastic band ! i like them since they started !
Mael Schatten
Que música boa
Shark Monk
When fire still burns deep.... These guys are epitome of good band.
Shane Krueger
Awesome!