AC/DC - THUNDERSTRUCK

Llançament: 10 de setembre de 1990

Àlbum: The Razors Edge

“Thunderstruck” és una de les cançons més icòniques d’AC/DC, llançada com a primer single de l’àlbum “The Razors Edge”. S’ha convertit en una fixa als concerts, interpretada gairebé a cada xou des de la seva publicació. De fet, és una de les quatre úniques cançons post-“Back in Black “ que la banda encara toca en directe.

Escrita per Angus i Malcolm Young, va ser un dels grans èxits del retorn d’AC/DC. La lletra gira al voltant de la potència i l’energia, i Angus Young va explicar que buscaven un títol similar a “Powerage” o “Highway to Hell”. Van acabar escollint “Thunder” perquè transmetia una sensació elèctrica i poderosa, en sintonia amb l’estil de la banda. Un rumor deia que Angus havia escrit la cançó després de sobreviure a un llamp durant un vol, però ell mateix va aclarir que tot va començar amb un truc de guitarra que va desenvolupar i que Malcolm va complementar amb una part rítmica.

El riff d’introducció és un dels més famosos d’AC/DC. Segons “The Story of AC/DC: Let There Be Rock”, Angus va gravar-lo amb totes les cordes tapejades excepte la B, per aconseguir el seu so característic. Brian Johnson va explicar que Angus havia de practicar-lo cada dia, ja que era “una maleïda bogeria” de tocar en directe.

El senzill va tenir un èxit massiu, ajudant AC/DC a recuperar popularitat després d’uns anys més tranquils. El crit de “Thunder!” recorda l’himne de l’era Bon Scott “T.N.T.”, mentre que la veu aguda de Brian Johnson reforça l’energia de la cançó. Quan el riff principal entra cap als tres minuts, el tema arriba al seu màxim esplendor rocker.

El videoclip, dirigit per David Mallet, es va gravar al Brixton Academy de Londres el 17 d’agost de 1990. Per aconseguir un efecte visual unitari, tot el públic portava samarretes d’AC/DC gratuïtes amb la frase “I was Thunderstruck” al davant i la data del concert al darrere.

AC/DC - THUNDERSTRUCK

Released: September 10, 1990

Album: The Razors Edge

“Thunderstruck” is one of AC/DC’s most iconic songs, released as the lead single from their 1990 album “The Razors Edge”. It has become a setlist staple, performed at nearly every show since its release. Aside from new material, it is one of only four post-Back in Black songs that the band still plays live.

It was written by Angus and Malcolm Young and became one of AC/DC’s biggest comeback hits. The lyrics were built around the idea of power, with Angus Young explaining that they wanted a title similar to “Powerage” or “Highway to Hell”. They settled on “Thunder” because it had a strong, electrifying feel, fitting perfectly with AC/DC’s high-energy style. While a story circulated that Angus wrote the song after surviving a lightning strike on a plane, he later clarified that it actually started as a guitar trick that he developed and showed to Malcolm, who added a rhythm part to complete the song.

The opening riff is one of AC/DC’s most famous, and according to The Story of AC/DC: Let There Be Rock, Angus taped up all strings except the B-string to create the distinctive sound. Brian Johnson recalled that Angus had to practice the riff multiple times daily before performing, calling it a “fucking nightmare” to play live.

The song was a massive success, helping AC/DC regain momentum after a few quieter years. The chant of “Thunder!” recalls the band’s Bon Scott-era anthem T.N.T., while Johnson’s high-pitched vocals add to the song’s electrifying energy. When the main riff fully kicks in around the three-minute mark, it delivers a moment of pure rock exhilaration.

The music video, directed by David Mallet, was filmed at London’s Brixton Academy on August 17, 1990. To create a unified visual effect, the entire audience wore free AC/DC T-shirts that read “I was Thunderstruck” on the front and had the date printed on the back. 

JOURNEY - LOVIN’, TOUCHIN’, SQUEEZIN’

Released: June 25, 1979

Charts: US: #16 

“Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” is a 1979 single from the “Evolution” album, and the first Journey Top 40 hit in the U.S., peaking at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song tells a story of betrayal and karma, with the narrator being cheated on by a woman, who later faces the same fate from her new lover. When she returns seeking comfort, the narrator rejects her, delivering the line: “Now it’s your time, girl, to cry.” The track also gained renewed attention after being featured in the pilot episode of Glee.

“Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” was written by Journey’s lead singer Steve Perry and is based on his personal experience of heartbreak after seeing his girlfriend kiss another man. Describing it as “love justice,” Perry channeled his emotions into the song’s raw lyrics and sorrowful tone. The song features a memorable fade-out of “na na na”s, symbolizing speechless heartbreak. 

A music video directed by Bruce Gowers was also released, and the track helped mark Journey’s steady rise in both chart performance and mainstream success.

 

JOURNEY - SEPARATE WAYS (WORLD APART)

Released: January 4, 1983

Charts: US: #8 

“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” is a 1983 single by Journey from their album Frontiers. It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the top spot on the Top Tracks chart for four weeks. Written by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain during a tour, originally worked out on a small Casio keyboard in a hotel room. The band finalized the song at soundcheck and debuted it that same night, receiving an enthusiastic response despite incomplete lyrics. The song was inspired by the emotional toll of life on the road—specifically the divorces of bandmates Neal Schon and Ross Valory. Perry and Cain aimed to turn that pain into something meaningful, resulting in a powerful anthem about heartbreak and resilience.

The music video, shot on a New Orleans wharf, became iconic for its “air band” style, with members pretending to play instruments. Though the band disliked making videos, they understood MTV’s impact and let directors take creative control. On set, tensions rose due to Perry’s girlfriend, Sherrie, objecting to another woman playing his love interest.

The song gained renewed popularity in 2022 after a dark, haunting remix by Bryce Miller was used in the Stranger Things Season 4 trailer, leading it to chart again digitally.

JOURNEY - ONLY THE YOUNG

Released: January 7, 1985

Charts: US: #9 

“Only the Young” is a song by Journey, written by Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, and Neal Schon. Originally recorded for their 1983 “Frontiers” album, it was removed last-minute and first released by the band Scandal in 1984. Journey’s version later appeared on the “Vision Quest” soundtrack and became a Top 10 hit in the U.S.

“Only the Young” is an anthem celebrating the power, freedom, and clarity of youth. It portrays young people as bold, insightful, and unafraid to question the world around them. The repeated line, “Only the young can say they’re free to fly away,” captures the sense of limitless possibility that defines youth. The song acknowledges their passions, dreams, and the fire that drives them, presenting youth not just as a time of life, but as a powerful force of hope, truth, and change.

The song holds emotional significance for the band after they shared it with 16-year-old fan Kenny Sykaluk, who was terminally ill with cystic fibrosis. Journey visited him in the hospital through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, playing the unreleased track just before his passing. Deeply affected by the experience, the band began using the song as the opener for their Raised on Radio tour in his honor.

T.REX - HOT LOVE

Publicació: 12 de febrer de 1971

Classificació al Regne Unit: #1 (durant 6 setmanes)

“Hot Love” va ser un autèntic moment cultural que va marcar l’inici de l’era glam rock i va convertir Marc Bolan en el pioner indiscutible del moviment. Llançada el 12 de febrer de 1971, la cançó va arribar al número 1 de les llistes britàniques el 14 de març, mantenint-se al capdamunt durant sis setmanes consecutives. Va ser el primer número 1 de T. Rex al Regne Unit i va encendre el fenomen conegut com a “T. Rextasy”, que va arrasar arreu del país. Sexy però innocent, dolça però amb actitud — “Hot Love” no només va dominar les llistes, sinó que va capturar l’esperit d’una generació.

Després de l’èxit de “Ride a White Swan”, “Hot Love” mostrava un so més polit i apte per a la ràdio — combinant el lirisme fantasiós de Bolan amb tornades enganxoses, un ritme de rock and roll i un toc incipient del que esdevindria el segell característic del glam: brillantor, extravagància i carisma.

Les actuacions de “Hot Love” a Top of the Pops el març de 1971 van ser llegendàries. La transformació de Bolan — d’un cantautor psicodèlic a una icona glam — es va consumar quan va aparèixer a l’escenari amb roba de setí lluent i maquillatge brillant als ulls. Aquest estil, creat per la dissenyadora Chelita Secunda, es va convertir en una imatge emblemàtica i va desencadenar una revolució estètica.

La versió original de “Hot Love” es va emetre per primera vegada a la BBC Radio 1 al desembre de 1970 amb una interpretació més lenta i despullada. No obstant això, la versió definitiva — enregistrada als Trident Studios a finals de gener de 1971 — era més refinada, addictiva i pensada per arribar al gran públic.

Tot i que no va tenir el mateix impacte als Estats Units — on només va arribar al número 72 al Billboard Hot 100 i al 54 a la llista de Cash Box — la cançó va ser molt ben rebuda al Regne Unit, amb elogis per la seva energia contagiosa i el carisma creixent de Bolan com a estrella del pop.

T.REX - HOT LOVE

Released: February 12, 1971

UK #1 (6 weeks)

“Hot Love” was a cultural moment that ushered in the era of glam rock and made Marc Bolan the pioneer of the movement. Released on 12 February 1971, the track soared to #1 on the UK Singles Chart, holding that spot for an impressive six weeks starting 14 March 1971. This made it the first UK chart-topper for T. Rex and truly ignited the “T. Rextasy” phenomenon that swept Britain. Sexy yet innocent, sweet but swaggering—“Hot Love” didn’t just top charts; it defined a generation.

Following the success of “Ride a White Swan”, “Hot Love” showcased a more refined, radio-friendly sound—blending Bolan’s whimsical lyricism with catchy pop hooks, a rock and roll rhythm, and hints of what would become glam’s signature sparkle. 

The Top of the Pops performances of “Hot Love” in March 1971 were nothing short of iconic—Marc Bolan’s transformation from psychedelic folkie to glam rock trailblazer was complete the moment he stepped onto the stage in shiny satin and glittering makeup. Styled by Chelita Secunda, this was the first time Bolan appeared on television with that now-legendary sparkle under his eyes, an aesthetic that would spark a cultural revolution.

Though the original version of “Hot Love” aired in December 1970 on BBC Radio 1 as a stripped-down, slower rendition, the final version—recorded at Trident Studios in late January 1971—was slicker, catchier, and tailor-made for mass appeal.

While it didn’t replicate its UK success in the United States—only reaching #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #54 on the Cash Box chart—the song was a critical darling in the UK, with many praising its infectious energy and Bolan’s growing star power.