Pop Music

The song “Lightnin’ Strikes” was written by Lou Christie and his long-time associate songwriter/psychic Twyla Herbert.  (She was a clairvoyant and claimed that they would have hit songs together.) Christie recorded it and released it as a single with “Cryin’ In the Streets” was the B-Side. He also released it on his “Lightnin’ Strikes album. By 1966, the single first went to #1 in Canada, then #1 in the U.S. and #11 in the U.K.  It went to #9 in Australia.  “Lightnin’ Strikes” sold more than one million copies and was awarded an RIAA gold record. It was fun Sixties popular music.

Charles Calello arranged, conducted and produced it. (Calello was in Frankie Valli’s group The Four Lovers but left before it was The Four Seasons. He did arrange for them, starting in 1962.) Backup singers for the track included Peggy Santiglia, Bernadette Carroll, and Denise Ferri. Instrumentation was provided by Joe Farrell and George Young (baritone sax), Ray DeSio (trombone); Stan Free (piano), Lou Mauro (bass), and Buddy Saltzman (drums) with guitarists Charlie Macy, Ralph Casale, and Vinnie Bell.

Here are the lyrics to “Lightnin’ Strikes” by Lou Christie:

“Listen to me, baby, you gotta understand
You’re old enough to know the makings of a man
Listen to me, baby, it’s hard to settle down
Am I asking too much for you to stick around?

Every boy wants a girl
He can trust to the very end
Baby, that’s you
Won’t you wait?
But ’til then

When I see lips beggin’ to be kissed
(Stop)
I can’t stop
(Stop)
I can’t stop myself
(Stop, stop)

Lightning’s striking again
Lightning’s striking again

Nature’s takin’ over my one-track mind
Believe it or not, you’re in my heart all the time
All the girls are sayin’ that you’ll end up a fool
For the time being, baby, live by my rules

When I settle down
I want one baby on my mind
Forgive and forget
And I’ll make up for all lost time

If she’s put together fine
And she’s readin’ my mind
(Stop)
I can’t stop
(Stop)
I can’t stop myself
(Stop, stop)

Lightning’s striking again
Lightning’s striking again
And again and again and again

Lightning’s striking again
Lightning’s striking again

There’s a chapel in the pines
Waiting for us, around the bend
Picture in your mind
Love forever, but ’til then

If she gives me a sign
That she wants to make time
(Stop)
I can’t stop
(Stop)
I can’t stop myself
(Stop, stop)

Lightning’s striking again
Lightning’s striking again
And again and again and again
Lightning’s striking again
And again and again and again”

For more songs by Lou Christie: “The Gypsy Cried” and “Two Faces Have I,” both of which are on Pass the Paisley’s sister site The Daily Doo Wop.

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ commercial free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “LIghtnin’ Strikes” by Lou Christie.