Released: August 1, 1982

Songwriter: Richard Supa Jimmy Crespo Steven Tyler

Producer: Tony Bongiovi Jack Douglas Steven Tyler

[Verse 1]
The boys and Dukes are ready to rumble
The word on the street some heads are gonna tumble
Blades gonna flash when the street gangs clash
In this avenue tonight

[Chorus 1]
When the lightning strikes

[Verse 2]
Zip gun Johnny's finger is itching
Oh the lid's gonna blow up in hell's kitchen
It's an eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
They're so ruthless when they fight

[Chorus 1]
When the lightning strikes, ooh

[Verse 3]
And it's a free for all in the parking lot
Tell me who will rule the street
And the night explodes
When the cops bring down the heat

[Chorus 2]
And the chains they crash like thunder
While the weak ones all retreat
Gotta draw first blood
Or they'll read your funeral rights

[Chorus 1]
When the lightning strikes

[Verse 4]
Um, it's dog eat dog when you're meeting your rival
In the combat zone it's a means of survival
Gonna get last licks on a suicide blitz
On a cloak and dagger night

[Chorus 1]
When the lightning strikes

[Verse 5]
Ooh, it's a free for all in the parking lot
Over who'll rule the street
And the night explodes
When the cops bring down the heat

[Chorus 2]
And the chains they crash like thunder
While the weak ones all retreat
Gotta draw first blood
Or they'll read your funeral rights

[Instrumental Break]

[Outro]
When the lightning strikes
When the lightning strikes
When the lightning strikes
Can't you hear the thunder
When the Lightning Strikes
Can't you hear the thunder
When the lightning strikes
Can't you, can't you, can't you hear the thunder
When the lightning strikes
Can't you, can't you, can't you hear the thunder
When the lightning strikes
Can't you, can't you, can't you hear the thunder
When the lightning strikes
Can't you, can't you, can't you hear the thunder
When the lightning strikes

Aerosmith

Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as “The Bad Boys from Boston” and “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Formed in 1970, its founding members are Steven Tyler (vocals, keyboards, harmonica), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), Joe Perry (guitar, vocals) and Brad Whitford (guitar).

The band released their eponymous debut studio album in 1973 featuring the single “Dream On,” which remains one of their most popular songs. Their next four albums made them rock stars across the US and Canada, spawning the hits “Sweet Emotion”, “Last Child”, “Walk This Way”, “Back In The Saddle”, “Draw The Line”, and a cover of “Come Together” for the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Soundtrack.

Before the release of their fifth album Draw The Line, the band’s substance abuse began to destroy them. Perry quit after a backstage fight with Tyler in 1979, and Whitfield left two years later. Despite moderate sales, the band’s fifth and sixth albums were considered flops when compared to the band’s past accomplishments. When Perry and Whitfield returned in 1984, their eighth album Done With Mirrors was also deemed unsuccessful despite strong reviews. Doug Herzog (MTV, VH1)