Top 10 Songs About Thunder

The sound of thunder is perhaps one of the most terrifying sounds nature can produce. Despite that, it seems to bring with it a certain sense of power and awe. This is perhaps what inspired a handful of artists to write songs about thunder.

The next time rain is pouring heavily on your roof, and you can hear the thunder growling in the distance, here are some songs that might be perfect for the occasion. Be sure that you’re safe too.

Songs About Thunder

1. “Thunder” by Boys Like Girls

This song from Boys Like Girls is about a love story over the summer. Experiences of love during this time may be short and fleeting, but they are unforgettable, extraordinary, and vigorous. That’s probably why Martin Johnson likened it to thunder. The chorus goes;

“Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don’t wanna ever love another
You’ll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain
Bring on the thunder”

Johnson said that “Thunder” is like a promise to that person you loved over the summer that although the two of you might have ended up taking different paths in life, you will always cherish the love you had.

2. “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC

“Thunderstruck” from the album The Razors Edge was AC/DC’s song that propelled them back to the spotlight. Three of their previous albums didn’t sell as much as they wanted them to, but “Thunderstruck,” with its electrifying and thunderous riffs and melody, was what regained their traction.

Angus and Malcolm Young previously stated that the idea for the song came to them when the plane Angus was flying in was struck by lightning. Upon its release, the song has been used on multiple films and shows like Iron Man 2, Deadpool 2, Battleship, Supernatural, and New Girl.

3. “God of Thunder” by Kiss

The song “God of Thunder” was written by Paul Stanley (despite it being a signature song of Gene Simmons). He thought about how the Greeks and the Romans had numerous gods. He then wanted to be the God of Rock and Roll, which he personified as the God of Thunder.

4. “The Thunder Rolls” by Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks had once written a song called “Like a Hurricane” with Mark Sanders. As Brooks was listening to this song trying to find inspiration, one line, in particular, caught his attention which goes, “But in my heart, there’s a thunder rollin’.”

Producer Allen Reynolds then came up to him and said, “What if we write a song where every time this guy cheats on his wife, thunder rolls?” That’s exactly what the song is about.

“He’s headin’ back from somewhere
That he never should have been
And the thunder rolls
And the thunder rolls”

5. “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons

Dan Reynolds explains that this song is about looking back on all the challenges and negativities he’s faced in life and being thankful for all of it because it made him stronger, got him to where he’s at, and ignited a fire in his heart to create art.

“I guess I had a spark inside I couldn’t light when I was younger
Often times, I think you really need to fight to find the hunger
Lightning is the shine, but I, I’ve been working on the thunder”

6. “Heavy Metal Thunder” by Saxon

If you’re a huge fan of the heavy metal music scene, you probably already know that Saxon is one of the earliest and purest bands that play this genre. So, it’s not surprising that they’d write a song about a natural phenomenon that best describes the power and electrifying effect of heavy music.

“Heavy Metal Thunder” is a song about seeing yourself along with all these other people taking the world by storm. We can best find this interpretation in the last verse of the song;

“If you think something more
You’ll come down to the front
Don’t sit there and do as they say
We’re an army of thousands
Surrounded by light
Tearing this place to the ground”

This is also the title of a documentary of the band’s history; Heavy Metal Thunder: The Movie.

7. “She’s Thunderstorms” by Arctic Monkeys

Just as there are different levels and intensities of thunderstorms, Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys wants to portray that there are different types and intensities to a woman as well. He says that he was in New York at the time, and the storm was getting fiercer.

He thought that being likened to thunderstorms is both a compliment and an interesting way to describe someone. So, he wrote “She’s Thunderstorms” to portray the different faces of the girl.

8. “Thunder” by Jessie J

Jessie J does not openly talk about her religious beliefs, but you’d be surprised at how much it influences her art. In fact, her faith played a major role in writing and making her Alive album.

We’d often see artists using thunder as a metaphor for personal strength, life struggles, or even a woman. However, Jessie J’s “Thunder” is her dedication to her belief system and God. We can see this in the song’s bridge where Jessie sings;

“I was broken and starting to think that I should be ashamed
Trembling and nervous and naked, feeling afraid
Then you came and told me and showed to fight through the
Fight through the rain”

In the song’s music video, you will also see Jessie levitating because she says that’s what it feels like when you have faith. It’s as though you are being lifted to the light.

9. “Thunder on the Mountain” by Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is often viewed as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. He has won numerous awards both in music and writing, two of which are the Pulitzer Prize back in 2008 and the Nobel Prize in Literature back in 2016.

Now, imagine his incalculable contribution to the music and writing industry, and then try to imagine him writing a song about you. You probably won’t believe it, right? Well, that’s Alicia Keys’s initial reaction.

“Thunder on the Mountain” is a song written by Bob Dylan after seeing Alicia Keys at the Grammys. He thought to himself, “There’s nothing about that girl that I don’t like.” The lyrics of the song goes;

“I was thinkin’ ‘bout Alicia Keys, couldn’t keep from crying
When she was born in Hell’s Kitchen, I was living down the line
I’m wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be
I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee”

10. “Thunderstruck” by Owl City

“Thunderstruck” is Adam Young of Owl City’s attempt to write a story in an Edgar Allan Poe way. The song is about that floating feeling you get when you first fall in love where nothing can seem to hurt you, and the entire world is just beautiful.

The catch is that the persona in the song actually fell in love with a ghost. So, despite the love being strong, there was no way it could work. It’s like a beautiful tragedy.

Conclusion

Thunder brings so much power and force with it that it’s not surprising to find artists taking inspiration from this natural occurrence. Who knows? Maybe you’ll write your next song during the next thunderstorm, too.

If you want to know how to begin, maybe listening to these songs about thunder will help you out. So, happy listening, and stay safe out there!