"Thunder" is a song recorded by English boy band East 17, released on 23 October 1995 by London Records as the first single from their third album, Up All Night (1995). It was written by band member Tony Mortimer, who co-produced it with Ian Curnow, Phil Harding and Rob Kean. The song achieved success in many countries, including Belgium (Wallonia), Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK, where it was a top-10 hit. Its music video was directed by Francis Ridley, featuring the band performing at an indoor set, where it later begins to rain.
Critical reception Victoria Segal from Melody Maker noted the "bizarre fantasia" of 'Thunder'. A reviewer from Music Week gave the song three out of five, writing, "A bland, lyrically-lacking rehash of all the elements which has made East 17 so successful. But it's catchy enough to create a stir." Pan-European magazine Music & Media described it as "a theatrical ballad with a great melodic hook." John Robinson from NME commented, "Continuing the preoccupation with meteorological phenomena that began with 'Let It Rain', this is East 17's gothic ballad. Featuring extensive use of those slightly annoying DUM-DUM-DUM-DIDDLY-CRASH drum fills from Phil Collins' first batch of My Wife Left Me records, 'Thunder' finds the lean 'Teen out among the elements being called by a distant rumble to an intriguing and no doubt even sexual liaison under purple skies where the wild horses roam." Mark Frith from Smash Hits gave it a top score of five out of five, writing, "This is the finest record ever made. It is moving, dramatic, classic, catchy and genuinely wonderful. [...] After repeated listenings, 'Thunder' still maintains its impact, and is as classy as 'Deep' and 'Stay Another Day'."
Track listings CD single "Thunder" (Radio Edit) – 4:16 "E-17 - Overture Medley" * (Live Steam Tour '95) – 9:28
CD maxi "Thunder" (Radio Edit) "E-17 - Overture Medley" (Live Steam Tour '95) "Thunder" (Video Mix) "Thunder" (Lightning Mix)
Cassette "Thunder" (Radio Edit) – 4:16 "E-17 - Overture Medley" * (Live Steam Tour '95) – 9:28
* Contains "Let It Rain", "Stay Another Day", "House of Love", "Gold", "It's Alright", "Be There"
Credits Written by Anthony Mortimer Artwork by E.17/Form Photography of the band by Lawrence Watson Photography of the Cloud by Comstock, Inc.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1995–1996)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)"Thunder", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 4 April 2009)36Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 75)19Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)13Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)8 Airplay (Music & Media)20Denmark (IFPI)9Estonia (Eesti Top 20)4Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)6Europe (European AC Radio)11Europe (European Hit Radio)6Europe (Channel Crossovers) 2France (SNEP)13France Airplay (SNEP) 31Germany (Media Control)6 Airplay (Music & Media)3Greece (IFPI Greece) 2Hungary (Mahasz)1 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)39Indonesia (IFPI)5Ireland (IRMA)Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved 4 April 2009)3Israel (IBA) Search "East 17" for Israeli chart history.3Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "East 17".21Italy Airplay (Music & Media)8Japan International (Oricon)12Latvia (Latvijas Top 20)2Lithuania (M-1)1Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)19Netherlands (Single Top 100)21Norway (VG-lista)7 Airplay (Music & Media)7Scotland (OCC)5Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio)33Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)22Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade)5UK Singles (OCC)"Thunder", UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved 4 April 2009)4UK Airplay (Music Week) 15
Year-end charts Chart (1995)PositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)89Israel (IBA) Scroll to top of the page and click "Annual" then "1995 Year End Chart".9Latvia (Latvijas Top 50)33Norway (VG-lista) 9UK Singles (OCC)31 Chart (1996)PositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)90Latvia (Latvijas Top 50)37
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom23 October 1995LondonAustralia20 November 199527 November 1995CD digipakJapan1 December 1995CD
References