"Lightnin' Strikes" is a song written by Lou Christie and Twyla Herbert, and recorded by Christie on the MGM label. It was a hit in

1966 Events January * January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko. * January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...

, making it first to No. 1 in Canada in January 1966 on the '' RPM'' Top Singles chart, then to No. 1 in the U.S. on the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

Hot 100 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streaming ...

in February, No. 3 on the New Zealand ''Listener'' chart in May, and No. 11 on the UK ''Record Retailer'' chart.

RIAA The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

certification on March 3, 1966, garnering gold status for selling over one million copies.

Personnel

The song was arranged, conducted, and produced by Charles Calello and was recorded on September 3, 1965. The song featured backing vocals from Bernadette Carroll, Peggy Santiglia and Denise Ferri of

The Delicates The Delicates, were an American three-girl singing group, made up of members Denise Ferri, Arleen Lanzotti, and Peggy Santiglia. The group was formed in 1958 while all three members were attending Elementary School No. Eight, in Belleville, New ...

. Session personnel included Joe Farrell and George Young on baritone sax; Ray DeSio on trombone;

Stan Free Hot Butter were an American instrumental band fronted by the keyboard player and studio musician Stan Free. The other band members were John Abbott, Bill Jerome, Steve Jerome, and Danny Jordan and Dave Mullaney. They were best known for their 19 ...

on piano; Lou Mauro on bass; Charlie Macy, Ralph Casale, and Vinnie Bell on guitar; and Buddy Saltzman on drums. Ralph Casale's "stuttering" guitar solo was an overdub.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

1965 songs 1965 singles 1966 singles Songs written by Twyla Herbert Songs written by Lou Christie Lou Christie songs Jan and Dean songs Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles Cashbox number-one singles RPM Top Singles number-one singles MGM Records singles {{1960s-single-stub