I don’t recall where or when I first heard “Like Lightning” by Canadian indie pop/folk singer-songwriter Matthew Barber. But the metadata in my Apple Music library tells me I bought the track from the iTunes Store on the morning of December 25, 2015. A little Christmas present to myself, I suppose.
Since then, the song has been a favourite and a resident on a couple of playlists like Bday Party, and because of its spritely, uptempo melody, it kicks off my Car/Trainer Tunes playlist, the one I listen to if feeling the need for a bit of motivation on an indoor bike trainer ride.
Most recently, the track came on random play on YouTube while I was working on last week’s post on Band of Horses’ “Ode to LRC.” So I figured it was about time I shared this magnificent song.
I believe Barber is writing about how love can be turbulent and fierce, like the weather analogies he uses in the lyrics. At the same time, he seems to acknowledge that love is an incredible power with many positive forces. I think he wrote the song as a kind of vow to recommit to it, knowing he will make mistakes in the future, as we all do.
“My love it is like lightning
It’s there and then it’s not
And if you’re standing close to it be careful ’cause it’s hot
And lightning never strikes twice
So careful where you stand
And wear your rubber booties if I’m not your kind of man
And I need to think things over
I need to think things through
But I’m through with thinking so I’ll underline the overview
I’d like to talk to you dear
But you can read my mind
So I’ll save my breath for blowing one more chance of a lifetime
My love is like the wind dear
It whistles when it’s strong
And whenever it dies down it doesn’t stay that way for long
It’s known to change direction
It’s known to swirl about
It’s known to cause destruction so lookout, lookout, lookout
And I need to think things over
I need to think things through
But I’m through with thinking so I’ll underline the overview
I’d like to talk to you girl
But you can read my mind
So I’ll save my breath for blowing one more chance of a lifetime
I’ve been having this dream where I’m floating on the breeze
And everywhere I stop is where I wanna be
But I never stick around to see the scenery
Oh, is it me or just some stupid dream, some stupid dream
My love is like the ocean
And the waves are crashing in
It takes some getting used to but it gets warmer once you’re in
So from here to the horizon
My love it overflows
It has no fear and no regrets or so the story goes
And I need to think things over
I need to think things through
But I’m through with thinking so I’ll underline the overview
I’d like to talk to you girl
But can read my mind
So I’ll save my breath for blowing one more chance of a lifetime”
“Like Lightning,” by Matthew Barber.
Unofficial lyrics courtesy of Cancioneros.com.
The song is so fast-paced, it seems like the guitarist may only have remembered to perform the solo in the outro, with the final chord’s decaying the only sound as the track finishes. (I’m kidding.) It’s a fantastic song, or a banger, as Guy Garvey might say if featuring it on his BBC 6 Music program, Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him play it, so maybe it is time for a Songs for Guy recommendation!
“Like Lightning” comes from Barber’s fourth studio album, Sweet Nothing (2005). I’ve previously shared one other song of his, a 2016 collaboration with sister Jill Barber, “I Must Be in a Good Place Now,” a song that shows his alternative country influences. If you don’t know the song, please check out the post. It’s a slow waltz type of song, not one for the bike trainer like today’s selection, but a beauty nonetheless.
Now you know a little about why this is My Song of the Day for Today. Thanks for joining me here, and please enjoy.
Here’s the audio for the song from the Matthew Barber YouTube topic channel:
My Song of the Day for Today 