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SongFacts: Lightning Crashes - Live
Posted on 1/7/25 at 4:46 pm
Posted on 1/7/25 at 4:46 pm
One of the more recognizable, quintessential 90s songs. I always wondered what the real meaning behind the song was. Some speculated abortion, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
This is one of those songs that I can remember the first time I ever heard it, on a ski trip with a youth group in Colorado circa 95. Good times.
This is one of those songs that I can remember the first time I ever heard it, on a ski trip with a youth group in Colorado circa 95. Good times.
quote:
Lightning Crashes
LIVE
The band dedicated this to Barbara Lewis, one of their high school friends who was killed by a drunk driver around the time this song was written. Her brother in-law Cory told us the story:
The song's lyrics are mostly an analogy. Barb donated several organs, including her heart. She was close with Ed and the guys and died in a car collision with a fleeing armed robber. These lyrics are constantly misunderstood! Yes, Ed is speaking to the circle of life, but specifically to how Barb's life gave new life to many. The angel, the baby down the hall, the pale blue eyes (of Barb), the pain ("confusion")... the lyrics are wholly Ed's interpretation of his experience and perception of Barb's impact. Our family has become close with the most genuine and caring man who is still alive today (over 10 years later), who has Barb's heart beating in his chest! "Lightning Crashes" literally lives on.
At their concerts in the late 1990s, Live dedicated this to the victims of the tragedy at Columbine High School.
This was the biggest hit off the album and of Live's entire career. Throwing Copper was produced by Talking Heads guitarist Jerry Harrison.
"I wrote 'Lightning Crashes' on an acoustic guitar in my brother's bedroom shortly before I had moved out of my parents' house and gotten my first place of my own," Live lead singer Ed Kowalczyk recalled to Spin magazine.
The music video, which depicts one woman dying while another gives birth, has caused some confusion among fans. Ed explains: "While the clip is shot in a home environment, I envisioned it taking place in a hospital, where all these simultaneous deaths and births are going on, one family mourning the loss of a woman while a screaming baby emerges from a young mother in another room. Nobody's dying in the act of childbirth, as some viewers think. What you're seeing is actually a happy ending based on a kind of transference of life."
Live opened their set at Woodstock '94 with this song, around six months before it was released as a single.
5
Posted on 1/7/25 at 5:06 pm to Ranger Call
I really never get tired of this song. I really didn’t think that the lyrics were difficult to understand, but I didn’t know about the specific incident that inspired them.
Posted on 1/7/25 at 5:39 pm to Ranger Call
I was really big into Live back in the day. Really liked all of their music. Overcome and Pain lies on the riverside were favorites.
Posted on 1/7/25 at 5:47 pm to Z Cavaricci
White, Discussion
Posted on 1/7/25 at 5:52 pm to Ranger Call
quote:
Ed Kowalczyk
On a side note, this guy was one of the biggest dick bags around in the 90s... from both everything Ive read and personal accounts..
Posted on 1/8/25 at 7:50 am to TFTC
Deets?
Posted on 1/8/25 at 7:51 am to High C
quote:
I really never get tired of this song. I really didn’t think that the lyrics were difficult to understand, but I didn’t know about the specific incident that inspired them.
I don't get tired of it either, The opening guitar lick is instantly recognizable, and the song builds momentum throughout. Damn good 90s tune.
Posted on 1/8/25 at 8:07 am to Ranger Call
Great Song! One of my favorite
And great band
And great band
Posted on 1/8/25 at 8:52 am to Ranger Call
Back when this song came out, and it was everywhere, I saw a cover band perform it - it may have been at The Caterie.
When the singer sang the line "her placenta falls to the floor" the drummer did a quick roll on the floor tom. The crowd started laughing. The singer shot the drummer a look like he was saying "I fricking told you not to do that shite." The song almost fell apart because the bass and guitar players were laughing so much.
When the singer sang the line "her placenta falls to the floor" the drummer did a quick roll on the floor tom. The crowd started laughing. The singer shot the drummer a look like he was saying "I fricking told you not to do that shite." The song almost fell apart because the bass and guitar players were laughing so much.
Posted on 1/8/25 at 9:02 am to boxcarbarney
Awesome! 
That's the type of shows I saw at The Caterie as well.
That's the type of shows I saw at The Caterie as well.
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