Released 27 April 2012 Recorded 2011 Length 2:23 | Format Digital download Genre Indie folk, skiffle Label Mercury Records | |
"Lightning Bolt" is a song by English singer-songwriter Jake Bugg. It was released on 27 April 2012 in the United Kingdom via digital download, the third from his self-titled debut studio album Jake Bugg (2012).
Contents
Released as a single on 24 December 2012, it reached No. 26 in the UK Singles Chart in the week beginning 13 January 2013. It was Bugg's first UK Top 40 single and remains one of his biggest hits and more recognisable songs.
Style and content
The "Lightning bolt" of the title represents a sudden and unexpected situation in which the singer finds himself, a burst of fortunate events. The chorus describes the singer as someone who takes everything that has been put on the plate for him, he doesn't force it "I just stand by and I wait my time". But he will take the chance when it comes his way "when I see the signs I jump on that lightning bolt". He doesn't want to be one of those people who "walk with gritted teeth", "toe the line", the ones who don't take chances and believe there aren't any answers.
The lightning bolt could also represent love at first sight:
"Met her as the angels parted for her She only brought me torture That’s what happens When it’s you that's standing in the path of a lightning bolt."So by "taking chances" the listener could assume he means "taking chances in love".
The song has been described as "reminiscent of early Beatles hits" and as "was likened to Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and early Dylan. Writing for the Sabotage Times, Joe Mardon said:
It chugs along with a quick acoustic beat matched by an instantly classic vocal delivery of fast paced lyrics, recalling "Subterranean Homesick Blues". You know straight away that Bugg's got something and repeat the song, twice last night, a further three times this morning. The smile returns every time.
Quick research reveals that Jake Bugg, bred on one of the UK's largest council estates in Nottingham, has only just turned eighteen. It's a fact that is, quite frankly, ridiculous.
He's a wordsmith in the Dylan sense of the word, painting pictures of the estate he grew up in, and the hope of getting out.
Music video
An accompanying music video, lasting two minutes and thirty seconds, was first released on YouTube on 18 May 2012. By October 2016 it had received over 13.5 million hits.
The video was shot in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with some shots in Brussels, Belgium, and was directed by Michael Holyk, who also directed the video for Bugg's "Trouble Town".
In popular culture
The song gained prominence in the UK after it was used as the backing-track to a recording of the 100m win by Usain Bolt at the 2012 London Olympics. Interviewed in October 2012 on BBC Radio Nottingham, Bugg confirmed that the song "had no relevance to the Olympics", but that he thought "it was great that they used it".
In April 2013 Bugg performed the song live at the offices of Billboard'
The song featured in a Gatorade advertisement in early 2013 and in December 2013 also featured in an advertisement for British Airways.